Our Graduates: Where are they now? Meet Joy Rich

Since graduating a year ago from Randolph Community College’s Interior Design program, I’ve gone to work for Sunpan Modern Home as a Showroom Design Assistant, for both their High Point and Las Vegas furniture showrooms. In addition, I assist with the design of our booth for the yearly Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas as well as international shows like the Shanghai Furniture Fair in China. It is a fast-paced environment when we’re preparing for a show, but I love the final push towards a deadline. Getting to collaborate with Rodney Smith, the showroom designer and manager (also an RCC alum), then watch our ideas transition to a completed project is terribly satisfying.

Until I started the program at RCC I had no idea that showroom design was an option for my career. As it turns out through my internship in the Hooker Furniture showroom and my previous work for a well-known furniture retailer, I learned that showroom design was the perfect career match for me. My main responsibility is to work with our product sourcing team to make sure that the items they choose to show are merchandised beautifully in our showrooms. We are constantly looking for ways to update our High Point and Las Vegas spaces to give Sunpan’s clients something fresh and unexpected when they visit. It is truly a career that keeps me looking forward to what is on trend and at the same time designing a space that helps our furnishings sell each market. I am living out my design dreams and loving every minute! 

Written and submitted by:  Joy Rich