May 5, 2009
By Danielle Earls

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE

Musical Inspiration Guides GW Graduating Senior to
First Place Win in Interior Design Competition

For many interior designers, a project without a budget would be the ideal creative experience.

Senior interior design student Charlotte Bravo, B.A. '09, had the opportunity when she entered the 2008 American Society of Interior Designers Student Design Competition and created an Art Deco luxury skybox. The semester-long independent study proved successful for Bravo as her design was selected as the first place winner from more than 100 entries.

The 2008 competition provided students with the chance to design a luxury stadium skybox and connecting loft space for the CEO of a major music recording company. The only requirements were the limits of the architectural space and a list of furnishings the client wished to incorporate into the area.

"I entered the competition because of the chance to go in a new direction. I had the freedom to do what I wanted and take full responsibility for the project," explained Bravo.

The creative process for Bravo included drawings and digital designs. She hand sketched her ideas to analyze the space and architectural elements of the skybox, then digitally recreated the sketches on a computer using modeling software.

"I decided to go with Latin music as the genre for my space. I drew much of my layout and decorative elements from the Art Deco style," said Bravo.  

After conceptualizing the design, it had to be presented visually for the competition and speak for the designer's creativity and ideas. Bravo entered seven boards in the competition, which included images of the skybox, as well as samples of the design elements and a short concept statement.

In addition to the first place honor, Bravo won a $2,000 cash prize. Her design will also be on display at Neo-Con 2009, the largest conference and exhibition for interior design.

Catherine Anderson, assistant visiting professor of interior design, provided support and direction for Bravo during the independent study course. Anderson said, "It is rare to have the opportunity to work with a student who takes on a project and extends themselves the way Charlotte did.  Her design abilities really strengthened with this competition; she truly impressed me."