Ensign College's Interior Design students demonstrated their skills and talent at the 2024 International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Design Remix competition. The Remix competition is IIDA's largest event of the year. Each year challenges teams to create one-of-a-kind pieces using manufacturers' material samples, including tile, carpet, and fabrics. This year’s theme was derby hats and accessories.
Four of the thirteen competing teams had connections to Ensign College, showcasing the college’s contribution to the local design community. These teams included current students, alumni, and an adjunct faculty member, all bringing their unique perspectives and creativity to the derby-themed challenge.
"The Design Remix event is more than just a competition—it's an opportunity for our students to network with industry professionals and demonstrate their innovative thinking," says Zachary Marshall, ID program chair.
Two teams of current Ensign College students participated in the event, demonstrating remarkable dedication by working on their designs outside of their regular class schedules. The first team included Dasha Keefe, Dana Willis, Brenna Tison, and Emily Pryor and Casey Barney, who modeled the team's metamorphosis moth-styled derby hat.
The second student team included Lizzy Marquez, Kami Hatch, and Stacey Johnson, who modeled the curvilinear structured derby hat. A third team featured Ensign alumni Marisa Coggins and Halle Ellsworth, who currently work in the industry.
The evening's highlight came when a team led by Lara Teuscher, an Ensign College alumna and current adjunct faculty member, and Ashley Edwards, a recent graduate of the Interior Design program, and former program chair Heidi Plumb took home the competition's top prize, Best of Show. Their design featured an elaborate floral bonnet and train.
The IIDA Remix event is an annual event that not only bring students and industry professionals together, but serves the community through its silent auction fundraiser for Make-a-Wish Utah. Beyond the competition aspect, the Design Remix creates an atmosphere of camaraderie, with students cheering on other students and industry professionals supporting their colleagues.
The strong showing at the IIDA Design Remix event highlights Ensign College's commitment to practical, hands-on learning experiences that gives students real-world success in the interior design industry. Through events like these, students gain valuable networking opportunities while pushing the boundaries of their creativity and technical skills.