Friday, February 20, 2026
For Hope Castillo, design has never been about perfection. It is about progress.
A Jacksonville native, Castillo will graduate in Spring 2028 with a degree in interior design from the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP). What started as a love for creativity has grown into a clear professional path, shaped and strengthened by her time in Gainesville.
Castillo is already putting her skills to use beyond the classroom. She recently began an internship with Plan.It.Design in Belmont, North Carolina, where she is developing concept boards and renderings on a commercial aquatics center project. The work is hands-on and client focused, exactly the kind of experience she says DCP prepared her for from the start.
Turning classroom lessons into career readiness
Castillo credits DCP’s focus on professional preparation and industry exposure as major reasons she feels confident stepping into the field early.
Through opportunities like the Industry Expo Career Fair, guest lectures and alumni connections, she has met practicing designers and firm leaders who offered honest insight into the profession. Conversations with professors and professionals helped her understand what design work really looks like, from managing client expectations to working through collaboration and feedback.
“All of my classes have prepared me for professional settings,” Castillo said. “They have given me both the technical and social skills I will use for the rest of my life.”
Her involvement stretches far beyond studio courses. Castillo has been a member of the Gator Interior Design Club for two years and recently joined the Rendering Club to strengthen her digital visualization skills. She has also worked with Gator Hospitality for the past two years, partnering with the University Athletic Association and Gator Boosters to serve premium areas at Gator sporting events. The experience sharpened her professionalism and taught her how to perform in fast-paced environments.
Learning that design is a process, not a finish line
One of the biggest lessons Castillo learned at DCP is that design is never really finished.
“A project is never really over,” she said. “There is always a way to improve it.”
As a self-described perfectionist, that idea was difficult to accept at first. Over time, it became transformative. Studio culture encourages students to rethink, revise and refine constantly, reflecting the realities of professional practice.
That shift became especially clear in her favorite course, Architectural Design 2 with Professor Breanna McGrath. The course cemented her passion for design and helped her feel grounded within the college. With encouragement from the teaching team, she gained the confidence to see herself not just as a student, but as a designer.
Designing with purpose
Castillo’s studio work reflects both growth and intention.
In her Tiny House Project, she worked on a beach site to create a calm, simple retreat. The limited space requirement of 360 square feet pushed her to think carefully about layout, efficiency and function while maintaining a sense of tranquility.
Later, her aging in place home project challenged her in new ways. Designing a forever home for a client with macular degeneration required close attention to universal design principles and accessibility guidelines. The project emphasized inclusivity, minimalism and a fluid architectural concept inspired by painterly movement. Balancing creativity with code was demanding, but it reinforced her belief that good design should serve everyone.
Powered by people and possibility
When asked about her favorite part of DCP, Castillo does not hesitate. It is the people.
Studio culture, long nights, group critiques and gallery pin ups have built strong connections within her cohort. She often finds inspiration walking through the galleries, stopping to look at work from interior design, architecture and landscape architecture students.
That sense of community reaches far beyond campus. Castillo describes the DCP alumni network as extremely important, pointing to graduates who have offered guidance, internship advice and professional connections across the country.
After graduation, she plans to move to Boston and work in hospitality or healthcare design. Long term, she hopes to open her own hospitality design firm in New England. She is also considering pursuing a Master of Architecture after gaining real world experience.
A success story in the making
Castillo keeps her advice to future students simple.
DCP is demanding, but effort matters.
“There will be tough times,” she said. “But the only way to truly fail is to quit.”
Her experience shows what can happen when determination meets opportunity. Through rigorous studio work, mentorship, hands on learning and a strong support network, UF and DCP have helped turn a driven Jacksonville student into a confident, career ready designer.
And she is only getting started.
