Isabel Yi’s passion for interior design was on full display during her summer internship, which has given her the experience to thrive in her future career.
Yi is a University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning student, graduating in spring 2027 with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in dance. She spent the summer as an interiors intern at HKS Inc. in Orlando, Florida.
During her internship, Yi worked on projects across industries such as healthcare, education, sports and entertainment. Her responsibilities included ordering and organizing material samples, creating furniture and art schedules, collecting product specification sheets, creating Revit models to support project documentation and more.
HKS places a strong emphasis on professional development and company culture, allowing Yi to grow beyond just completing tasks.
“HKS is committed to becoming a leader in regenerative design, and through the firm’s support, I recently earned my first professional credential, the Living Future Accreditation (LFA). This experience has strengthened my understanding of designing spaces that prioritize environmental responsibility, human health and long-term resilience.”
Some of the most valuable parts of the internship for her were collaborating with her incredible coworkers, contributing to meaningful, real-world projects, seeing projects progress from concept to proposal and having the opportunity to present her portfolio to professionals in her office.
Yi has grown greatly as a designer and professional during her time at HKS.
She had several impactful experiences, such as helping design new student housing for Florida Gulf Coast University, touring the Dolphin Hotel renovation project at Disney and contributing to work on the Cleveland Browns Stadium project.
Yi has many aspirations for her future career, including working at a large commercial firm after graduation to gain experience in different commercial sectors. Afterwards, she plans to specialize in hospitality design.
At UF, Yi has taken part in many clubs and organizations, including volunteering with Rebuilding Together, being a member of the Gator Interior Design Club, volunteering with Project Makeover and more.
Yi is returning to DCP with practical knowledge and industry experience that will enhance her studio work and better prepare her for her future career.
Her education at DCP prepared her for this internship in many ways. This included building an interdisciplinary design foundation, learning professional practice knowledge and participating in studio culture.
“The rigorous studio environment at DCP taught me how to manage my time effectively, balance multiple deadlines and approach complex design challenges with confidence. It also strengthened my ability to collaborate with diverse teams and communicate ideas clearly, skills that have been essential during my internship at HKS.”
Since she was a child, Yi has dreamed of pursuing interior design and her experience at DCP has lived up to her expectations.
“Choosing to major in interior design at DCP was one of the best decisions I’ve made career-wise. I’ve always had a passion for interior design from a young age and only applied to colleges with interior design programs. The professors, courses and resources at DCP prepared me for my internship with HKS this summer.”
For anyone considering the college, Yi advises taking full advantage of the resources and opportunities available.
“For anyone considering DCP, I would encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity the program offers. The relationships you’ll build, the experiences you’ll have and the education you’ll receive will prepare you not only for a successful career but also for becoming a well-rounded designer.”
Two of the biggest lessons she learned as a student are that in the design industry, you never stop learning and that in a field as small as the design world, building connections are invaluable.
At HKS, Yi came across several UF alumni who made her transition into the company welcoming and familiar. Like many, Yi is grateful for the strong community of Gator students and alumni.
As she goes out into her career, Yi wants to “continue to push the boundaries of design and sustainability creatively and never stop learning in the design world.”
