At FHS there is a diverse array of electives, including those in marketing, art, music, fashion, and even autobody. Despite already having many unique classes, and considering that almost all Virginia colleges have some type of interior design program, it was surprising when Mr. Bjorkman said there was no interior design class at FHS. So, I chose marketing class instead. While I enjoyed it, it just didn’t beat the elective I was looking forward to the most. I left guidance that day feeling shocked and with the question of ‘why?’

I want to become an interior designer, and there are likely more students out there like me who wish the same but can’t quite learn it at the high school level. Students with an interest in this field have to go to other electives in the marketing and art departments to fill the hole. While graphic design classes can teach students how to use the technology that may be necessary for interior design, they don’t fully prepare students for what they want to accomplish in college and in the workforce. An interior design course would also provide FHS graduates with an advantage in the competitive professional field and allow them to broaden their career.

The curriculum would be similar to that of project-based marketing classes, but students would study designing and decorating the interior of a space instead. The class could include researching different types of interior design and students could make vision boards for rooms using magazine cutouts and online resources such as Pinterest.

It’s also a shame that FHS does not have an interior design class because of the diverse architecture and landscape in Virginia, with the city in one direction and the country in the other. With an interior design business in Virginia, an owner could go both directions. For these reasons, FHS should have an interior design class at the high school level, being the first to start a wave of inspiration for future interior designers in the community.