Miranda McPherson Associate in Science, Interior Design Technology Florida Community College, Class of 2008

Designs on Success

Miranda McPherson
Florida Community College, Class of 2008

You might think that with a four-year degree already under her belt, Miranda McPherson would have been finished with school. Not so. Even though she holds a degree in art from the University of Alabama, Miranda had bolder plans and is now studying interior design at Florida Community College.

“When I was younger,” said the Birmingham, Alabama native, “I was interested in art education. I would still like to pursue this at some point in my life, but feel that I need to explore more. I have also always wanted to start and operate my own business that somehow incorporates my background in art.” Interior design seemed like the logical field for Miranda to pursue her goals.

When Miranda and her fiancé Richard moved to Jacksonville, Richard began attending a local law school while Miranda took an office job. “I really enjoyed the organizational aspect of this office position, but I really felt that it did not allow for the artistic creativity I wanted. So I began thinking about the interior design field,” said Miranda, adding that interior design combines art and organization.

“I had remembered reading an article about one former FCCJ interior design student who had redesigned the dining hall for a local Jacksonville company. I could tell from the article that FCCJ had established a great reputation in interior design and as a community college in general,” she said.

Miranda is convinced she made the right choice. “All of the instructors have real-world experience and knowledge which is a huge benefit to the classroom.” Miranda also enjoys participating in the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers/International Interior Design Association (ASID-IIDA). She even designed the chapter’s Web site.

“Since I have a bachelor’s degree in art, I would like to take everything that I will have learned and start applying this in the interior design workforce,” Miranda added. “I enjoy learning and will also want to continue my education while working. But my ultimate career goal is to become a free-lance designer for both commercial and residential spaces.”

With so much success behind her, there are sure to be many outstanding accomplishments ahead of her.