How did you get started on your journey to Interior Design? Well, my father was a carpenter and when I was 10 they decided to remodel the house and add a whole new floor. My dad did the work and I got a front row seat to see how houses went together. Then we sold it and built the next house from scratch. That is really where I got inspired. My brother went into architecture. So I followed him.
What was your first job in design? I graduated from K-State and worked for Scott Rice. I did systems’ furniture for a while. I really liked the space planning, puzzle part of the job. was a good fit for me. From there I went into commercial construction.
What is your favorite part about being a designer? Function, function, function. So, my love is making a space functional. Not that I don’t love the other parts but that is my favorite.
What do you want people to know about you? I’m a pretty informal type of person and I really don’t have anything to hide I do better if people understand that about me.
Why did you change direction and go into teaching? The hours were long in commercial construction. After I had my first child I went back to work in that arena, but after the second I didn’t think I could do it. So, I looked around for a while and got a part time job at JCCC teaching one class. Jan Cummings was the chair and a wonderful boss. She helped me get started down this path. She sort of lassoed me and wouldn’t let go. She said if I got my masters, there would be another position available at JCCC and there was!
Where do you see the JCCC design program going in the next 5 years? From our program, 85-100% get a job in their field. I am working on transfer agreements with other schools for a bachelor’s degree. We want to tailor make it so the degree fits you. Just strengthening the program so the students can sit for the certification tests.
The people at JCCC are there to help you, that’s their job.
Darla Green
MSEd, AKBD, CAPS, CAPM, CGP
Department Chair / Professor
Johnson County Community College Interior Design
913-469-8500 x 3187 | dgreen14@jccc.edu
