Prospective students were treated to an in-depth look into the world of interior design and architecture at the annual UK College of Design Undergraduate Open House.

The event drew in students from eight different states and two countries, said Greg Robinson, director of recruitment for Student Affairs in the College of Design. Students who attended were interested in design opportunities at UK.

“Most of these students are seniors in high school, some are juniors in high school and some are actually transfer students from other programs here at UK,” said Bruce Swetnam,

associate dean for Student Affairs in the College of Design.

During a brief information session, students had the opportunity to meet with the faculty and staff from the College of Design to discuss admissions, particular interests and curriculum.

High school student Ally Ware came to the open house from Knoxville, Tennessee, where she attends Arlington High School.

“I hope to see what the teachers are going to be like and what my outside experience will be like after college. I’m excited because I heard Kentucky has a very good design program,” Ware said.

The attendees also spent two hours touring an actual design studio within the College of Design, plus learning about all of the programs within the college.

 “Our programs are architecture and interiors. Typically, people think that only means building buildings and interior spaces but a design degree is more about taking a human-centered problem and building a design solution,” Robinson said.

The open house was held in the hope that prospective students obtain a deeper understanding of what studying in the College of Design entails and if it is the right place for them to continue their education.

“From my perspective, I hope today increases interest and applications, you see, we are a selective admission which means that students have to apply separately with the University of Kentucky,” Robinson said. “But I also hope that, more than anything, they find out whether or not design is the best fit for them and whether or not UK’s campus is the best fit for them.”

More information about the College of Design can be found here.