Carter, Annie

Something I strive to be in every area of my life is genuine. In a world where many live with their guards up, authenticity is something that I value so much in my own relationships, so I always strive to embody this back toward others. Genuity is what brings success in work, relationships, and every area of life. In my life, creativity has also always played a large role. Growing up, I never stopped creating and being able to be original and genuine has been so important. However, I would not still be here with a love for creativity if it was not for empathetic and patient people surrounding me. Having a community that is dependable and constant is something that all of these values are centered around. Genuine relationships, patient friends, and dependable people surrounding me is one thing that always keeps me going, no matter how hard things get, and is the most impactful thing that has shaped me into who I am today.

Do you have any plans after this semester?

I will be at home in Little Rock, AR over the break, spending time with my friends and family for the holidays! I also plan to update my portfolio and find an internship for the summer.

What type of designer would you like to be?

I am most interested in residential and hospitality design. I am also pursuing an Event Management minor, and eventually hope to design and manage venues for special events.

Can you tell me about any problems you ran into in the studio or outside?

TIme management in and outside the studio is always a challenge, but this semester this was especially true. At times, I was overwhelmed with the workload while balancing life outside of school.

What kind of place would you like to design next?

I would love to design a residential project as well as more hospitality projects such as a restaurant.

What do you think makes a good workplace?

A workplace that promotes a work-life balance is the most important. Having spaces for people to work but also opportunities for them to rest and rejuvenate achieves this. A good workplace is centered around the people inside it, and designing to promote balance in their lives creates a healthy workplace.

Can you tell me what evidence-based design means to you?

It means putting in the effort and research about the program, before beginning the design process, to understand what is beneficial and harmful to the design.

Compared to previous semesters, the semester may be challenging in many ways, but you may be able to see your accomplishments. Reviewing your accomplishments, what did you learn from this studio?

In this studio, I learned how to consistently stick to a concept and how that creates the most consistent and successful project. This studio was definitely the most formative one yet, even though it was tough!

Would you like to share anything with future students of this studio?

While studio is really important, nothing is as important as your mental and physical health. Do your best, but not at the expense of your overall well being!

Located in Dallas, Texas, a city that is known for its “wide sky,” the NEXT Office looks out upon the entire horizon. From the fast-paced, busy city life, all the way to the peaceful, open green plains, the view encompasses it all. The idea of the horizon promotes a balance between work and rest, just as there is a balance between city and land. It represents endless opportunities, new experiences, as well as the possibility of personal outreach that remain at the forefront of the company’s values.