Challie Schafer Rea

Academic experience

• Professor of interior design, 2019–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
  Acts as department leader for the Council of Interior Design Accreditation mission, strategically developing a plan of action for analyzing, organizing, and strengthening the Atlanta curriculum to better serve students and achieve reaccreditation in 2023. To further reinforce this effort, launched a program survey to assess and validate department performance through tracking achievements quantitatively. Serves as a graduate coordinator for the department, managing the graduate program and providing counsel and mentorship to graduate students completing design research.

• Adjunct professor of interior design, 2018, The Art Institutes, Atlanta, GA
  Amended Studio 3 – Commercial Design Studio curriculum to better prepare students for professional practice in the interior design industry while still focusing content on design thinking and problem solving. Lesson plans included space planning for commercial interiors, ADA, introduction to the NCIDQ, reading and implementing code, developing strong design concepts, and exposure to communicating design through construction documentation. Supplemented students' first class in Revit in parallel to Studio 3 through additional curriculum on Revit taught in studio sessions. Implemented a final presentation critique, giving students the opportunity to present their work to a client and receive constructive criticism from a jury.

Professional experience

• Founder, Aug. 2022–present, Interiors Inc[lusive], Atlanta, GA
  Ideator, founder and leader for interiors inc[lusive], a design practice that uses evidence-based principles to inform design decisions and to create inclusive spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but function well for as many people as possible. When we design for the people who need it the most, the final design ends up being better for everyone, not just those we initially set out to serve.

• Design strategist (Consultant), RID, NCIDQ, June 2021–Sept. 2021
  Interior designer, RID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, 2017–19, Gensler, Atlanta, GA
  Primary responsibilities included design, project management, and design strategy. Developed individualized workplace strategy for clients by crafting and facilitating specialized sessions including Gensler's Workplace Performance Index survey, visioning sessions, programming surveys and interviews, and data synthesis and analysis. Contributions resulted in published evidence-based design solutions and ongoing relationships with clients beyond the design process. As the NCIDQ Champion for the Atlanta office, developed a study program to assist professionals in learning and retaining material required to successfully pass the NCIDQ examination. Since the implementation of these structured study sessions, the pass rate for the office reached 100%. Office and regional leaderships roles included Atlanta office NCIDQ licensure champion, office WPI expert, and Atlanta office design resilience leader.

• Interior designer, NCIDQ and professional intern, 2013–17, Gensler, Houston and San Francisco
  Conducted and contributed to the interior design process from strategy and conception to realization. Responsibilities included space planning, concept development, finish selection, construction detailing, and production of construction documents, construction administration, and leading LEED documentation. Independently directed the furniture selection and procurement process on projects with multi-million dollar furniture budgets. Responsibilities included selection and presentation of furniture options to clients, development of furniture mock-ups, writing and implementing requests for pricing, and completing furniture specifications. Developed a flexible furniture-design process that allowed client's employees to individually test and select furniture for their teams. Success of the process led to implementation across the client's global portfolio. Office-leadership roles included Houston Office NCIDQ licensure champion and studio design resilience leader.

Certifications

• NCIDQ Certified