Brett Reisdorf is not your stereotypical designer. With messy sun-bleached hair, a freckled face, unassuming smile and laid back surfer slag you might mistake him for a beach bum rather than an aspiring designer. But it may just be this unique set of characteristics that will help him ride as smoothly into the design industry as he does into his morning break.

Brett enrolled at Design Institute in 2007 and never looked back >>

Imagine a community center at the center of a quiet country club in south county San Diego...broad patios, mature landscaping, the reflection of the sky in a large swimming pool and the characteristic sounds of a friendly tennis match in the distance. These are some of the first impressions the students from Dr. Clitheroe's Environmental Psychology class shared when they arrived at Eastlake Greens Country Club to interview Nancy Lehman, Operations Manager, and Sonja Garrett, Community Director.

The site visit began with a tour of the existing club house... >>

Opportunity can come along when you least expect it. This was definitely the case for fast track student Joanna Wheeler. "I was at a dinner party and we were discussing green architecture in the Middle East. After sharing my thoughts on the subject, the gentleman sitting to my left turned to me and said 'You should do research for me.'" This gentleman turned out to be Fred Gemmel, artist and owner of a full scale design firm.

Read how Joanna's story unfolds... >>

Michelle Salz-Smith's approach to business is no nonsense. Yet she somehow manages to be totally open and approachable, which is why she is the perfect instructor for the Business Practices class at Design Institute.

How Michelle brings her real world experience to the class... >>