Chronicle 30: Student Interns Welcome

We’re enjoying the summer here at Centric Design Studio. Busy with projects across the state, we’ve welcomed students throughout the year into our Studio to learn more about architecture and design. No, not filing and running errands – our student interns work on actual projects and help us solve design problems.

Jonathan reviews construction drawings

Last fall, we began working with the Henry Ford School for Creative Studies in Detroit. The school's curriculum is centered on art and design, and all students must complete a senior practicum to gain hands-on knowledge of the creative field and to begin putting their design skills to practical use.


For fall 2014, we welcomed the first student from the Henry Ford School – Jonathan Kimble, a senior. Jonathan used AutoCAD, Photoshop and other design software to assist with architectural projects. He also went on projects site visits. Jonathan will be attending college this fall.



From January until June, Aaron Anderson, a junior from the Henry Ford School, worked with us. Aaron built his first architectural model, created logos and did research on architectural building products. Architectural Designer and college instructor, Shanita Rutland, guided Aaron on many of his tasks at CDS. “Working with Aaron was an overall great experience, Shanita said. “As a mentor and teacher, I believe the relationship between a professional and intern can offer more substance than working on remedial tasks.  It is truly an opportunity for the student to dive in head first and begin to do the "work" which merges theory with practice.”   

Aaron on a project site visit at the
David Klein Gallery in Detroit

Read a full post on Aaron’s co-op experience here. 
Dr. Curtis Lewis, principal at the Henry Ford School for Creative Studies, expressed his appreciation of CDS and wants the relationship to continue. He said his students gained valuable knowledge from being able to work with Architects.



We’re glad to mentor college students in the Studio, as well. Kristen Collins, a student at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, requested to work with us for two weeks before she began an internship at Wayne State University for the summer. During her brief stay, Kristen used her Illustrator skills, updated CDS firm profiles, and designed with AutoCAD for the first time. She learned the software quickly, noting construction document CAD files and drafting flashing details.



Kristen learned AutoCAD

For the second summer in a row, Wiley Roberts is joining us as a college intern. Wiley completed his undergraduate degree in Architecture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and he is currently a graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Wiley is adept at CAD, 3D modeling, and Rhino software. He has worked with us on a variety of projects, including the Detroit Fire Department Training Facility and renovations and upgrades of two Detroit Public School facilities’ kitchens and cafetoriums.





Wiley joins us for a second summer

We are proud to further architecture education through student internships at Centric Design Studio. Please contact us for further information on student visits and internships at our Studio.