My Mood My Vibe My Story
An Interior Design Portfolio by Tiphani D. Walker
To Simply Create Space: My Story
To Simply Create Space
By: Tiphani WalkerI, Tiphani D. Walker, am a vibrant 27-year-old Westend Louisville native. My mother is a teacher, counselor, writer, and storyteller; My father was a singer, master musician, and graphic designer. Quality time spent with my mother consisted of playful storytelling, creative writing, and decorating her classroom for the upcoming school year (this was the first time I was introduced to the term ‘Feng Shui). Time spent with my father was full of singing soulful gospel music at my Smoketown church, dancing along to Whitney Houston, and learning about the latest technologies the early 2000s had to offer. Early on, it was instilled in me that embracing creativity was essential for achieving selfactualization.
In early childhood, I took piano lessons, and violin lessons, and sang in chorus. Although the appreciation of music was a core part of my being, I quickly learned it was not my calling. In middle school, I decided to try my hand in the realm of drama and theatre. Theatre is where I learned that the willing suspense of disbelief meant I could create without inhibition. Not only was I encouraged to create new personas, but I also discovered the importance of creating space through set design. In high school, I took a sewing class to familiarize myself with various textiles and textures because I wanted to explore costume design. Although I enjoyed sewing, I quickly learned it was not my calling either.
In the Fall of 2014, I enrolled at Bellarmine University to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. My chosen electives were Movement for The Actor, Music in The Black Church, Creative Writing for Poets, and Modern Philosophy. The curriculum affirmed my inherent gifts while forming a desire to understand the human psyche. Due to financial hardship, I had to leave the program. In 2016, I began a career in a corporate environment. In this environment, I developed essential business skills such as leadership, project management, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving. I took the personal initiative to take advantage of growth opportunities to earn a senior management role. My development plan required me to be proficient in various positions within the company, and I quickly became a cross-functional resource for all departments. At this time, I firmly believed that I found the career of a lifetime.
In March 2020, COVID-19 swept the nation resulting in my being furloughed with no set return date. I made it a priority to reacquaint myself with the creative outlets I had once abandoned. Before being furloughed, I had moved into my own home, and I was presented with the opportunity to create space yet again. The practice of curating my own space became a form of therapy during a time of extreme dis-ease. The process of developing my vision until fruition brought about a compelling sense of purpose; I realized that I am called to create space. It was at this time; I made the intuitive decision to earn my bachelor’s in Interior Design.
My decision to go to design school ensured I would equip myself with the knowledge and tools to effectively create space for others. Effectively creating space not only requires properly applying technical knowledge and skill but also requires understanding the needs and desires of its users. Understanding the needs and desires of its users involves facilitating intimate dialogue between the designer and the user. It is my responsibility to show up attentively and empathetically in order to reveal the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ that ultimately informs the ‘how’.
It is my mission to utilize my affinity for art, music, culture, and the mind to design spaces with a holistic approach that not only fulfill a desired function but is also a creative representation of intrapersonal depth.
