Before pursuing her Bachelor of Interior Design degree at Yorkville University, Maggie McCormick had a much narrower view of the role designers play and the impact they can have.
“That perspective has dramatically shifted over the past three years after being exposed to the coursework in this program and the views of our faculty,” the 27-year-old said during her valedictory speech on May 9 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
“The respect they inspired and continue to inspire consistently compelled me to push further and work harder.”
McCormick said the instructors she studied under for three years at Yorkville’s Steeles Campus not only ensured their students graduated from the program technically and theoretically prepared to enter the industry, but that they also left with a higher sense of moral awareness.
“They demonstrated their commitment to our learning time and time again through one-on-one critiques, thoughtful feedback, engaging and informative lectures, as well as casual chats between classes…” she said, noting that her Yorkville teachers taught her to value the positive impact functional and empathetic design can have on people’s lives.
“I hope and expect that this is not unique to the Interior Design program and that others (at Yorkville) have had a similar experience – a faculty member or group of faculty members that facilitated some of your best learning and most enjoyable moments in class.”
Before continuing her education at Yorkville, McCormick had previously completed an English degree from Queen’s University and earned work experience at Canopy Capital, where she supported the marketing and launching new products.
It was while applying her creativity in that role, she said, that she was first inspired and motivated to pursue a degree in Interior Design at Yorkville, where she was inspired by the “breadth of experience and diverse backgrounds” that each of her classmates brought to the degree.
“There are many paths to the interior design program, be it online, in class, full time, part time, or any combination there of – all of which I certainly made use of. And I believe it’s this flexibility that’s allowed a lot of us the opportunity to commit to this education and successfully see it through,” she said, congratulating her fellow graduates.
“Some of you may be entering the workforce for the first time, others may have just given themselves an advantage in the industry they’re already active in. But I think the truth of the matter is that each of us is now better equipped to go out and accomplish our goals, whatever they may be.”
