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Louise Farrar-Wegener
Interior Design
Just six years after completing her Marylhurst BFA, Louise Farrar-Wegener owned a successful design studio, served as president of the Oregon Chapter of the International Interior Design Association and instructed aspiring designers and architects in Marylhurst's Interior Design program.
At graduation, Louise moved directly from an internship to a salaried position with Scardina Design Studio in Portland. After three years at Scardina, Louise opened her own business, Z3 Design Studio, Inc., and had no difficulty finding clients. "I was busy right off the bat," she said. Her firm specializes in custom commercial, residential and retail interior environments.
Art and Architecture
In 1992, when selecting an educational institution, Louise considered similar programs at Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. Marylhurst rose to the top because "I liked the mix of art and architecture that the Marylhurst curriculum provided," she said.
Louise also preferred Marylhurst's small class size, scheduling flexibility that allowed her to combine work and school, and the picturesque campus was a bonus, she said.
Instructor Recognition
At the age of 38, she appreciated attending a university that attracted a more mature student body. "Not only did our instructors recognize that we all had previous life and career experiences, but they found ways to bring them into the classroom so that everyone could benefit."
Louise admitted that, when nearing graduation, she and some classmates shared concerns that they might not stack up against their competitors in the job market, especially graduates from the larger universities. But after viewing thesis projects completed by students from all schools, their confidence soared. "We can stand up against them any day," she recalled saying.
Real-world Problems and Solutions
The most beneficial aspect of Marylhurst's Interior Design program was the senior-year thesis project, Louise said. The thesis is an in-depth research project, a practical exercise in finding solutions to design problems.
Louise's particular interest was in museum design. Her thesis presented a proposed addition to the Portland Art Museum. She completed architectural renderings, a model and a paper that encompassed her research on the project. Her thesis project made an excellent portfolio piece and played an important role in launching her career.
Improving Quality of Life
Portland's chic Irvington Neighborhood is home to "Caught in the Act," an upscale hair salon. Louise's firm completed the salon's remodel, and it entirely changed the way they do business, she said. "We were able to incorporate a large retail space and help them to operate more efficiently, which were the salon's goals," she said. "It was a challenging project because, being a historical building, we were restricted to what we could do structurally.
"Whenever I go in there, they tell me how much they love it," she said. That's what makes her work so rewarding. "As interior designers, we look out for the health, safety and welfare of the public," she said. "We create interior environments that improve daily life."
