Liz Elton, a talented interior designer who has been with CNH Architects since her internship in 2019, is now a certified interior designer thanks to her successful completion of the NCIDQ examination program. By achieving this certification, Liz has elevated her career and demonstrated her dedication to delivering exceptional design solutions.

While pursuing her Bachelor of Science in the Interior Design program at the University of Minnesota, Liz was originally drawn to residential design and restoring historic homes to their original designs – while applying modern amenities. It wasn’t until her internship at CNH that she really considered commercial design.

“My first major project was Burnsville Fire Station No. 1. It sparked my interest in Public Safety design specifically. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our city partners and departments to design these facilities. There’s so much that goes into it, and I love the problem-solving that some of these projects require to provide the best outcome,” says Liz.

She goes on to say, “While I have a great passion for designing public safety facilities, another thing I love is that every day is different, and we have a wide range of clients that we serve. One day you could be selecting finishes for a public safety facility, and the next day you could be drawing up a permit set for a small business.”

Liz decided she was going to start the certification process, with the main reason being to better serve her clients. Her goal was to study for all three sections and sit for all three exams at once – all before the next offered session, which was only four months away.

“It was a lot of work and time spent studying, and I learned so much about the industry. By attaining my NCIDQ certification, then getting certified through the state of Minnesota, I have a greater knowledge of the profession – and the industry as a whole – which is already helping to serve our clients better.”

The NCIDQ examination program is a rigorous assessment designed to evaluate interior designers’ knowledge and skills. It consists of three sections:

1. Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX): This section tests foundational knowledge related to design concepts, codes, regulations, and project coordination.
2. Professional Practice Exam (PRAC): PRAC assesses practical skills such as project management, contract administration, and ethics.
3. Interior Design Practicum Exam (IDPX): IDPX focuses on applying design principles to real-world scenarios, including space planning, materials selection, and lighting design.

Liz’s determination led her to successfully pass all three sections of the exam within the specified timeframe. As she continues her work at CNH Architects, her NCIDQ certification will undoubtedly enhance her ability to create functional, attractive spaces for clients.

Congratulations, Liz!