Recent graduates in the Interior Design program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) were challenged to bring their designs to life as part of a class competition tied to a real residential construction project. Their assignment: develop a cohesive interior and exterior design package for a home already under construction in Hattiesburg’s Shadow Ridge neighborhood.
Partnering with local builder Trey Moran of Flanagan Builders, students in the ID 342 Residential Interior Design II course submitted their designs and material specifications for judging. The winning team—Timber Prince Robison, Camryn Ross and Alexandra McLaughlin—had the opportunity to take their vision beyond the mood boards, overseeing material selections, coordinating with vendors and making on-site decisions during the build process.
“Working with Trey gave our students an incredible opportunity to experience the realities of professional practice,” said Claire Hamilton, associate professor of interior design. “They learned to manage real-world constraints for spec homes like managing budgets and timelines, communicating with vendors and collaborating as a team. They gained skills that went far beyond the classroom. It was the kind of experiential learning that truly prepared them for the pace and challenges of the industry.”
Bridging the Classroom with Southern Miss Alumni as Mentors
Trey Moran, a Southern Miss alumnus and certified professional homebuilder, brought more than 35 years of experience and over 600 completed homes to the table as one of the mentors. Moran’s roots in construction began early, working alongside his uncle, Craig Flanagan. After earning a degree in construction from Southern Miss, Moran built a career centered on timeless craftsmanship and founded Flanagan Builders in 2018.
“Partnering with the Southern Miss interior design students on this custom home was a rewarding and refreshing experience,” Moran said. “It was exciting to watch them bring thoughtful creativity, strong attention to detail and a fresh perspective to the design process. Their professionalism and willingness to collaborate made the experience seamless from start to finish. The result is a beautifully designed home that showcases both innovation and functionality—a true testament to the talent and training of USM’s Interior Design program.”
Southern Miss alumna Madison Arabie, who works as a project manager and designer at Flanagan Builders, played a hands-on role in the collaboration and served as a mentor throughout the project, helping students bridge their academic training with real-world professional demands.
“I had the opportunity to work directly with the students throughout the project—from answering questions and guiding their selections to serving as a judge during the presentation phase,” said Arabie. “Having graduated from the same program just three years ago, it was incredibly meaningful to be on the other side of the process. It truly felt like a full-circle moment to give back to a program that poured so much into me. Seeing their ideas come to life in a real home was inspiring, and I’m so proud of what they accomplished. From juggling budgets and communicating with our vendors to specifying every design detail, each student impressed me with their professionalism, creativity and vision.”
Preparing for High-Stakes Design
Recent graduate Timber Prince Robison was thrilled to learn that her senior project would involve collaborating with Flanagan Builders, after a rewarding internship with the company during the summer of 2024.
“During my internship with Flanagan Builders, I gained some hands-on experience, but getting to apply what I learned on a real home took it to another level,” said Robison. “We had to make smart design choices that balanced creativity and budget, every detail mattered.”
Robison and the team approached the project with intention, investing in high-impact elements like countertops and backsplashes while staying strategic with finishes elsewhere. The biggest challenge, they agreed, was creating a polished, cohesive design that captured the client’s vision without exceeding the budget.
“In the classroom, we tend to have the freedom to design without feeling the pressure of budget restrictions. But working on a real home meant every decision had to fit within a set budget,” Robison said. “We had to learn to prioritize what really mattered, make smart material choices, and find creative ways to achieve a high-end look without overspending. It taught us how important balance is between creativity and practicality.”
Robison emphasized that beyond the design itself, the project offered the opportunity to gain confidence in their abilities and build self-assurance.
“Being trusted to work directly with contractors and vendors—and make decisions on site—boosted our confidence,” Robison shared. “I hadn’t realized how much detail and planning goes into designing a home from the ground up. It pushed me to grow, and now I feel confident stepping into my future as a designer.”
Fellow graduate Alexandra McLaughlin highlighted the challenge of designing a spec home with broad market appeal.
“We had to be mindful that our selections—from wall colors and flooring materials to lighting and hardware—needed to attract a wide range of potential buyers,” she said. “It required balancing creativity with restraint, ensuring the design was timeless, cohesive and marketable.”
McLaughlin focused on neutral yet elevated palettes, incorporating texture through materials like fluted wood and brushed metals, while considering durability and long-term appeal.
“It taught me how to design not just for myself, but with the end user in mind,” McLaughlin said.
Her defining moments came in meetings with vendors like Anderson Design Center and Sunbelt Lighting, in collaboration with Flanagan Builders.
“I felt immersed in the reality of the profession, making quick but thoughtful decisions, collaborating with other professionals,” she said. “It was fast-paced and exciting, and it reaffirmed that this is the career path I was meant to pursue.”
Bringing Spaces to Life
Camryn Ross led key aspects of the design, including the kitchen layout and finishes, focusing on balancing functionality with a modern, timeless aesthetic.
“What drew me to interior design was the power of space and how it can shape someone’s everyday life,” said Ross. “The ability to influence people’s experiences through design is what truly kept me inspired throughout this project. We aimed to create a space that felt elevated but not overly trendy.”
Ross cited her “aha” moment as being hands-on in the showroom, making final material selections—flooring, tile, paint colors—which both excited and challenged her.
“It gave me so much confidence. That’s when I knew I could do this professionally,” she said.
Ready for Life
The Shadow Ridge project highlighted the value of immersive learning in design education. Students credited USM’s curriculum with providing a strong foundation in design principles, essential software skills, code compliance, and the confidence to present ideas, all while gaining real-world experience with a professional builder.
“This project made us better communicators, collaborators and designers,” added Prince. “It taught us that creativity has to work hand-in-hand with practicality—and that’s where the magic happens.”
For Moran and Arabie, witnessing that growth was exactly the outcome they hoped to foster.
“We were excited to see the students grow and flourish in their careers as the next generation of interior designers,” they said.