The Student News Site of Weber State University

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

Latest YouTube Video

WSU student finalist in national design competition

Candace Clifford Ross, a Weber State University interior design student, is a finalist in a nationwide design competition.

Out of 119 entries from around the country, Ross’ design was selected as a finalist in the “I Like Design” competition hosted by Interiors and Sources magazine.

Ross' hotel design earned her a spot as a finalist in a nationwide design competition. (Source: Candace Ross)
Ross’ hotel design earned her a spot as a finalist in a nationwide design competition. (Source: Candace Ross)

Contestants were asked to design a lobby, office space and restaurant for a hotel. Their concepts had to be creative, imaginative and incorporate the community of their chosen environment.

“I go to Moab a lot. I like to mountain bike and be outdoors,” Ross said. “So I decided to do a hotel based in Moab and have it centered around outdoor recreation.”

According to Ross, Moab, Utah is the perfect location for a new and innovative hotel. She says there is a lack of places to stay in Moab, which leaves hotels overly crowded.

Ross says the hotel she designed, The Belay Hotel, incorporates Moab’s popular outdoor activities and famous rock formations.

WSU interior design student Candace Ross was selected as a finalist in a nationwide design competition. (Source: Candace Ross)
WSU interior design student Candace Ross was selected as a finalist in a nationwide design competition. (Source: Candace Ross)

She accomplished this by including an indoor rock climbing wall, bike repair shop and more.

Ten finalists were selected by a panel of judges. The public can now choose the winner by voting online at interiorsandsources.com/ilikedesign. Each week, the contestant with the least amount of votes is eliminated.

The winner of the competition will be awarded with a paid summer internship in Washington D.C at the architect firm Studio3877. In addition, the winner will receive official recognition during an all-expenses-paid trip to Chicago.

With five weeks of the competition left, Ross says she wants to encourage everyone to vote for her.

“I’m the only one from Utah,” Ross said. “So it’s a great way to get Weber State’s name out there.”

Ross also says she is thankful for those who have voted for her to help secure her spot in the finals.

“It’s amazing how people have come and supported me,” Ross said. “It’s just awesome.”

More to Discover