Shelly Shea with Crossville Studios recently led ceramic and porcelain tile specification education for students in the University of Texas San Antonio interior design program. 

Through the specialized, in-class training, students learned not only about porcelain and ceramic tile design and performance; they attained practical knowledge regarding the ins and outs of tile specification. Then, they applied what they learned about ceramic tile in the creation of a trendy new restaurant and bar concept. When selecting tile for their restaurant spaces, the students considered several tile attributes: DCOF (dynamic coefficient of friction), which is important for slip resistance; suitability (for example, floor tiles can be used on walls, but wall tiles are not rated for floors); scale and pattern (for determining style size and layout), and frost resistance (for outdoor spaces). The designs were to include both interior and exterior floors, walls, and countertops. The students chose their own design aesthetic.

The students’ designs incorporated both wall and floor tiles in back-of-house areas for ease of maintenance and safety, as well as the front-of-house spaces designed to appeal to restaurant guests. They also specified floor tile and wall tile for restrooms, outdoor tile for patio dining areas, tiled backsplashes, tiled feature walls for the bar areas, and even tile for way-finding. Shea provided each student with feedback to assess their tile choices and aid in deeper learning of the topic.

Crossville Studios’ tile-specific training and accompanying design project offer highly applicable knowledge not otherwise addressed in the standard coursework. Insights on tile design and use are vital in rounding out the students’ professional education and preparing them for prestigious internships and entry into the interior design workforce. In learning the nuances of tile specification, the budding designers gain beneficial know-how that is likely to provide professional advantages far beyond classroom walls. 

Just as the students gained lots of practical knowledge about tile design, performance, and tile specification, the Crossville Studios team also learned a great deal from the collaborative partnership.

• Today’s interior design students play a critical role in the future of tile specifications. From their internships to entry-level opportunities and beyond, these young professionals hold great influence in product selections and can become advocates and leaders in the use of ceramic tile as a material of choice long-term. 
• There’s a great need for tile-specific education for design students. These budding professionals are steeped in a range of learning yet may not otherwise receive the specification training that tile requires. 
• To fully learn and experience the usefulness and beauty of tile, students greatly benefit from project work. In putting tile in the context of a complete design project, they are able to explore the vast capabilities and creativity that tile products provide.

Crossville Studios is committed to tile industry education. Do you know of a university design program or student organization that would benefit from tile specification training like the one at University of Texas San Antonio? Get in touch with us today to discuss. We prioritize professional training at every level of the interior design industry. 

Check out the students’ awesome designs!