Bermudian design student Chakeya Ottley could find herself working for international coffee shop chain Starbucks if it takes her fancy.

As the winner of a prestigious design award, Miss Ottley interned at one of the coffee chain’s New York offices, where her rendering work was utilised and her sign design approved and mounted in Times Square.

Ms Ottley, 26, won third place in the Decorator’s Club’s 21st Annual Scholarship Awards and was offered the paid internship after creating an impressive interior design rendering for the chain.

During her internship, the final-year student designed a 25ft by 5ft Starbucks sign that has been temporarily erected in Times Square.

Speaking of the interior design work that she did for the company, Ms Ottley said: “The design I created didn’t go into an actual store, but it got me an internship. I worked on a few projects and they used all of my renderings; it helps them to visualise what the design will be. They have to present it to the top people for approval and also have to present it to the landlords.

“They want me to come back but I can only work so much during my school year due to immigration laws.”

There were six other design schools across the United States competing for the Decorator’s Club Award.

“It felt good to win the award,” Ms Ottley said. “When you work so hard and spend the majority of time at school, it’s nice to see that your school appreciates you and wants you to be the face that represents them.

“It was an honour. Even to place among other design students in New York is unbelievable because it is very competitive; they are hard workers. To be recognised for my work is great.”

Asked where she wants to take her career in design, Ms Ottley said: “I do like the commercial and hospitality aspects of it. I still want to do architecture. I want to keep my options open; the field is so flexible. I want to do a little bit of everything.”

Ms Ottley maintained high grades on the Dean’s List and is a tutor and resident adviser.

In Bermuda, she attended CedarBridge Academy and then studied art and design at Bermuda College. She later moved to London to study interior design at the American Intercontinental University and transferred to New York after six months.

For more information on the award, visit: www.nysid.edu/news-events/blog/nysid-students-win-decorators-club-scholarships