Four Bermudian students have been awarded $10,000 in scholarships to further their aspirations in interior design.

The field entails far more than selecting fabrics or colours, according to the Bermuda Society of Interior Designers, which presented the bursaries.

The society has been raising funds for the programme since 1992. Each student was given $2,500 towards their studies, and the awardees shared their plans for their futures with The Royal Gazette.

“Interior design has a tendency to go way beyond its theoretical perception; it can influence a person’s experiences in more than one way,” said Madeleine Brash, who will enter her third year at Humber College, Toronto, after working for the summer at Commercial Interiors Group.

Ms Brash said her art interests had led her into a discipline where it was important to have passion for the job, along with good creative and technical skills.

“My main focus as an interior designer is to create and design unique spaces in a way that spreads a positive vibe around a group of people residing in that particular space, and to fulfil the customer’s needs to where they are beyond satisfied.”

Courtney Chiappa, now working in London for a year as a junior designer at the global firm HLW, is studying interior architecture and Design at Nottingham Trent University.

The 19-year-old advised anyone contemplating design to practise sketching, and early — “sketching anything you see, such as a tree in your backyard”.

Ms Chiappa also recommended studying in Britain, particularly with its proximity to a wealth of European architectural traditions.

Dance furnished her introduction to the arts, but she said she acquired an eye for design and architecture by watching her parents build the family home.

“This scholarship has been a great reward for me, not only showing the hard work I’ve put in the past but a reflection and motivation for the work I will put in toward my future,” she said.

BSID has given me the greatest opportunity to give back to my parents who have given me the world — this scholarship allows me to show to them my appreciation by contributing to the university costs.”

For Chanika Jones, now in her junior year of interior architecture at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, pursuing design emerged from keen interests in architecture and art.

“I have enjoyed the journey so far, although it has been very challenging,” Ms Jones said. “I would encourage those interested in architecture and design to become involved with local organisations which will expose them to professionals in their area of interest, who will be more than willing to help them develop their skills.”

Yanna Smith, 20, is entering her final year at the Accedemia Italiana in Florence, Italy, where she is completing her Bachelor’s Degree in interior and product design.

Florence, famed for its long history of architecture and design, has proved “a perfect place to study”, she said.

Ms Smith’s interests have leaned towards designing furniture, and she plans on working as an interior designer as well as owning a furniture store for refurbished wares as well as her own creations.

At present she is shadowing a designer at Entasis Architecture.

“My advice for those pursuing a career in this field is to continue to work hard and try to shadow or intern for an interior designer to properly understand the job as well as gain experience,” Ms Smith said. “Look around you when travelling and surfing the net, this is where you will get inspiration and learn to build your ideas.

“Always think positively and remind yourself that you can do whatever you set your mind towards.

“Believe in yourself and watch as your dreams turn into your reality.”