Devyn Smoter has always had the benefit of being both logical and creative. It\u2019s a combination that has not only been useful, but allowed her to excel in the Bachelor of Architecture program at Dunwoody. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally from St. Michael, Smoter graduated from St. Michael-Albertville High School and spent a year at Anoka-Ramsey Community College before finding her way into the Architecture program at Dunwoody. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The small class-sizes and hands-on learning was a perfect fit for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to be just a number in a lecture hall, I wanted to feel like part of the college,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also liked the stability and the direct career path that a technical degree would offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved both math and art equally and being able to use both sides of my brain,\u201d she said. \u201cI chose the architecture program at Dunwoody because the field of architecture allows me to be both creative and logical while trying to problem solve. Architecture allows me to gain experience in a lot of different areas simply by being present in the office or on site and collaborating with the other professionals associated with the construction industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The style of learning at Dunwoody was also a good fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThroughout high school I found that I liked lectures and bookwork, but I always learned more when I was able to actively participate in what I was learning,\u201d Smoter said. \u201cI believe that application is how you really solidify and truly understand something you\u2019ve been told.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having support from her classmates and her instructors was another big part of her success during the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Dunwoody staff are always there to support you and your growth as a student and a professional,\u201d Smoter said. \u201cAnd the students in my program, especially my cohort, are some of my closest friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her classmates have also helped her improve as a professional, offering feedback and suggestions throughout the design process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re always showing each other what we\u2019re working on and giving and receiving feedback on our work,\u201d Smoter said. \u201cIt\u2019s always pushed me to be a better designer and have better work in the end. We also function as each other\u2019s distraction if we just need a break from work and to decompress a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the past five-years, Smoter has learned that you \u201cget out of your education what you put in.\u201d It\u2019s been a theme that has pushed her when she is working on a project and exploring concepts for a design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And having instructors, like Andrew Blaisdell, who encouraged and motivated her allowed Smoter to be her best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy studio instructor, Andrew Blaisdell is a very talented designer and passionate instructor,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s good at asking questions about your work to really make you think about why you\u2019re doing something. Whenever I thought I was done with something, he\u2019s always pushed me into the next step to really make my ideas and work stand out and develop further. The way that he talks about architecture inspires me to always think about the experience of the user when designing something within the built environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That concept of constantly working to make things better has been a valuable lesson. \u201cEven though your first idea, or even your fifth idea, sounds really good, you\u2019re never done designing and it can always be better,\u201d Smoter said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it hasn\u2019t always been easy and transitioning to online classes during this past spring semester has been one of the biggest challenges. It\u2019s a challenge that she once again looked to her peers in the program to help her overcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Smoter hopes to travel and focus her talents on public interest design, with an emphasis on community-based design and engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to know that the spaces and buildings I have a part in designing serve the community they\u2019re a part of for a very long time,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduation, Smoter will be starting full-time employment at the firm she currently works for \u2014 Kaas Wilson Architects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDunwoody to me means knowing I\u2019ve gotten an education that will help me build the future I\u2019ve always wanted.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI\u2019d love to know that the spaces and buildings I have a part in designing serve the community they\u2019re a part of for a very long time.\u201d Devyn Smoter has always had the benefit of being both logical and creative. It\u2019s a combination that has not only been useful, but allowed her to excel in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5604,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[363],"tags":[361,223,198],"class_list":["post-5600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-excellence-award","tag-academic-excellence-award","tag-architecture","tag-construction-sciences-building-technology"],"yoast_head":"\n