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Congratulations to Erin Hurd, NCIDQ!

We are excited to announce that Erin Hurd is now an NCIDQ certified interior designer! Erin joined Helix in 2018 with five years of professional experience, working on a broad range of projects both across the globe and right here in Kansas City. Notably, Erin is currently working on McCownGordon Construction’s new headquarters.

You can learn a little more about Erin in the Q&A below.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

If I had to put words to it, I would say the aesthetic I gravitate toward is simple, timeless, and authentic.

What do you look to for inspiration?

Consciously tapping into a deep awareness of my surroundings on a daily basis allows for inspiration to come at any time. All types of spaces—new, old, beautiful, unsightly—can teach you something about human behavior and the built environment.

How did you prepare for your exams? Any secrets to your studying?

The multiple choice tests require knowledge of a vast range of detailed subject matter. Slowly reading the material from cover to cover and taking notes did the trick for me. For the practicum, which is more applied knowledge, I relied heavily on practice tests. I optimistically (and perhaps stubbornly) studied for a much shorter period of time for this one, feeling more confident that my 5 years experience on the job had prepared me for the test format. It worked out!

Any tips for others who are about to take their exams?

Do what works for you! Though taking them all at once is much more efficient, taking the tests one-by-one over four years allowed me to enjoy or prioritize other aspects of my life during some seasons, and also helped reiterate the information over time. I feel as though I have learned the material, rather than just memorizing it for the short term.

What’s next?

For now, I’m enjoying giving my brain a rest after the work day. However, my next goals are tackling my LEED and WELL exams to offer perspective on sustainability and healthful environments to the clients I work with.

Congratulations, Erin! We’re so lucky that you’ve chosen to share your talents with us, and we can’t wait to see what else you will do in the future.