Twyla Gurlea decided to attend Heritage with the goal of growing and developing her work as a Color Strategist.   She could no longer deny the relationship between Consulting and Interior Design.  She realized that to continue to expand her career, she needed to be educated as an Interior Designer.  Twyla knew developing her Interior Design skills and knowledge would give her the ability to offer her clients a more comprehensive design package.

Twyla began developing her design skills when she was a new wife and mother and was focused on creating a lovely home for her growing family.  She has been told by loved ones that she had a “special talent” for interior design, but she felt that her true passion was in color.  In 2012, she pursued a certification as a Color Specialist through the IACC.  She began her career studying under Frank Mahnke. Twyla spent several years learning everything from color psychology to the physical effects of color.  She continued her color education through Camp Chroma, under Lori Sawaya.  During this experience, she studied spectral data and started to dissect color down to its “DNA.”

She feels the program at Heritage has prepared her well to work as a confident and skilled Interior Designer. The depth of knowledge and skills she has acquired while studying here has given her the opportunity to change how she runs her business and what she is able to offer her clients.  Completing the Fundamentals of Interior Design program and the technical classes has given Twyla the chance to provide her clients with the entire Interior Design experience.

Although Twyla is excited and proud of what her design business is becoming, she has goals beyond what she is currently offering her clients.  Not only does she plan to eventually take the NCIDQ exam, she would like to develop her skills in Commercial Design, and begin working on projects for Senior Housing Communities.

We know that any client who has an opportunity to work with Twyla is very fortunate!  Her personality is delightful. She has a tremendous attitude and always takes her work beyond expectations. Her expertise in color provides an incredible base for her to create successful and personal designs for her clients.  She took this program by storm and will carry her focus and dedication to design into every project she touches. We will feel so lucky to call her a Heritage graduate very soon!

Check out Twyla’s use of virtual reality for her final project presentation!