The best-kept secret in design What do you think of when someone uses the term interior design? This Project Presentation Board was created by Prachayapron Klongsakon, a recent graduate of the Interior Design program of Brookdale Community College. "Many people think only of residential interiors," said Patty Blaser, professor of interior design at Brookdale Community College, "And that it's all about matching colors and picking pretty fabrics. Or, they watch TV shows like 'Trading Spaces' and get a completely distorted view of the profession," she said. "The interior design profession is seriously misunderstood," Blaser adds. But an exhibition at the CVA Gallery on view through Sept. 28 may change that. "The Best Kept Secret: The Brookdale Interior Design Program" will help clarify the profession while highlighting the talents of more than 25 current students and recent interior design program graduates. There was a time when this profession involved only domestic decoration, and the people to consult were identified as "decorators." Certainly there are still very competent decorators in the field today. "Aesthetics is certainly part of interior design, however the profession encompasses so much more and has changed dramatically in the past 25-30 years," said assistant professor of interior design, Celeste Chirichello. "Interior designers work in any number of specialty areas such as hospitality, casinos, institutional facilities such as schools, libraries, and other public spaces, corporate offices, health care facilities and more," Blaser said. "Designers need to be knowledgeable about many issues that affect the health, safety and welfare of the public. They address issues such as indoor air quality, performance characteristics of interior surfacing materials, lighting, building and fire codes, accessibility and sustainable design. "Since 1991, Brookdale's AAS Interior Design Degree Program has provided intensive, career-focused education intended to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in interior design or transfer to a four-year baccalaureate institution. "We have a very active student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers here at Brookdale. Our students have competed successfully in the NJASID, IIDA and the Illuminating Society of New Jersey annual student design competitions. In addition, they do community service, and their recent creations for the designer showhouse in Rumson, Stately Homes by the Sea, were published in New York Spaces magazine. "The opening reception is Thursday, Sept. 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CVA gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.