Educational Background
Masters of Business Administration - Concentration in Leadership, Argosy University
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Harrington Institute of Interior Design
Associate of Technology in Interior Design, Harrington Institute of Interior Design
Industry Experience
Owner of DK/Interior Concepts
Solid Concepts for Environmentally Responsible Interiors
Diane Kitchell Is a Registered Interior Designer in the State of Indiana and Illinois, NCIDQ certified and a LEED Accredited Professional in Interior Design and Construction, specializing in interior design of environmentally healthy spaces. She recently became an accredited professional in Evidence Based Design.
She is the owner of DK/Interior Concepts offering solid concepts for environmentally responsible interiors. The firm was founded over 25 years ago as a commercial & residential interior design firm, located in NW Indiana. With her experience in the interior design industry and expertise in business and environmental design, she takes special care to plan energy efficient spaces and specify environmentally sound furniture and finishes for projects.
Past projects have included: IVY TECH College, MBC OFFICE products /NIPSCO Facilities, Girl Scout of Calumet Council, Munster Family Aquatic Facility, Williams Eye Institute, Williams residence piano room, NIAA Gift Shop brand identity, Gardiner residence kitchen remodeling, Heritage Middle School Library renovation and interior design and space planning for Heritage Park’s historic replica of the Brass Stagecoach Inn.
Diane's previous experience includes being a senior designer/project manager at the architectural firm Design Organization, Inc. Valparaiso Indiana and Chicago, Illinois where she was involved in programming, space planning, and construction documentation of over 2,800,000 sq.ft. of G.D. Searle pharmaceutical’s corporate office design, design of banking facilities, tenant development of commercial office spaces, standards packages for design of health care and nursing home facilities, and a residential historical renovation.
Diane is the Past President of the Chicago Chapter of Institute of Business Designers (now IIDA) a Charter Member of IIDA, and a member of USGBC Chicago and Indiana Chapters.
Teaching Philosophy
"I expect a lot from myself and others to create high caliber classroom experiences and help students become very employable in the interior design industry.
My education and experience provide me with a background and my passion for teaching gives me willingness to
Research new methods and ideas. Students see immediate benefits to applying new trends in our industry, such as Environmental Design, and Evidence Based Design in Healthcare Design.
I have a wide breadth and depth of experiences that have taken me on a wonderful journey in my career, of making spaces more comfortable to users, of being socially responsible for our design choices, and of educating future interior designers to become successful, contributing professionals in the field."