Hello! My name is Addison Jenkins, and I am a sophomore at Winthrop University in South Carolina. I am a proud interior design student and excited to bring creative and innovative designs to the interior design world. I hope to work in an array of fields such as Hospitality, Residential, Exhibit, Furniture Design, and so much more! I believe there is no such thing as being too educated and I plan to learn as much as I can!      I want to start my essay by expressing my deep gratitude for being selected as a finalist in last year’s round of applicants. Even though I didn’t win, the excitement of being a finalist gave me the courage to continue with my interior design goals and scholarship applications. I hope to build on that momentum and display my growth and dedication in this year's application process.      Humble Yet Hungry: Something that I value as a designer and individual, is the fact that I will never know everything about anything. This is an idea that governs my life and my designs as an interior design student. There is always something else to learn, a different way to learn it, or a completely undiscovered idea or design, and that is so exciting to me! My favorite part about being an interior design student is feedback from my peers and professors. I love being molded by others to combine the best aspects of all perspectives, designs, and cultures. My hunger for education is a driving force in my designs and I hope to learn even more as I continue my journey.    Focused yet Fun: Throughout my academic career, I have displayed the necessary qualifications to be a focused and fun student. I have been/am a member of the National Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi, and Alpha Lamba Delta Chapters at Winthrop University! I also earned a place on Winthrop’s Dean’s list for my first semester in college, the Fall 2023 semester! Despite my academic achievements, I manage to make time for things that are important to my happiness and health, such as meeting new people/businesses at on-campus events, art, spending time with my wonderful family, and learning new languages in my free time!    Super yet Human: Something that I had to learn in my first year at college is that I am going to make mistakes as a designer, and that is part of life and the design process. I view my shortcomings as room for improvement rather than faults in character or effort. Instead of showing only my best work in my portfolio, I want to show the worst too. I want to show my growth as a person, student, and designer. I am proud of the mistakes I have made and recognized, as they have allowed me to become a better person and designer. Every mistake is a step towards improvement in my book. This helps me be positive about my plans and goals. Part of being a good designer is being human, recognizing my faults, desires, and improvements allows me to see those in my designs, further fueling my growth.      I am the personification of Luminaut’s core values, this is evident through my accomplishments academically and my portfolio. I want to thank you (The scholarship Panel) once again for this opportunity and for considering my application. I hope you see my passion for interior design, my desire to grow, and the luminary I can be!

I have had a deep desire to make a significant difference in the world and my community since I was young. My passion for volunteer work, sustainability, and art are the reasons behind my drive to lead a meaningful life. While looking for these aspects regarding my career, I stumbled upon the field of interior design. It astounded me that I could alter or restore life within a building, shelter, or community through my artistic and design abilities. Interior design satisfies my desire to use what I love every day to help others and benefit my community. I believe that through interior design, I can make a lasting impact on people's lives and the community. Interior design is a kind of art that can be used practically and functionally, in contrast to traditional art forms. This combination of creativity and functionality is what draws me to interior design. Effective interior design enhances not only aesthetics but also the mental and physical well-being of its occupants. In my volunteer work, I have seen firsthand how poorly designed spaces can greatly impact the quality of life for both humans and animals. I have seen healthy animals put down due to a lack of space and many other unfortunate cases. These experiences are what inspired me to pursue a career in interior design. In addition to enhancing the quality of life, I believe that I can extend the lives of animals and better serve the underprivileged by concentrating on designing spaces that are not only aesthetically appealing but also sustainable and functional.   I am passionate about creativity and sustainability and I want to make a difference in the world. Interior design is the perfect career path for me as it allows me to combine these interests and goals. I intend to earn a bachelor's degree in interior design from Winthrop University, where I will develop the knowledge and skills I need to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. While earning my degree, I plan to gain hands-on experience through internships and projects focused on sustainability in interior design. After graduation, I aim to work with organizations that focus on revitalizing communities and shelters, such as those for domestic violence victims, the homeless, and even animal shelters.  My goal is to concentrate on initiatives that integrate biophilic elements of design and promote sustainability in my designs. With an emphasis on eco-friendly materials and techniques, my goal is to develop designs that contribute to individual and ecological well-being. Interior design has the power to transform lives, and I am passionate about using my creativity to make a positive impact in the world. I am committed to developing my skills and using them to serve my community.

Humble yet hungry: “Humility is the price you pay for a lifetime of knowledge.” Humility requires work. It’s easy to take credit for something good but it’s much more admirable to admit to a mistake or something you don’t know. When I was young it was almost impossible for me to ask for help, even from my family and friends. I often felt ashamed or as if I should have tried harder to understand the problems I faced. Humility was required to admit that I did not know something and that I needed to ask for help. However, it wasn’t something that felt okay to display at that time. I grew to have a deep appreciation for humility while volunteering over the years. Seeing those in need reluctantly ask help for help at food banks, shelters, and in school, showed me how ridiculous I had acted in the past. I knew that these people had no reason to be ashamed, so why should I? I admit that I still struggle sometimes, however, I have learned so much in practicing this type of humility. This is something I will apply in my work as an interior designer, asking questions when needed and not being shy to do so. I still like to problem-solve, however, I do know that there is always something someone else can do better or faster. Working as a team member, rather than an independent force has given me so much knowledge and new perspectives. It is something I will continue doing as an interior designer. Focused yet fun: One of the things that I love most in interior design and architecture is the opportunity to incorporate the most outlandish, brilliant, and bold ideas into a safe atmosphere. The most awe-inspiring designs are created through controlled chaos. I believe that as adults, we frequently dim our inner child to be successful rather than letting our childish curiosity and desire to gain knowledge plunge us into a successful career. Many modern designs are devoid of color, organic shapes, or even originality. I’ve seen countless boring designs. Black, white, and gray are being reused and abused, mixed up in different styles, and thrown into countless spaces. Designs today destroy character and fluidity rather than emphasizing it, something I will never do as an interior designer. As someone who is obsessed with nature and has a strong desire to redefine the boundaries of design, I bring an array of colors, cultures, and ideas to this new era of repetitive, boring, and unoriginal designs. Having a deep desire to create spaces that feel like my clients' wildest desires. My designs will be vibrant in color, balanced, and full of life. Super yet human: I know that when I am given the tools to thrive, I will be an unstoppable force. I have all the qualities required to succeed: drive, a deep appreciation for design, the ability to admit what I don’t know, and the confidence to learn what I don’t. I am an ideal representation of Luminaut values. I have the drive, and core values, and soon will have the education and experience to change the world with beautiful designs, spaces, and homes. I know that I know very little and lack a detailed portfolio, but given the chance to learn something that benefits so many people long and short-term, pushes me to soak up all the knowledge and opportunities provided to me.