Designing with intention, UF senior Abbie Busch turns bold ideas into professional breakthroughs
When UF senior Abbie Busch submitted her design portfolio to the prestigious American Society of Interior Designers Student Portfolio Competition, she didn’t expect to stand out. But with a unique aesthetic, a clear sense of identity and years of refined skill building through UF’s rigorous interior design program, she was named a winner and walked away with national recognition and new career opportunities.
One of only three competition winners out of hundreds of applicants, Busch has already secured a summer job at CannonDesign in Chicago.
“Always take chances,” Busch said about her experience. “You never know what could come from it.”
Building design skills
With UF alumni as parents, the 23-year-old Busch always felt a strong connection to the university while growing up in St. Petersburg, and she knew she wanted to be a part of that legacy. And pursuing an academic path through the College of Design, Construction and Planning suited her creative passions.
“I decided to pursue interior design because it allows me to express myself creatively while also fulfilling my needs for strategic problem solving to achieve an aesthetic but functional solution,” Busch said. “With every project, I think, ‘This is going in my portfolio. What represents me?’ That’s a big factor — how can I use this in my future to get a job I want?”
Busch’s approach to design blends form, function and personality, with projects for health care and hospitality industries that incorporate soft tones, curvy elements and cool lighting.
“UF pushes us to be really detailed and intentional about everything,” Busch said. “Every single thing you design has to be functional and realistic.”
Busch credits much of her academic development to professors in the College of Design, Construction and Planning, such as Genesis Okken and Shabboo Valipoor, Ph.D., who emphasized both the technical precision and sustainability aspects of design.
“They taught me the [building] codes and how to choose sustainable materials that are not harmful to the environment,” Busch said. “That’s a big part of the future of design.”
Preparing for the future
Even with technical skills and artistic confidence, developing a portfolio was not without its challenges for Busch. Keeping individuality at the forefront was crucial when she faced the American Society of Interior Designers jury in a virtual presentation.
Her portfolio emphasized modernity combined with sustainability. In her health care designs, for example, she drew inspiration from Florida's coastline, striking a balance between functionality, innovation and hospitality comfort.
Feedback from top designers like Kyle Rottet, a leading architect and creative force in hospitality design, helped shape her next steps.
“He told me what needed fixing, and even though it stung, I liked it,” Busch said. “I'm my harshest critic. That kind of feedback matters because it helps you grow.”
The competition did not just bring recognition; it opened doors, as Busch gained connections with design leaders nationwide and expanded her network.
“Networking is everything,” Busch said. “I wouldn’t have these opportunities if I didn’t apply. Just putting yourself out there is the biggest lesson.”
Looking ahead, Busch hopes to work at a firm to refine her skills, with the ultimate goal of starting her own company.
She also wants to pay it forward. Her advice for emerging creatives is clear: “Be yourself. Let your ideas shine. Don’t copy. Make it your own.”