Mei Riordan
Interior Designer
EDUCATION
AAS - Interior Design &
Interior Architecture
Kirkwood Community College
May 2024
Follows CIDA Standards & Meets NCIDQ Educational Requirements
Italy - Study Abroad
Kirkwood Community College
July 2024
Pantheon, Pompeii, Herculeneum, Accademia & Uffizz
General Education Credits
DMACC Community College
2021 - 2022
High School Diploma
Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center
High School
2018-2022
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Revit
SketchUp
AutoCad
Chief Architect
2020/Design Flex 14
FormIt
Enscape
Lumion
Adope InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
BlueBeam Revu
Microsoft Office
Design Manager
D5 Render
Hand Rendering
Watercolors
+1 (641) 221 1152
designbymei24@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/mei-riordan issuu.com/mei-riordan
Guthrie Center, Iowa
PROFILE
I am a hardworking and responsible individual who is dedicated to the Interior Design Industry and excited to work creatively to bring beautiful designs into the world. I am passionate about creating designs where the architecture speaks more than words, making a long losting impact to those who encounter it.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Paraprofessional
Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center School Disctrict Guthrie Center, Iowa
March 2026 - Present
Collaborated closely with educators, students, and support staff to achieve shared goals, coordinating efforts across multiple teams and adapting to diverse needs in dynamic environments. Assisted in planning and executing activities with careful attention to detail, ensuring smooth workflow and successful outcomes. Developed strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills while supporting situations from concept to completion, translating complex requirements into actionable solutions.
Interior
Designer
Akin Building & Design Center
February 2025 - November 2025
Atlantic, Iowa
Specialize in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing residential spaces, involving client consultations, selecting high-quality materials and finishes, drafting detailed plans, taking precise measurements, producing 3D renderings using 2020/DesignFlex14 software to bring concepts to life. Collaborate closely with clients, contractors, and vendors to ensure seamless project execution.
Interior Design Intern
Melanie Olson Design Group
August 2023 - December 2023
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Gained hands-on experience and insight into the professional side of the industry. The opportunity to work closely with professionals well-versed in the industry further developed skills and expanded knowledge of design helped to further expertise. Assisted in various aspects during intern position, such as aiding designers during site visits, drawing up documentation for projects, doing sample organization, and preparing product care guide packets for clients.
Mei Riordan Interior Designer
SOFT SKILLS
Time Management
Communication
Dependability
Organization
Interpersonal Skills
Creativity
INTERESTS
Anything neutral
Starbucks
Penguins
Vanilla Ice Cream
Summer
Sconces
Beautiful Design
Quartz
Gold Jewelry
INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
LIAISON
KSID (Kirkwood Students of Interior Design) 2023-2024
IIDA STUDENT MEMBER
Great Plains Chapter 2022-2024
NEWH MEMBER
Network of Executive Women in Hospitality 2023-2024
DURKAN DSCVR PARTICIPANT
2023 & 2024 Student Competition
PHI THETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY
Kirkwood Community College
2023-2024
DESIGN RELATED TRAVELS
ITALY - STUDY ABROAD
Kirkwood Community College | July 2024
Passport Ready
Pantheon, Piazza Novanna, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain (Rome)
Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome)
Galleria Borghese (Rome)
The Colosseum, Mamertine Prison, Roman Forum (Rome)
Monte Pulciano, Pienza, UNESCO Wine Country (Excursion)
Capri & Boat Tours (Sorrento)
Pompeii & Herculaneum (Sorrento)
Ravello & Positano (Sorrento)
Ponte Vecchio, Medici Palace, Duomo (Florence)
Cinque Terre Day Tour (Florence)
The Academia & Statue of David (Florence)
Pisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa (Florence)
Piazza San Marco, Dodges Palace Tour (Venice)
***Guided tours in many locations
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES - CHICAGO
Kirkwood Community College | October 2022
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Merchandise Mart, Herman Miller Showroom, Fulton Markett-Knoll
Art Institute of Chicago & Chicago Cultural Center
IIDA Headquarters, DLR Group, Stantec
NEOCON & DESIGN DAYS - CHICAGO
Attended as a Professional | June 2024
Merchandise Mart
Showrooms & Events
Design Days - Fulton Market
Allsteel Appointment & Tour
Hospitality Design Expo - Las Vegas
Kirkwood Community College | Spring 2024
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Evolving F+B: Designing for Local, Diverse, Authentic Dining
Studio 11, Tao Group, GrizForm Design, Makeready, MGM Design
Designing Well: Cool New Concepts
The Next Wave: Rising Stars on Building Community
Bunkhouse Group, AvroKO, NuovoRE, The 26 Co.
Las Vegas Hotels
Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Cosmopolitian
Mei Riordan
Interior Designer
AWARDS
DEANS LIST
Kirkwood Community College 2022 - 2024
INTERIOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE
AWARD: CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENTATION
Kirkwood Community College
2024
OUTSTANDING COMMERCIAL
DESIGNER AWARD
Kirkwood Community College
2024
INTERIOR DESIGN EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT & HONORS AWARD
Kirkwood Community College
2024
OUTSTANDING TRANSFORMATIVE
DESIGN PROGRESS AWARD
Kirkwood Community College
2024
REFERENCES
KAYLINN NUGENT
Adjunct Professor
Kirkwood Community College
P : (402) 321 8959
E : kaylinn.nugent@kirkwood.edu
MAGGIE TALBOTT-MALONE
Personal Mentor
Kirkwood Community College
P : +1 (319) 651 3099
E : maggiertalbott@gmail.com
MELANIE OLSON
Professional Mentor
Melanie Olson Design Group
P : +1 (319) 320 6971
E : melanie@melaniebydesign.com
DESIGN RELATED TRAVELS
Passport Ready
HIGH POINT MARKET - NORTH CAROLINA
Kirkwood Community College | Spring 2023
IHFC - International Home Furnishings Center
Keynote Speakers
Joanna Gaines, Amber Lewis, Jean Stoffer, Julia Marcum
Universal Furniture Showroom & Showplace
Speaker Seminar - Studio M
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES - MINNEAPOLIS
Kirkwood Community College | November 2023
***Second Year Leader Participant Cambria Manufacturing & Faribault Woolen Mill
Target Field
Target Headquarters
DLR Group
Minneapolis Museum of Art
Basillica of Saint Mary & Saint Paul Cathedral
James J Hill House
IMS (International Market Square)
CAMBRIA HEADQUARTERS TOUR - MINNESOTA
Kirkwood Community College | November 2023
Slab Manufacturing Facility
Slab Showroom
Guided Tours
BERTCH CABINETRY - WATERLOO, IA
Kirkwood Community College | Fall 2023
Bertch Manufacturing Buildings
Explanation and Show of Manufacturing Process
Guided Tours Through Each Buidling
Bertch Showroom
Q&A with Tour Guides
STUDIO H2O - IOWA CITY, IA
Kirkwood Community College | Fall 2023
Kitchen & Bath Showroom
In-Depth Product Information
Professional Advice & Conversation
AMANA WOOLEN MILL - AMANA, IA
Kirkwood Community College | Fall 2023
Iowa’s only remaining textile mill
Manufacturing process & history
Warped & Woven Mill Mercantile