Female student combines creativity with architectural designs

LEVELLAND – Kalyssa Clemons is working her way toward a rewarding career that promotes her creative juices while crafting non-traditional architectural designs.

The Lubbock native is a graduate of Lubbock High School. She came to South Plains College to study pre-med; however, a week before classes began, she changed her major to Computer Aided Drafting and Design.

"I always wanted to look into architecture and engineering," she said. "And I knew that you had to know CADD in order to be successful in your career. Knowing that South Plains College offered it and that it was not too far from Lubbock, I decided to switch over and join the program."

For her first project, Clemons had to build a house. "Basically, it was a house with our own personal preferences, and he gave us parameters such as a certain height on the roof and how many rooms," she said.

"We got to use our creative flair, and with me being very creative, I decided to go all out on my project," she said. “Honestly, that’s when I fell in love with the program because I knew that this was something I could do. The projects that we’ve done so far don’t really feel like homework. I could spend hours on a project and then do it all over again."

Clemons knows this time at SPC is the first leg of her journey, and she’s already preparing for what happens next.

"I don’t know where I’m going to go, but I have a list of schools," she said. "I know that I don’t want to stay in Lubbock. After high school, I moved to San Francisco, Calif., for a year. I got to experience the big city, and I really loved it. I moved back to Lubbock, and I really missed the big city. So, I know I want to live in a big city."

Presently, Clemons is working part time for a local architecture firm as a CADD technician. She thought she might pursue structural engineering, but she found the industry lacked the opportunity to use her creative bones. She said the mathematics and design must be precise and correct. Thus, her focus now is on architecture.

Clemons said there are several institutions she is considering. Each school offers an accredited bachelor’s degree program in architecture. She said she is focusing on the school’s hiring practices for its own graduates as well as whether they offer a master’s degree. Two of the schools have an interior architecture degree along with their architecture program, but their location is not ideal, she said.

"One is in Alabama, and the other is at the University of Southern California," she said. "Another one is the University of Miami, and one in Savanah, Ga. They have a college called SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I really love their school because it's focused on design. They have a minor in interior design and product/furniture design, which is stuff that I’m interested in."

Also on her list of potential schools are Louisiana State University, the New York Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. Clemons said Pratt is one of the top schools for architecture, and they focus heavily on employing their own graduates who have moved on to master’s degrees.

Since her arrival at SPC, Clemons said her most challenging class is the intermediate drafting that she is taking this semester. It’s challenging to present a 3D object in 2D, she added.

"The class had to perform a bend allowance where you have to calculate how much to bend the sheet of metal and the angle before you have to flatten it," she said. "That was hard but fun. It teaches you something new."

Clemons said she recognizes that there is a need for more women in this industry. She said she sees it as a chance to use more creativity and freedom in design compared to the highly structured engineering field. She wants to see more women in this industry, and she encourages women to consider architecture as a career because of the artistic outlets can be presented.

"Architecture is an art in itself in the way of physically creating art and in how humans function," she said. "It’s more than just making buildings. It’s about building the future, building communities and then anticipating how people are influenced by the buildings they interact with daily. Architecture is not just buildings; you can make swimming pools, landscaping, schools and hotels. It has its limits, but it's free in the way of expressing your creativity."

Clemons' interest in architecture began several years ago when she and her mother, Janet Clemons, would drive around town looking at homes.

"I told her that I really wanted to design homes and hotels," she said. "Designing a hotel—I find that quite fascinating. I find the impact that buildings have on people fascinating; that’s why I fell in love with architecture."

Presently, Clemons’ schedule keeps her on the go. She rarely has downtime for hobbies and interests. She said she would love to one day pursue pottery and glass blowing—just not right now. She knows she must pay her dues and focus on her studies. Her mother, Miss Clemons, holds a master’s degree in criminal justice, and her father, Steve Girdy, served in the U.S. Navy. He was a technician in radiology, and he passed in 2012. Her brother, Tariq Clemons, attends community college in Dallas, where he is studying accounting. Clemons is on track to graduate in May 2024.

 

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Computer Aided Drafting and Design is a field that presents many opportunities in high-tech industry. The Computer Aided Drafting and Design curriculum is designed to provide graduates with the essential knowledge and skills in technical drawing on a computer and use of specialized software.  Upon obtaining an Associate of Applied Science degree, the student is prepared to enter the workforce as an entry-level technical graphics and design specialist in the fields of architecture, engineering, manufacturing, surveying, GIS, and related industries. Certificate of Proficiency options in Basic CAD design and Advanced CAD design are also offered for students seeking short-term training.

To qualify for the associate of applied science degree, students must complete a Capstone Experience, which includes comprehensive oral, written and practical skills exams or an external learning experience during the final semester of the program.