Alumni

Senior Interior Designer, Architectural Studies Alumna

Jade Li, a distinguished alumna of Mizzou’s Architectural Studies program, has followed a unique path that embodies the spirit of curiosity, resilience, and transformation. Beginning her college journey in the Journalism program with a passion for storytelling, Jade soon felt the pull toward a different path. An introductory architecture history course ignited her love for design, leading her to change her major to interior design—a bold move that set her on a fulfilling career path.

Jade’s time at Mizzou was marked by active involvement in organizations such as the Design With Digital Media Student Organization and the Dean’s Advisory Board, experiences that shaped her professional interests, particularly in sustainability. “Sustainability was a huge item when I was in school,” she recalls, noting that her commitment to sustainable and regenerative design has remained a core part of her career philosophy.

After graduating in 2016, Jade’s career took her across the globe, allowing her to work on diverse international projects that deepened her understanding of cultural sensitivity in design. Her time abroad taught her the importance of understanding both language and cultural context. “Language has power. When clients say ‘yes,’ sometimes they mean ‘maybe.’ You have to understand the cultural language itself,” she explains.

In the U.S., Jade broke new ground as the youngest Asian American president of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Southern California Chapter. Reflecting on her role, she acknowledges the challenge of navigating a space where few leaders looked like her, saying, “I didn’t know it was a possibility because there was no one like me in that role before.” Embracing this opportunity, Jade became the role model she had once lacked.

Philosophy

Jade’s commitment to design is anchored in her desire to create positive change. One of her most impactful concepts, “Project Hero,” envisioned movable triage centers for emergency response—a project that, though not yet realized, illustrates her dedication to humanitarian design. Her advice to current students is clear: “Stay curious and try things out. Design is about humanity, and the more experiences you have, the more you bring to the table.”