Tara Headley

Tara Headley is a part-time professor of interior design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, GA since 2020, concurrently serving as a senior interior designer at IA Interior Architects. Her career spans over a decade in corporate and hospitality design, with expertise in design documentation, Revit/Enscape software, and project management. She holds dual M.F.A. and B.F.A. degrees in interior design from SCAD.

Education:

• M.F.A., Interior Design, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
• B.F.A., Interior Design, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Research Interests: Tara specializes in corporate office and hospitality design, emphasizing sustainable practices, technology integration, and client-centric design solutions. Her work prioritizes functional aesthetics, code compliance, and cross-disciplinary collaboration with consultants and manufacturers.

Key Themes in Publications: Her presentations and articles explore global sustainability challenges, workplace design trends, career mentorship, and the intersection of design innovation with ethical practices.

Professional Awards:

• International Interior Design Association (IIDA) National Student of the Year (2015)
• IDA Emerging Designer of the Year (2016)
• Multiple IIDA/IDA Gold Awards for Design Excellence (2014–2016)

Leadership & Organizations:

• President, IIDA Georgia Chapter (present)
• Foundation Board of Trustees Chair, IIDA (2019–present)
• NEWH Scholarship Recipient (2014–2015)

Her professional contributions include leading design teams at IA Interior Architects and advocating for industry standards through IIDA leadership roles.

Design Practice: Tara’s work involves full-cycle project management from concept to construction administration, coordinating OAC meetings, and ensuring design integrity through detailed documentation. She mentors emerging designers and actively participates in industry networking initiatives.