Failure is proof you had the courage to try. Pick yourself up, keep trying, and celebrate small successes along the way.
Brittany Chunn, MID, NCIDQ, IIDA, RID · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Brittany
Brittany Chunn, MID, NCIDQ, IIDA, RID, is a licensed and registered Interior Designer based in the Atlanta metropolitan area with more than a decade of professional experience. She currently serves as a Senior Interior Designer at Metro Atlanta Area, where she leads design efforts for medical office buildings, municipal facilities, and higher education projects. Brittany’s path into interior design began unexpectedly during her time at Georgia Southern University, where she initially planned to pursue education. While navigating campus, she mistakenly entered the interior design building and immediately felt a strong connection to the field, recognizing that she had been using interior design software since childhood. Following that pivotal moment, she transferred and completed both her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Interior Design through a dual degree program at Brenau University. Her early career became deeply rooted in government and institutional design, where she developed expertise in jails, prisons, courthouses, administrative buildings, fire stations, police stations, and higher education environments. She also served as an adjunct professor at Gwinnett Technical College, teaching the technical foundations of interior design including AutoCAD, Revit, and professional documentation standards. Over time, her work has expanded into corporate and hospitality design, reflecting a continued evolution of her creative and technical expertise. In October 2025, Brittany achieved a major professional milestone by passing all interior design licensing exams on her first attempt, becoming a registered interior designer with the State of Georgia. This accomplishment marked a defining moment in her career after being told the exams were exceptionally challenging and often required multiple attempts. She describes her work as most rewarding when clients see their vision fully realized and exceed their expectations, finding fulfillment in transforming ideas into functional, human-centered environments that meaningfully enhance how people live, work, and experience space.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brittany
01What do you attribute your success to?
One of the biggest factors behind my success has been watching my mother’s journey. She was a single parent for many years while serving in the military, yet she still pursued higher education relentlessly. She eventually earned three associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a specialist degree beyond that. Over the course of her 25-year military career, she rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and ultimately served as a "First Shirt", one of the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer leadership positions on a base.
Seeing her balance motherhood, military leadership, and education showed me what resilience, discipline, and determination truly look like. I credit so much of my drive and ambition to her example. She taught me that no matter the obstacles, you can continue growing and achieving if you refuse to give up.
That mindset has shaped how I approach my own career and goals. Everything I do is rooted in the desire to create a better future for the next generation and to show my children what’s possible through perseverance, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve received from architects and interior designers is to never stop learning and never become too comfortable. The design industry is constantly evolving through new technology, sustainability practices, building codes, or changing client needs and the most successful professionals are the ones who remain adaptable and committed to growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One piece of advice I would give is to never allow anyone to dim your light or discourage you from pursuing your goals. In any industry, there will be challenges and people who may question your abilities, but it’s important to remain confident in who you are and continue pushing forward despite those obstacles.
That message is especially meaningful for Black women in the interior design industry, where representation is still extremely limited. Black women make up only about 4% of the industry, which is why there are scholarships and initiatives specifically designed to support women of color pursuing careers in design. The need for greater diversity and representation is very real.
For me, one of the most important aspects of my journey is encouraging and uplifting other Black women in interior design. I want others to see that there is space for them in this industry, that their perspectives are valuable, and that they absolutely belong at the table. Representation matters, and I believe it’s important to continue opening doors and creating opportunities for the next generation of designers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Architecture, Engineering & Construction are still male dominated industies and unfortunately at times, I have to work harder to ensure my voice and expertise are recognized. At the same time, that challenge has created some of my greatest opportunities. Throughout my career, I’ve loved sharing my success story and talking about what inspired me to enter the industry. Over the past few months especially, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with other women who are pursuing their licenses and professional credentials, sharing the strategies and resources that helped me succeed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My career has been shaped by resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to growth and family. While earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I balanced pregnancy, motherhood, and demanding academic schedules—graduating cum laude (Master’s) while continuing to push forward professionally.
My values are rooted in hard work, curiosity, and never limiting what I’m willing to learn. I’ve sought hands-on experience across the industry, from construction methods like tile and upholstery to technical systems like electrical and HVAC, because I believe strong design comes from understanding how things are built.
I also value leadership and service. Transitioning from part-time teaching technical drawing and mentoring students to a full-time role managing a 15–22 project workload while preparing for the NCIDQ reinforced my belief in accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Above all, I value support and community. I didn’t do any of this alone (I was supported by my husband and family) and that foundation is what allows me to show up fully, give my best, and also pour into others. Today, I carry those same values into my work and into mentoring others, especially women coming into the industry.
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