Texas Tech University

Melissa Bachmeyer Alumni Profile

Melissa Bachmeyere Interior Design alumna Texas Tech2005 Interior Design (ID) alumna Melissa Bachmeyer, IIDA says that life as a Registered Interior Designer in Texas allows her to live out her dream of designing for healthcare facilities. Melissa currently works in her role as Senior Associate Interior Designer for Boulder Associates Architects.

"My role entails designing interiors for healthcare facilities while integrating an architectural design team with leadership to establish our small but rapidly growing Dallas office," Melissa said. "Healthcare clients are uniquely passionate about projects. Design can impact the health of those using the space and to be able to contribute is incredibly rewarding."

Melissa always knew she wanted to be an interior designer, being the daughter of a contractor. When Melissa took a tour of the Texas Tech University campus, she was quickly sold on both the university and Interior Design program.

"When choosing schools, I was searching for a place that could offer me new experiences and environments. Once I toured Texas Tech, I knew it was the place to be. The fact that Tech offered an excellent ID program was icing on the cake."

In her interior design coursework, Melissa emphasizes that the mix of soft skills and technical skills allowed her to hone her skills as a future interior designer working to enhance the lives of patients in medical and healthcare settings.

"The program does a great job of preparing us for the everyday aspect of working in design, but also teaches skills to better understand and interact with people, communicate concepts, and build a space. At the end of the day, design is about people."

Thinking back on her undergraduate experience, Melissa recalls the collaboration studio course as one of the most helpful classes that most applies to her current role.

"By placing Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture students together to produce a semester-long project directly relates to the real world. It teaches how critical each discipline is to the successful implementation of a project. As we become a more connected community, this integration during our education puts Texas Tech graduates a step ahead."

Today, Melissa enjoys giving back to the ID program through her participation on the ID Alumni Board.

"I enjoy reconnecting with old classmates, meeting other ID Red Raiders of past and present, growing my network, and contributing to the legacy of Texas Tech producing excellent designers by sharing my own real-world experience."

Melissa imparts some well-earned advice to her peers.

"The best advice I ever got was in my interview for my very first job. I asked what they were looking for, and she told me 'a sponge.' Absorb everything around you. Be game for anything. Buckle down, figure it out, and ask for help when you need it."