Rocky Mumo
Interior Architecture and Design
Nottingham Trent University (UK)
- Summarise your transitional experience from high school to tertiary education, including your expectations and the actual experience. (Taking into account the career aspirations you initially had while in high school and currently)
I have always been fascinated by the design of the built environment and urban landscapes. This is why I was drawn to the field of architecture and especially the Art and Design subject in high school, which provided a solid foundation for comprehending
the course’s fundamental principles now that I’m in college. I looked forward to immersing myself in the subject and being surrounded by people who shared the same passion for the course. I, however, quickly realised that the course was far more difficult
than I had imagined as the semesters ensued. The schoolwork was considerably more intense and demanding than I had been accustomed to. The good thing is that I quickly realised that I was not alone in my struggles. Many of my peers were also struggling to
adapt to the demands of tertiary education. This prompted me to seek assistance from my lecturers and to also team up with my peers, a step that has gradually helped me gain back confidence in my abilities. My enthusiasm for the subject continues to grow
stronger as I slowly unfold new chapters. I continue to learn every day my overarching guide being the deep and purposeful conviction to become a successful professional in the field. Overall, the shift from high school to tertiary study was a rigorous but fulfilling experience. The journey so far has been a reflective one. I have learnt a great deal about myself, and my capabilities, as well as that of working smart and with a lot of perseverance.
- Share the lessons learnt
Its important to put work into building positive habits that keep you focused and highly productive.
- What are your favourite college activities and how do you overcome any challenges.
One of my favourite university activities is playing basketball. It is a great way to alleviate stress and clear my mind. I also like participating in design group projects and discussions. I find them interesting as they combine creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. Fieldwork and site visits also offer thrilling ways to get involved in the real-life implementation of design principles and ideas that I have learnt from my coursework. The trips also allow me to visit new places and make connections with my peers.
- Are you engaged in any extracurricular activities, leadership positions, conferences, projects, groups/associations, community service, or other endeavours you that have helped you develop personally either locally or globally.
The most exciting extracurricular activities for me are where I apply learned skills in real-life hypothetical projects. Some of the projects involve re-designing the infrastructure of rural primary schools in Kenya with locally available materials that are both affordable and sustainable. The projects look into how I can energise communities to become a force for architecture, thereby significantly decreasing construction costs and creating structures that reflect the local people’s identity.
The design proposal showcase changes and alteration to the interior and exterior facades, as well as some repairs and repurposing. All in an effort to create suitable learning environments. While I primarily develop design proposals, I hope to see some of these projects come to fruition in the near future.
- Share any quote, inspiration, meme or motivation that keeps you going each day
Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today – Will Rogers
