Meet our Alumni: Louis Iannone

Louis, a 2015 graduate of the BS in interior design program, was recently recognized by Boutique Design magazine as the Class of 2024 top 18 designers in boutique hospitality design.

Where are you from originally?

Gloucester Township, New Jersey.

What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?

Studying Interior Design in Rome alongside my peers has been of the most cherished times of my journey at Jefferson. Although I was hesitant to travel at first, it is a moment in my life I constantly look back on and promote to prospective students as often as I can.

What has having a Jefferson degree done for you and how has it prepared you for your career?

My degree from Jefferson has prepared me for my career by not only providing the theoretical and technical experience to jump headfirst into the industry but it also fostered long-lasting professional relationships that have aided my growth along this journey. I am constantly blown away by the immense talent that Jefferson continues to foster in their students, truly making them young professionals upon graduation.

What are you doing now?

I am currently the Director of Interior Design at Eimer Design. We are a small but mighty boutique hospitality design firm that focuses on food and beverage experiences such as restaurants, bars, food halls, and curated markets. Prior to joining Eimer Design, I was an Associate, Senior Interior Designer at Daroff Design, Inc. (now Nelson Worldwide) for nearly seven years which was my first job upon graduating from Jefferson.

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?

That my passion for designing food and beverage environments comes from my experience working in my family’s restaurant. Growing up in the innerworkings on the service side has provided me with a unique asset in understanding not only the operational component of restaurant design but how to truly create a unique guest experience.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?

Now is your opportunity to be creative without restraint so never be afraid to push the boundaries to show everyone what you are capable of. You are in a position where you’re learning from industry professionals, but do not forget that along this path, we are constantly learning from you as well. You drive us to be better mentors while unknowingly making us the mentee.

Tell us about your recent honor from Boutique Design and what it means to you?

I was recently inducted into Boutique Design’s B18 Class of 2024 and honored at the prestigious Gold Key Awards Gala concluding the BDNY (Boutique Design New York) trade show. It is truly the epitome of my career to be recognized by my peers as a designer in our industry that fosters design excellence in hospitality design. This is just the beginning of this new chapter of my journey, and I am excited to see how this path continues to unfold.