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HCC Interior Design students earn top honors at 2025 ASID Ruby Awards

Oct 27, 2025

Houston City College (HCC) Interior Design students earned top honors at the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) 2025 Ruby Awards.

HCC student Yue Shi (shown to the right) received the Best Residential Student Award, recognizing her outstanding creativity and technical skill in residential interior design.

“I love to express myself through design, and my project captured the essence of nature and mindful equilibrium,” Shi said. “I used wood tones and textures to create a space that promotes relaxation and would allow me to recharge.”

Shi, 33, has now completed all her course requirements at HCC. Earlier, after completing college in China, the Beijing native immigrated to the U.S. to study at Syracuse University for a master’s degree in finance.

“After working in that field, I knew I wanted a change,” she said. “HCC was at the right time and place for me to  study interior design and it is now my passion.” She first interned at Laura Manchee Designs in Houston and was recently hired in a full-time role there.

In addition to Shi’s individual honor, an HCC student team won the Best Commercial Student Award for their design of a proposed Biotechnology Innovation Center at HCC’s Coleman College for Health Sciences. Team members included Haleh Zahir Mirdamadi,  Alhan Vazquez Galvan, Chandrika Duran and Emely Montoya.

“The team tackled a full-floor redesign within an existing building, working closely with Coleman administration throughout the process,” said Jackie Barry, HCC interior design professor and studio instructor. “The collaboration gave students invaluable hands-on, real-world experience, including direct engagement with clients, mirroring the professional design process from concept to presentation.”

Recent HCC graduate Montoya said she and her fellow students enjoyed working as a team, taking into account  all opinions.

 “For me, the project really encouraged teamwork and effective communication,” said Montoya, who now works at a local interior design agency. “It helped us achieve the best ideas for the project to please the client.”

The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of ASID promotes design excellence and supports the interior design profession through education, collaboration and community engagement. The awards were presented last month  at an event at the River Oaks Theater in Houston.