Diego Borges, a senior in the Interior Design program, won first place in the 2015 Latino Australia Eduaction and Universidad ORT Uruguay office Universidad ORT Uruguay competition alongside other students. "It was a small but very comprehensive project. We had to transform a completely empty studio apartment into an office," he says, adding that "winning was great, but the opportunity to participate in the project’s execution as project managers was definitely the most rewarding part."
What has your experience been like studying Interior Design at ORT?
It’s been great. The university provides the resources and tools you need to do really well.
Teachers are highly knowledgeable in their field and possess great personal qualities.
The best part is being part of a group of friends and spending long days working together. Those are moments I look back on with great fondness.
A project you and other students worked on won the LAE competition last year. Tell us about the project.
It was a small but very comprehensive project. The goal was to transform a completely empty studio apartment into an office.
Formally, it consists of a “ribbon” that runs through the space and serves different functions along its entire length.
The proposal included custom-designed equipment, off-the-shelf items, lighting design, electrical installation, and corporate branding. I'm very pleased with the results.
How did you feel when you saw your hard work and creativity rewarded with first place in that contest?
To be honest, I had a lot of faith in our project. We had worked hard to develop a design that met the client’s needs while staying within the budget and timeline constraints.
Winning was great, but the opportunity to be involved in the project’s implementation as construction managers was definitely the most rewarding part.
Not many people get the chance to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in class—not just in design, but also in budgeting and construction management—before they’ve even graduated.
I’m very grateful that the school provides us with these opportunities. You learn so much, and personally, it helped me overcome certain fears I had about whether I could pull off a production. And the truth is, I was able to do it; I gained a lot of confidence, and that’s priceless.
How did you feel about presenting your portfolio at the end of your degree program?
Continuing with the theme of trust, my portfolio—which is the project I’m graduating with—reflects the two main facets of my personality: one that is more logical and structured, and another that is experimental and spontaneous.
As a teenager, I was always introverted and reserved, so I had plenty of time to study, which made me an analytical and rational person (my logical side).
However, when I started college, I met people who helped me discover a whole new side of myself. They accepted me for who I am and offered me their friendship, bringing out my playful, spontaneous side—the showman in me.
Through my portfolio, I translate my personal experiences into design. I connect my free-spirited side with concepts like form and color, and my rational side with projects that prioritize functionality and technical expertise. It’s a synthesis of my personal and professional growth that showcases the best of who I am.
What does interior design mean to you?
I believe in evolution, so my approach to design will continue to evolve as I grow professionally. Currently, I view design as a problem-solving tool. When I take on a new project, functionality must be addressed first and foremost. At the same time, however, I make decisions regarding form and concept, though these take a back seat. To quote Le Corbusier, “A house is a machine for living in.”
What role do you think it plays in people's lives?
From the moment you walk into a room, even if it’s empty, interior design is at work. Our homes, offices, and retail spaces influence how we behave in our daily lives.
From the temperature we perceive, to the emotions we feel, to the time it takes us to complete our tasks, and more.
Design shapes our lives and can certainly make them better. As a designer, I don’t set out to create magazine-worthy spaces. My job is to provide people—taking into account their circumstances and needs—with a space that makes their lives easier, a place that looks out for its inhabitants. I believe people should give themselves the opportunity to have better interiors. They are a long-term investment.
How would you rate the education provided by Universidad ORT Uruguay relation to what you encountered later in the job market?
I’m just taking my first steps into the working world, but I haven’t come across anything I haven’t already seen in class. This shows that the curriculum is designed to prepare professionals for today’s world. Likewise, I believe the most valuable thing is knowing that I’ve adopted a work methodology and philosophy that allows me to adapt to any situation. I’m not just talking about the solid technical knowledge taught at ORT, but also the ability to work both in a team and independently.