Gavin Kata is a senior majoring in interior design at the School of Planning, Design and Construction.
Last fall, Gavin Kata participated in a contest to have his artwork featured on the bridge between Spartan Stadium and the Main Library. His artwork became the winning design, which is now installed on the bridge.
“It is very rewarding to have a design based on my experiences on campus as an MSU student become a permanent part of MSU’s campus.”
Kata attributed the four seasons in mid-Michigan and its reflection by the Red Cedar River as his inspiration for the bridge’s panel design. He further added that he enjoyed working on the design drawing parallels, “because together they tell a story about the Red Cedar and my perspectives of the river throughout my first year at Michigan State.”
When asked about how he felt on learning about his winning design Kata said, “I was at a loss for words. I felt both proud and humbled by the reality of it.”
Kata said his course work and lectures from class helped him a lot along the way. When asked about the design and the process, he said that the Interior Design Program taught him how to develop a design concept based on one inspiration.
He also learned from the program how to describe a design concept in a way that is concise and easy to understand. Kata felt this helped him immensely to keep the design constant throughout the process without digressing much.
When asked about his favorite bridges, Kata immediately chose Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. He said he had the pleasure of visiting the bridge this past summer. Truly amazed by its architectural, aesthetic and structural qualities, he says the many centuries old, structural bridge includes shops and living spaces constructed on it epitomizing timeless design.
Sharing from his experiences, Kata says there are numerous opportunities for students. Some of them include joining a student group, such as the Interior Design Student Organization or USGBC Students MSU; attending networking events; competing in student design competitions; and securing an internship at a design firm.
As for plans after graduating, Kata looks forward to working for an architecture and design firm that specializes in commercial projects where he can further his design skills and incorporate his own artistic style.
