Paving the path to an agile design practice

Growing up in Chicago, Starr was surrounded by creativity and a strong female role model in her mother, who built a career as an independent sales representative in the contract furnishings industry. In addition to developing her artistic skills in drawing, painting, collaging and creative material use, Starr was exposed to design, textiles and furniture through her mother's work at Chicago's renowned Merchandise Mart.

Reflecting on her professional journey and her contribution to the design industry, Yetta Starr remains passionately devoted to using her creative and leadership skills to design environments that respond to human needs and interests, build relationships, serve community and shape daily life. That collaborative philosophy has guided Starr for over thirty years in her design practice.

Growing up, Starr explored a variety of educational opportunities and creative endeavors, giving her a foundation in art, architecture and literature. Her journey led her to the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) after she met an alumna working in Chicago.

“I was really intrigued by the cooperative education program described as alternating full-time classroom experience with full-time professional practice,” Starr said. “When I entered DAAP, I knew I had found the right direction in a place where I could draw inspiration from allied disciplines.”

The DAAP program allowed Starr to be curious in both academics and work experience, and she took advantage of those opportunities to the fullest extent through travel, education and professional growth.

At DAAP, Starr immersed herself in multidisciplinary studios, including interior design, architecture, scenic design and urban planning. Her co-op experiences also took her to Washington, D.C., Boston and New York City, where she experienced different urban environments, cultures, professional firms and approaches to design.

“The UC educational model is a catalyst for building confidence, cultivating relationships and exploring ideas,” Starr said. “All of these things are essential to navigate a professional setting and have a broader outlook as we move through this world.”

After graduating, she continued developing her skills in London with Herman Miller UK in a multidisciplinary design studio that worked closely with sales, manufacturing and marketing. The experience allowed Starr to segue into a position with the International Business Group.

“I enjoyed strategizing with our clients, leveraging manufacturing, sales and marketing resources, and working toward a successful outcome for the team,” Starr said. “It was rewarding, plus, we had afternoon tea and biscuits in the studio.”

Upon returning to the U.S., Starr's UK experience informed her work methodology at several prominent Chicago firms — Eva Maddox Associates (DAAP '66), The Environments Group and Perkins & Will, now all part of the P&W family. Starr recalled that she drew upon this immersive design-thinking approach to apply an end-to-end process in design-making.

The Chicago professional environments allowed Starr to strengthen her design and leadership skills while building vital relationships with clients and colleagues.

Through a series of promotions, Starr saved enough money to eventually establish her own firm, envisioning a unique collaborative practice that brought together a core team of multidisciplinary, skilled professionals. Initially marketing her services to large corporations, Starr kicked off her business with a sizable contract with an international manufacturing client that segued into a 15-year relationship.

Over the years, Starr Design Associates Inc. has established a niche as a resource design practice specializing in commercial interior design with a foundational focus on corporate, scientific, product development and manufacturing industries, including showrooms, workplace, education and civic interiors, exhibits and visual communication projects.

"There's always a strong interest in a deep dive into a client's historical background to get at the essence of their cultural identity with an aim to look forward,” Starr said. “It informs our conceptual approach."

Notably, the firm maintains its authenticity in building project-specific teams to address individual business challenges and to create site-specific solutions. Starr's clients include independent businesses, large organizations and institutions. In recent years, the firm has also become involved in community-based initiatives and civic projects, specifically spearheading efforts to preserve a legacy Chicago sculpture garden.

Today, Starr Design has become more than just a commercial interior design business. The firm has also won design and lighting awards and has been recognized for its advocacy in legislation for design professionals, student mentoring and community engagement projects. Yetta Starr is a contributing author to several publications that highlight the creative forces that are influencing civic life in Chicago. In her own community, Starr sees the impact that her design leadership has provided for a neighborhood public space beautified by art and gardens, activated with music and enlivened with social gathering.

“I look at my career and company presence as an arc of progression over 30 years that has ebbed and flowed with client diversity and needs, economic climate, world events and my personal individual growth,” Starr said. “Design is a proactive responsibility in how we as creative thinkers can best serve the world.”

Starr's career and connection to UC were recognized when she received the Distinguished Service to UC Award in 2017. The honor was particularly meaningful because of her work with the UC alumni community and efforts to raise funds for the Chicago Alumni Network Scholarship. In a prior year, as co-chair of the 2016 UC Gala, Starr helped create an improv-themed event in partnership with Second City that increased the scholarship fund by 25% and regaled everyone with comic antics.

"When I received the DAAP award, I emphasized that design is an act of service and a process of lifelong learning, and I still feel that way today.”

Featured image at top of Yetta Star posing for a photo at the Cultural Preservation at Chicago's Oakland Museum & Garden. Photos/provided