Lori Ridington’s art ability, specifically her talent with drawing, surfaced in her as a young child. Her talent even awarded her the honor of having one of her paintings on the cover of Chesapeake Bay Magazine for the May 1980 issue. Along with painting, she also liked sketching floor plans. With her desire to pursue a fine art career, Lori went first to Kutztown University. Unsure about what she wanted to do with her fine arts degree, she met with her advisor, who asked Loir about her hobbies. Realizing that she liked “drawing floor plans,” Lori began to think about the direction and creative approach she wanted to take with her art. It was then that Lori decided to pursue an Interior Design degree at The Art Institute of Philadelphia.
While at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Lori’s learning took place inside and out of the classroom. She held a Designer Apprenticeship at Vincent Kling Partnership Architects, Engineers, and Interior Design Firm in Philadelphia, PA. Lori next worked for Dolores Brown Design, a high end Designer. While there, Lori worked on a project with Dolores designing the London Victory Club, taking care of all details from pillows to paint. Dolores was a big inspiration to Lori as she saw things “not even out on the market yet.”
After graduating, her career took Lori all over the nation. Thinking she might try being a “ski bum” in Utah, Lori ended up landing an amazing job with Herman Miller Inc., where she worked for the next 9 years. Lori started as a Senior Designer/Planner for Space Designs, Inc., a full service interior design firm specializing in commercial interiors, in Salt Lake City. Returning to Pennsylvania, Lori next worked in Blue Bell, PA with the Milcare Division of Herman Miller, where she managed the interior design of healthcare facilities.
Leaving Herman Miller after 9 years, Lori decided to take another leap in her career by opening up her own café espresso bar/art gallery/ custom frame shop in Jeffersonville, PA.
Lori's zest for new experiences and career opportunities helped her find Endless Pools in Aston, PA. Endless Pools Swimming Machines are the “treadmills for swimmers” through which customers can have small pools designed in their homes. Lori has designed and sold pools all over the world. Lori has come out on top in the last 4 sales contests with her company.
Lori has taken her design skills and applied them in non-traditional ways as well. Lori says, “As artists, we look at where we are going, not where we are. . . ” While working at Herman Miller, to keep her active mind alert, she decided to also get her pilot's license. As a visual designer, Lori grasped the concept of an instrumental panel very quickly and became a recreation pilot.
Lori looks forward to her future in design. Lori expects to return to The Art Institute to share her career experiences with future designers in the industry. Lori wants those attending The Art Institute of Philadelphia today to know: “A design career does not have to be ordinary! Mine certainly has not been!”