Interior design may be Nathan Simon’s degree at RMCAD, but he may be best described as a jack-of-all-trades. Tackling many exciting projects and exploring far beyond the scope of his degree, he knows that the juice is always worth the squeeze. From interviewing nationally acclaimed artists to becoming a RMCAD Student Ambassador, Simon is getting the most out of his college experience.
However, things haven’t always been so simple for Simon. Like many artists, it took serious soul-searching to conclude that art school was the right choice. He opened up that he “always felt a little bit lost. Like I was just bouncing around and trying this job or that job, just hoping that something would pan out later in life.”
Going Back to School
His path to RMCAD began with a friend. Not one in art school, but one who worked a high-paying finance job in downtown Chicago. At the time, Simon and his partner called the city home. After having dropped out of college and bouncing between jobs, he was working as a barista when he heard about a job opening at his friend’s finance firm. He made it through the entire interview process and was offered the job.
However, it was that same friend who told him he shouldn’t take the job. Simon was astounded and asked, “What are you talking about? This is the highest-paying job I have ever been offered in my life; it’s not even close.” He told me, “I just don’t feel like this is where you want to be. Where do you want to be?” I told him how I’ve always loved art and design. That was when he asked me, “Instead of taking this job, why don’t you think about putting your efforts back into that?””
That got Simon thinking. What was he really passionate about? Where did he want to be? He had always been highly creative and loved art in nearly every medium, but at that point, he wasn’t sure what path that passion should lead him down. Should he find a job in the arts apprenticing? Should he focus on building his portfolio? Should he go back to school? But for what?
Why Interior Design?
It was then that he thought back to his time working in event planning. Simon remembered how he loved touring new venues. Certain spaces led to extremely successful events, while others came up short. “It made me start thinking as a creative, what makes a good space versus what makes a bad space?” shared Simon.
Replaying those memories of events back in his head, reminding himself of the spaces’ function and atmosphere, their gathering spaces, and their secret alcoves, that was when Simon decided to go back to school. But not for interior design, not yet anyway.
“In Chicago, they have such a rich history of architecture, so it’s easy to fall in love with it there,” said Simon, who had taken up an architecture program at a community college in Chicago. But because his program lasted only two years, he always knew he would have to transfer somewhere else to finish his education.
Making the Move
“I never thought I’d be out in Denver, Colorado,” joked Simon. However, after researching programs that fit his needs, he found RMCAD and decided to attend his interior design courses in person. At that same time, Simon was finalizing the plans for his wedding. Needless to say, that moment in his life was a whirlwind. “I moved, I started my part-time job, I got married, and started school all within a span of two months. It was crazy!”
Nonetheless, he managed to do it all and do it well. Although, once he started at RMCAD, he didn’t ease off the gas. Riding that momentum, Simon took off running. Sharing that while he’s here at RMCAD, it’s “really important for me to get involved with different things.”
Diving into VASD
In the fall of 2024, Simon was inspired to dive deeper into interior design and the RMCAD community when Meow Wolf Convergence Station’s Art Director, Justin Martin, came to campus through the Visiting Artist, Scholar, + Designer Program. As an interior designer and avid lover of themed spaces such as Meow Wolf, Simon applied to be a student moderator in the hopes of asking questions specifically to the likes of Justin Martin. Simon shared how excited he was when he “found out about the VASD program and the opportunity to speak with these artists who are so successful, I definitely wanted to go for it!” When his application was accepted, he was overjoyed.
Simon loved picking Martin’s brain so much that he applied again and again for the position of Student Q+A moderator for each subsequent VASD event. Mustering world-class advice directly from the likes of Deanna Van Buren, Mindy Johnson, Jeff Unay, and Adam Moss. Each speaker provided Simon with their own input on what it means to be a creative. “I’ve always loved conversations centered around being creative,” said Simon, who went on to add that “even if we’re not interested in the same things. I love it when I can talk to someone who is clearly passionate about creating!”
Becoming a RMCAD Student Ambassador
Empowered by the insights of these speakers, Simon desired to share what he had learned. Prescribing to the philosophy that knowledge shared is knowledge squared, he felt responsible to take on a greater role of leadership in the community. In his opinion, “You can’t be a person that wants to ask questions to someone above you and then be uninterested in being that person for someone else.” As a student ambassador, he saw an opportunity to become a mentor in his own right.
As a self-described “people person,” he was a natural fit for the role. Beginning in the fall term of 2025, Simon first donned the ambassador’s blue polo. Helping out with orientations, campus tours, and student life events roots him more deeply in the community. He is grateful that the “school has offered me so many opportunities!” As such, he encourages students to take advantage of the opportunities in RMCAD’s tight-knit community.
Whether it’s showing prospective students the ropes or planning events that foster community amongst current students, Simon sees the most important duty of his role as being present for the members of the community who need his input. Joking that “It’s not like I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, trying to be there for fellow students. I love talking to people!”
“As an ambassador, I say this all the time to prospective students who are touring. We are a small school, so you’ll have the benefits of small classes and more time with professors. But just as important are the opportunities available beyond the classroom. I really enjoy helping other people see those resources!”
Doing the Little Things
At every turn in the road, he is reminded of his past. Simon remains humble and grateful for all his experiences, even the hard ones. Whistfully, Simon reflected on his first time in college: “Right out of school, I failed at a lot of stuff because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had no drive for school, so I quit, but I also kind of flunked out of college.”
Reminiscing on those past tribulations, he is reminded of how far he has come, how much he has learned, and how much he has passed on to the students who are now in his same shoes. Going from 0.8 GPA before he flunked out of college the first time to becoming a full-time student again, making the honor society, all while holding down a full-time job. Even he’s amazed sometimes when he stops to think about it, “it’s wild to me that this guy who failed out of college earlier, is not only in college again, but thriving, and trying to help others pursue their best!”
So what is the secret to Nathan Simon’s success? What is the one tip he would pass on to anyone looking to improve themselves? His answer: “Focus on little things.” That’s the advice a friend gave him years ago when he was struggling with doubt. Since then, those are the words he lives by.
In his naive youth, Simon shared how he told a successful friend, “You’re doing really big things, and I feel like I’m stuck in life.” And I remember them telling me, “I’m not doing big things; they look big right now, but really, all I did was a lot of little things. All of my life, I’ve just done little things that have gotten me here.” Since then, that’s what he focuses on. The small action items may not seem like much at first glance. Turning down a job, enrolling for community college, moving to Colorado, applying to moderate a talk, and becoming a student ambassador – those are the little things that turn into something big. Or as Simon puts it, “Don’t worry about doing something big immediately, focus on the little things. Because those little things, they stack up!”
Are you ready to take your next creative step?
If you’re interested in getting involved and creating a future in interior design, then you should learn more about Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design’s on-campus BFA in Interior Design and online BFA in Interior Design programs. Our skills-based curriculum helps students harness their creativity in home interiors, retail design, hospitality, and more. Request more information about our interior design degree program today.
Many of the quotes in this story have been edited for brevity and clarity by the author, but are meant to retain the significance and purpose of the original speaker.
