Design Philosophy
Connecting Ideas Bringing Clarity Creating Place
A Different Way of Thinking
Every project begins with curiosity.
Rather than seeing architecture, branding, storytelling, and strategic planning as separate services, I see them as complementary tools. Each project requires a different combination, but the goal is always the same: helping clients make confident decisions and creating experiences that are meaningful, memorable, and lasting.
I enjoy bringing clarity to complex ideas—whether that means designing a building, developing a brand, illustrating a children's book, communicating a capital campaign, or creating a place where people feel they belong.
Practice & Teaching
Marla Emory Design Co. is grounded in both professional practice and education.
As a tenured Associate Professor and Program Chair of Interior Design at Louisiana Tech University, I teach design leadership, collaborative design, and narrative-based design processes. My work in the classroom continually informs my professional practice, just as real-world projects enrich the educational experience I provide for my students.
Beyond the Studio
When I'm not working with clients, you'll often find me traveling with a sketchbook in hand.
Sketching has become more than a way to document places—it has become a way to understand them. Sitting in a plaza, along a quiet street, or inside a historic building invites conversations that might never happen otherwise. Those moments of observation and connection continue to shape how I design, how I teach, and how I experience the world.
Experience
For more than twenty five years, I've worked at the intersection of professional practice and design education, partnering with homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, universities, and community organizations to transform ideas into meaningful places and experiences.
Credentials
Licensed Interior Designer (LA Reg ID #1632)
NCIDQ Certified
Bachelor of Interior Design
Bachelor of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Current Roles
Founder, Marla Emory Design Co.
Associate Professor, Louisiana Tech University
Program Chair, Interior Design, Louisiana Tech University