Dunn-Edwards Portraits: Arizona Man Who Shaped His Own Future Wins First Runner-Up in Student Design Competition

Christopher Fill's journey to interior design came as a second career. The Scottsdale, Arizona resident first rose through the ranks of the insurance industry for over twenty-five years. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed how business was conducted, Fill re-evaluated his career. 

“I had felt very fulfilled at my job, and I was very much a leader in the industry,” Fill acknowledged. “But when the pandemic hit, I stopped meeting with clients. Suddenly, I wasn’t on airplanes, and I had more time to think. I thought more about what made me happy. So, after twenty-five years in the insurance industry, I enrolled at Scottsdale Community College to pursue an associate degree in interior design.” Fill stated that this decision was influenced by a life event. “My husband and I bought a house and remodeled it pretty much from the ground up,” he explained. “Some people don’t enjoy that part of the process, but I loved picking the colors and the materials. That motivated me to think I could do this. That is when I pursued schooling.” A choice that changed the trajectory of his life. 

Fill was the first runner-up in the 2023 Emerging Professionals Design Competition, sponsored by Dunn-Edwards. He also received recognition for his outstanding growth from his previous year’s submission. The 2023 competition required entrants to redesign the living area of a celebrity's casita, or small guesthouse. Student designers had to work within constraints and incorporate Terra Rosa (DE5096), the Dunn Edwards 2023 color of the year. Fill's design melded mid-century modern with tropical ambiance. The styles of South Beach, Miami, and Palm Springs influenced the project. Fill created an indoor/outdoor space with an expansive glass door that folded open to a courtyard. While Terra Rosa anchored the design, Fill incorporated several other Dunn-Edwards Paints colors, including Spooled White (DE6071) and Grapevine (DET408). 

Fill said that getting involved in unique ways outside the classroom has enriched his education and professional development. “Just entering contests such as the Emerging Professionals Design Competition is a tremendous opportunity,” he noted. “They are a wonderful way to get your work out there and get noticed.” 

 Fill was surprised to learn of his rank but ecstatic because such competitions enable him to track his development and he encourages other students to do the same. “This is the second year I entered the contest,” he said. “So, I could compare my 2022 entry to this year’s entry. That was a gift. It showed me my growth and development as a designer.” Fill said that growth gave him the insight to “realize what colors and materials work best together. I’m also learning to take more risks and be more unique in my style. Entering these contests has been crucial.” While Fill recognizes the importance of keeping abreast of new developments in the industry, he also finds it challenging to do so. “Technology is the biggest challenge and the biggest asset in terms of a skill that interior designers need now,” Fill acknowledged. “People are very used to seeing things digitally, and clients want to see three-dimensional renderings of a space. They want to visualize the colors, the furniture, the materials, and the textures. That has challenged me the most because technology moves so quickly. But it is vital to learn it and continue to grow within the industry.” 

As a designer, Fill has an affinity for residential space. His primary focus is to ensure that such spaces are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. “I think one of my biggest frustrations is walking into a room like a kitchen that is beautiful, but it just doesn’t work,” he said. “We were recently at a rental house that had a big, beautiful island in the middle of the kitchen. It had stools on both sides, but when you pulled the stools out, you couldn’t even open the dishwasher to do your dishes. So yes, it looked great. But it wasn’t functional.” Fill aims to help his clients create spaces that combine both comfort and class. "I consider myself a traditionalist in that I draw inspiration from historic architecture,” he noted. “I draw inspiration from the past, including tin ceilings, masonry, and the formality of rooms. As a designer, I still like a bit of formality in rooms. We have gravitated a lot toward open-concept spaces. That is great for a kitchen area, but for a work area or a more private space, I really do value just having more formality, tradition, and privacy.”  

For Fill, color is a significant part of the design process. “When I start a design, color is really at the forefront of my mind,” he said. “Color is often the deciding factor in a design, and it is more influential than just its hue. Warmer colors—reds and oranges—appear bolder. Cooler colors like blue and green can calm a space. Thinking about what colors to mix to create peace and balance in a home is so important.” For his own home, Fill turned to Dunn-Edwards’ Reclaimed Wood (DET625). The rustic, light neutral gray color “has a very calming aesthetic,” according to Fill. “It is my favorite color, and it has a wonderful layer of coziness,” he noted. “It just envelopes you in comfort.” 

Fill recognizes he is in a unique position in his life. He is changing careers later in life, attending college at an age when most of his classmates are first-time students. Reflecting on his journey, Fill said he would advise others interested in similar careers to “be resilient and keep learning.” “I was a successful executive who switched to interior design after thinking about doing what I really loved,” he said. “There will always be opportunities out there if you keep learning, be resilient, and don’t be afraid.”  

Access helpful resources & stay tuned for the latest updates about the next Emerging Professionals Design Competition for students here.