by Christy Heitger-Ewing
HER Design Build Academy Offers Prototype Intensive Series
In December 2024, a Forbes article dubbed plumbers the next millionaires–they’re making more money than physicians. Meanwhile, there’s a labor shortage across the construction industry as more parents encourage their children to attend university rather than pursuing a career in the trades.
“You don’t necessarily have to go to college to make a good living,” says Keianna Rae Harrison-Williams, MA, PhD, Executive Director of Design & Remodeling Operations at HER Design Build LLC.
In January 2025, Harrison-Williams opened HER Home Design Academy Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 with a team committed to hands-on learning experiences, mentorship programs, and educational initiatives. They offer the Interior Design Series, Women Werk It series, and Prototype Intensive Series, which consists of three tailored tracks:
Prototype 5, Prototype 6, and Prototype 10, all of which cover architecture, construction, interior design, and remodeling. Prototype 5 is a one-week program for fifth and sixth graders designed to pique their interest in the construction trades field. Prototype 6 is a six-month program for adults while Prototype 10 is for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Participants in Prototypes 6 and 10 spend the first half of the program learning about the theory behind the industry. The last half is spent working with the team to build a tiny house by focusing on the area they liked most. Participants can earn a variety of various certifications following completion of these two programs.
“There’s nothing like it around,” says Harrison-Williams. “Everyone thinks they want to become an interior designer or a carpenter until they get into it and realize, ‘Whoa, this isn’t what I signed up for!’”
These programs show the fun, but real side of the construction field while also giving people an up-close, hands-on, intensive look at what a certain career is like. While society assigns great value to being an accountant, a lawyer, or a doctor rather than a plumber, an electrician, or a designer, let’s not forget that if your toilet goes out, a doctor is of no help.
“The trades are the wave of the future,” says Harrison-Williams.
“The construction industry is a viable option for anybody who wants to have a healthy career that’s based on longevity.”
If you’re a passionate learner who would like to master the art of designing and building beautiful, functional spaces, visit herhomedesignacademy.org to see a listing of all of the program offerings.
