Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Class of 2025: Designing across cultures, Yuriko Ose is building a global career

Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.

For Portland Community College student Yuriko Ose, interior design is more than an aesthetic pursuit ¡ª it is a cultural expression. As she prepares to graduate with honors from PCC this June with an associate degree in Interior Design, Ose is already applying her skills in the real world, blending international perspectives with local expertise.

¡°Culture shapes the spaces we inhabit,¡± Ose said. ¡°This cultural influence has had a lasting impact on my approach to design, inspiring me to pursue a career where I can blend these principles with contemporary design solutions.¡±

Born in the United States and raised in Japan since the age of seven, Ose brings a unique global outlook to her work. She first earned a bachelor¡¯s degree in Foreign Languages and Literature at Sophia University, the oldest Catholic university in Japan, and studied abroad in France before deciding to pursue her passion for design at PCC.

From Tokyo to Tigard: Designing for the Pacific Northwest

As part of her PCC experience, Ose is currently interning with Ichijo Technological Homes, one of Japan¡¯s largest homebuilders ¡ª but with a twist. Their focus isn¡¯t Tokyo or Kyoto. Instead, they¡¯re building sustainable, energy-efficient homes right here in Tigard and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In her role, Ose works closely with the firm¡¯s lead architect, translating designs into CAD layouts that balance individual lot requirements, neighborhood design standards and homeowner preferences. The goal: energy-efficient homes that are both functional and beautiful.

¡°Yuriko is working diligently and learning every day,” said Ichijo USA Vice President Masaki Narita. “I am confident that she will become an excellent designer.”

Narita added that it is a challenging position, but one that speaks to her strengths ¡ª blending technical skill, artistic vision, and an understanding of how design serves people.

Finding the Right Fit at PCC

Ose found PCC¡¯s Interior Design Program online while researching U.S. colleges. The program stood out to her for its clear curriculum, sample schedules and defined career pathways.

¡°I appreciated the small class sizes, as they allowed for more meaningful interactions with both my classmates and professors,¡± she said. ¡°Although I¡¯d never been to Oregon before, the program felt like the right fit.¡±

Originally planning to enroll in 2020, Ose postponed her start due to the COVID-19 pandemic and arrived in Portland two years later. Since then, she has immersed herself fully in student life ¡ª balancing design studio classes with part-time work as a food server and Japanese language teacher, along with her internship.

Despite a full schedule, Ose has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and earned a place on PCC¡¯s President¡¯s List.?

¡°These smaller classes were beneficial because they allowed me to focus more on projects,¡± she said. ¡°Additionally, students typically take the same classes each term, which fosters strong connections and a sense of community.¡±?

Robin Rigby Fisher, department chair for interior design, said Ose has been a standout student from the beginning.

¡°She shares thoughtful ideas and brings a strong creative perspective,¡± Fisher said. ¡°Yuriko is always supportive of her classmates, offering encouragement and contributing to a collaborative atmosphere. Her design work is both original and deeply informed by her cultural background and personal experiences.¡±

Designing for Well-being

Her passion for interior design deepened during the pandemic, as the world collectively reconsidered the importance of home environments.

¡°Since childhood, I¡¯ve been fascinated by floor plans and enjoyed envisioning how to optimize limited spaces,¡± Ose said. ¡°But during the pandemic, I realized how much our environments affect our mental and physical well-being. That inspired me to pursue design professionally.¡±

At PCC, students in the Interior Design Program spend the first year developing foundational skills ¡ª from hand drafting to digital design tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp and Chief Architect. In the second year, the focus shifts to preparing for the industry, with portfolio development, internships and networking opportunities.

¡°Personally, this approach was valuable, as it allowed me to gain real-world experience and get ready to apply for jobs before graduation,¡± Ose said.

A Global Perspective, A Local Future

As a next-generation designer with a multicultural background, Ose embodies the kind of student the college hopes to attract ¡ª driven, creative and globally minded. She encourages others, especially international students, to consider PCC as a stepping stone to a fulfilling design career.

¡°The support I received from everyone played a significant role in helping me succeed in my courses,¡± she said. ¡°My career vision is now much clearer, and I have a stronger sense of the direction I want to pursue.¡±

With graduation quickly approaching, Ose is actively exploring interior design roles that will allow her to combine her technical training with her cross-cultural perspective. Her dream? To specialize in commercial interior spaces that support both functionality and well-being.

¡°Understanding that each individual has unique needs for design and comfort inspired me to pursue interior design professionally,¡± she said. ¡°I want to create environments that help people feel good ¡ª spaces that work beautifully and reflect the people who use them.¡±

For now, Ose is focused on finishing the term strong and walking across the graduation stage in June. But her journey is just beginning.

Wherever her career leads ¡ª in Japan, Oregon or beyond ¡ª Yuriko Ose is poised to make her indelible mark in the world of interior design.

For more details on the Interior Design Program, visit the program webpage.