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My work and my designs are centered around purpose, with intentions of real and practical change, and deep consideration for  user experience. My mindset for creating focuses on more than just aesthetics, to holistically approach the lived experience.

 

This humanistic perspective allows for a greater connection to projects and clients, and a curiosity that expands my knowledge of the field and deepens my understanding of the people and stories that surround me. Though my formal pursuit of Interior Architecture started later in life, my design endeavors are rooted in my passions and shaped by mentors that have been life-long.

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My career trajectory has been non-linear and diverse, but with an emphasis on impact and human connection. From research coordination to bike educator to barista, I find great satisfaction in problem solving and making systems efficient, while instilling creativity and empathy into the process wherever possible. 

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Unapologetically engaged. Grounded in empathy. Solutions driven. Eternally inquisitive. 

Education

Awards

  • 2023-Dec 2026 — UW Madison, Interior Architecture BS with certificates in Architecture and International Studies

  • Aug 2019 — UW Madison, German Language BA

  • 2006-2011 — UW Madison, World Languages Education for German 

  • 2023-2026 — Dean's List, School of Human Ecology

  • 2026 — Nancy Chellevoid Great People Scholarship

  • 2025 — Jeanne Bowie Fritschle Snodgrass Great People Scholarship

  • 2024 — Dorothy Earleywine Sullivan Scholarship

Exhibitions

Membership

  • 2026 — "From Beginning to End and Back Again" Art Exhibit, Madison, WI

  • Spring 2021,  Fall 2021, Fall 2022 — Corpus Collosum: Ebling Library's Journal of the Arts

  • 2018 — "...and On, Wisconsin!"— Bucky on Parade, Madison, WI

  • 2025-Present — IIDA Student Member

  • 2026-Present — ASID Student Member

  • 2024-Present — Interior Design Student Org Member

  • 2025-2026 — UW Deliberation Dinners

  • 2025-2026 — School of Human Ecology Dean's Student Board of Advisors

References

  • Monika Thadhani

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Teaching Professor, Design Studies

Instructor for 5 of my Design Studies courses mthadhani@wisc.edu

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  • Mark Claiborne

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Digital Fabrication Laboratory Manager Supervisor for Laboratory Assistant position mark.claiborne@wisc.edu​

  • Stacy Wieme

Atmosphere Commercial 

Design Manager

stacy.wieme@atmosphereci.com

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  • Mengni Zhang

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Assistant Professor, Design Studies Instructor for 3 of my Design Studies courses mzhang574@wisc.edu

Contact Me

www.linkedin/in/jill-ghilardi

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jillghilardi@gmail.com

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