Honoree Profile

Brittany Brophy

Wight & Company

Title: Project Designer
Tenure at Firm: 11 Year
Nominating Principal: Lisa Schmidt, Principal/ Interior Architecture
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Master of Architecture

Inspired By:

I’m inspired by connecting with people and understanding how they experience interior spaces on a daily basis. Design, to me, is about translating those lived experiences into environments that feel intuitive. I’m motivated by the challenge of balancing aesthetics with performance—how light, materiality, scale, and circulation shape the way a space is used and felt. By listening closely to users and clients, I aim to create interiors that not only support their needs but also elevate their experience through thoughtful, purposeful design decisions.

Keys to a Successful Project:

For me, a successful project really starts with defining long-term goals. I always try to understand the bigger picture—where the organization wants to be in five years, ten years, not just what they need right now. I want the spaces we design to enhance their experience today but also be flexible enough to evolve as their needs change. I also think having the right team makes all the difference. When you’re working with engineers and a construction team who truly understand the vision and are invested in making it successful, everything runs more smoothly. It becomes less about just completing a project and more about collectively achieving something meaningful. At the end of the day, it’s about clear goals, flexibility, and collaboration

Which experiences have most influenced how you approach design?

My education gave me a strong conceptual foundation — learning to think critically about how people experience space and how design can tell a story. Studying architecture at IIT really prepared me for the rigor and intensity of a fast-paced design environment. Pushing through tough critiques and clearly defining ideas, while staying open to refinement, shaped how I approach challenges today.

Professionally, I’ve been most influenced by real-world collaboration and constraints. Working in complex environments — like new construction office building in San Juan, Puerto Rico, or designing spaces that support both human use and animal recovery at a wildlife conservation facility — shifted my perspective. Those experiences taught me that design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that are flexible, purposeful, and built to last.

“I am pleased to nominate Brittany Brophy for Profiles in Design based on her outstanding contributions as a project designer on numerous corporate interiors projects. Brittany consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership through her commitment to client satisfaction and her ability to deliver creative, innovative solutions. Her passion for collaboration extends beyond the client relationship to include vendors, contractors, and consultants, ensuring the best design-led outcomes. Brittany is a dependable teammate who approaches every task with a positive outlook, making her an invaluable asset to our team and to the success of our projects.”

Lisa Schmidt
Principal, Interior Architecture

Favorite Haworth Collection Piece & Why:

Resonate Lounge Chair and Sofa is a favorite for its effortless versatility and sculptural presence. The metal frame paired with a wood back and fabric upholstery strikes the right balance—warm, modern, and refined. It feels strong but approachable, it adds character without overpowering the space.

Your current favorite color (RGB, CMYK, or HEX#):

I live for Chicago Gray—soft and neutral, like Agreeable Gray. It’s a warm-leaning, livable grey that sits quietly in the background and lets light, material, and texture do the work. Approx. RGB: 209, 211, 206