Christi Knapp is a beloved and indispensable instructor at the Heritage School of Interior Design in Denver, where she teaches SketchUp and AutoCAD with a blend of technical expertise, patience, and passion. Students consistently praise her approachable teaching style and deep knowledge of the software, as reflected in her standout evaluations each term:
“Christi is amazing and so easy to learn from! I loved learning SketchUp and am definitely impressed with what we were able to achieve in such a short period of time. It was a great experience!”
“Christi is an amazing teacher and was supportive in and outside of the classroom. She responded to questions immediately and was always available to troubleshoot with us before class.”
“One of the best instructors I’ve had at Heritage—she’s patient, knowledgeable, and clearly loves what she does. An excellent teacher!”
Christi’s journey into interior design education has been anything but linear. She earned a double B.A. in Geography and Environmental & Sustainability Studies in 2013 and spent several years traveling for short-term internships before taking on a full-time role as an environmental consultant. However, despite her efforts, she found herself unfulfilled—and increasingly intrigued by interior design.
Driven by this curiosity, Christi pivoted professionally, beginning with a CAD Certificate in 2018. This launched her into work as an Architectural Drafter while she pursued her A.A.S. in Interior Design from Arapahoe Community College, which she completed in 2022. During this time, she discovered her passion for teaching while working as a peer tutor in CAD, ultimately leading her to apply for an instructor role at HSID Denver.
Since Fall 2021, Christi has made a lasting impression on her students, many of whom credit her with making complex software tools feel accessible and even enjoyable. Though she initially intended to specialize in Sustainable Interior Design, her love of teaching opened new doors—and she now teaches full-time at two design schools.
Christi remains committed to staying current with ever-evolving technologies and the needs of today’s interior design industry. Her ability to connect with students, paired with her professional background and technical mastery, make her a vital part of the HSID Denver community. Heritage is incredibly fortunate & grateful to have Christi among our amazing team of instructors!