Rink was nominated for the competition by a colleague who had participated in the previous year’s cohort. “I almost didn’t do it,” Rink said in an interview. “Public speaking is not my strength, but my friend said the experience was worth it. I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected.”

From Hospitality to High-End Residential

Rink’s firm, Design Cooperative, originally focused on hospitality interiors. However, the onset of the pandemic led the firm to explore high-end residential design, as clients began requesting work on their personal homes.

“Our work in hospitality led to homeowners asking us to take on private residential projects,” Said Rink. “We weren’t pursuing that market initially, but it grew quickly. With people spending more time at home, there was increased demand for quality and detail.”

A Process Rooted in Production Knowledge

Milestone’s program begins with an industry overview at the Coverings trade show, followed by an in-depth introduction to the manufacturing process at the company’s Tennessee production site. Designers are introduced to printing technology, carbon-neutral strategies, and ongoing research in materials development.

“I wanted to understand how the printing technology was evolving, especially since our tile would be released the following year,” Said Rink. “It was important to me that the collection felt current, even with a production timeline in place.”

The design presentations are made before a live audience of Milestone’s distributor network. Rink described the moment as intense but rewarding. “You’re standing in front of 70 people with a massive screen behind you, explaining your vision. It was nerve-wracking, but it was also one of the most exciting professional moments I’ve had.”

Untamed: A Design Narrative in Five Parts

Rink’s collection is based on the landscape and ecology of Cumberland Island, a protected area off the coast where Florida meets Georgia. The collection includes five distinct tile styles, each referencing textures and visuals found in the island’s terrain.

Drift is a wood-look tile that blends weathered boardwalk textures with driftwood patterns and live oak references. It features a mix of warm and cool tones, which allows it to pair with a range of interior finishes.

Wonder, the field tile, evokes the appearance of sand just after the tide retreats. It incorporates surface movement and light reflection, designed to maintain visual interest even in settings with minimal architectural lighting.

Flourish takes inspiration from native grasses and coastal vegetation. The tile is designed to install in multiple orientations and can be bookmatched for architectural impact. It is textured to avoid repetition when installed at scale.

Deco 1, a geometric design with organic qualities, was developed from an accidental printing variation that emphasized a snakeskin pattern. The production team recreated the effect manually, resulting in a unique visual not originally present in the digital design.

Deco 2 features a large tie-dye-style print, cut into individual tiles from a full-size image. It is approved for both wall and floor applications, allowing for flexibility in high-traffic or transitional zones such as lobbies and corridors.

All styles are floor-rated, which Rink emphasized as a key consideration. “We wanted each tile to be usable on both walls and floors. That dual application was important for designers specifying finishes in multi-use or transitional spaces.”

Technical Collaboration and Final Production

Rink worked with Milestone through three rounds of development. Initial samples were created directly from her design files. Later stages involved refining textures, adjusting printing techniques, and approving final proofs. “Some of the tiles I saw for the first time only when they were installed at Coverings,” she said. “The results exceeded expectations.”

Untamed is available in a range of finishes, including a sage tone Rink identified as a personal favorite. “It has a muted green quality that works in both warm and cool environments,” she said.

Industry Impact

Beyond the final product, Rink said the experience changed her outlook on material design and production. “This process has made me a better designer,” she said. “Even when I see a tile I wouldn’t specify, I now have a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into developing it.”

Milestone plans to continue the competition in future years, positioning it as a platform for emerging and mid-career designers to engage with tile production in a meaningful way.