Interior Designer
What were you doing before studying and why did you decide to study here?
I have worked in the City for over 20 years before studying at KLC School of Design. Although working in the City has been challenging as well as extremely rewarding, I found that the creative element was somewhat lacking. Having always been interested in interiors and spatial planning, I wanted to have a better foundation before potentially starting a new career. I chose KLC due to its great reputation and thought the course itinerary looked varied and covered all the bases.
How do you think studying at KLC School of Design prepared you for what you do now?
It was immensely helpful and the course gave me a really good base before starting out by myself. I felt more confident and better equipped to tackle all areas of the job, from the brief to the completion of a project. It also had practical elements and very interesting speakers from the industry.
Can you identify some of the highlights and challenges of your time with us?
Due to the varied programme, the course really helped me to understand my strengths and weaknesses. I found I was really interested in spatial planning and coming up with solutions for design challenges.
I found the project deadlines challenging, there were full all-nighters to get them submitted on time!
How has your career evolved since graduating?
I launched my studio right before COVID. We signed up 3 major projects and were actually able to complete them during lockdown as construction was one of the few industries allowed to operate. Quite a surreal experience but we learned a lot. Since then, we have worked on numerous residential projects in the Cotswolds, as well as London and Cambridgeshire.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on some smaller transformations in Fulham as well as several projects in the Cotswolds, which seems to snowball by word of mouth.
What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
Mastering all aspects of running my own company, from understanding VAT returns and various admin tasks to running projects from brief to completion. It has been a steep learning curve! My proudest moments have been press coverages of various projects – it is so rewarding to see your projects in print.
Do you have any tips for recent graduates?
A career in interior design is not creative all the time – there are VAT returns to battle with, schedules, data input etc. However, it is varied, and you will always learn something new, every day. I would always recommend doing a stint in a larger studio, as you will learn so much and it will set you up well.
Invest in imagery – good photos will attract new clients, and our industry is all about the visuals. And lastly, be true to yourself, your style, your creativity, its unique and that’s what a clients will hire you for.
