Interior Designer
"The Careers Service connected me with OS Designs, a London-based high-end interior design company for work experience. They liked me and invited me to work for them straight after I graduated from KLC."
What were you doing before KLC and why did you decide to study at the school?
I worked in Moscow in one of the world’s largest accounting firms and subsequently joined an international exhibition company designing exhibition stands - I always had a passion for interior design.
After Moscow I moved to Hong Kong and was impressed how Feng Shui is vital and a way of life. During my time there I became familiar with the basic principles of Feng Shui and refurbished my first apartment. It is then that I realised I must change my career and follow my heart and my passion – Interior Design!
When I moved to London, over 8 years ago, I already had some experience in refurbishing properties overseas but it was clear to me that it’s simply not enough to have a “good eye” for interiors and be passionate – it is a must to be trained and professional. Next I did my research and I quickly decided that KLC is the one and only school for me.
KLC has a team of professional teachers with years of experience in interior design and many successfully completed projects in their portfolios. I decided to apply for a Diploma in Interior Design – you literally learn everything from scratch: architectural programs to be able to plan and express your design, drawings, presentation skills, how to build your portfolio, you name it.
We also had so many amazing guest lecturers from our industry, who would come and share their skills with us. Not all the lessons would be in KLC studios, quite often we would go to different museums and galleries, or to well-known design studios to see their day-to-day work.
Can you identify some of the highlights and challenges of your time at KLC?
I remember my first interview when I applied to become a KLC student with Simon Dodsworth when he warned me how challenging it is to be a KLC Interior Design Diploma student and how intense the study is. I have experience in working in some of the world’s biggest international companies where the pressure is extremely high so I was not afraid to have another challenge in life.
However, only when I became a student and started my first project did I understand what Simon meant! It is non-stop hard work and KLC is also extremely serious about your attendance. You cannot be late or miss a class without a valid reason.
The whole course is extremely intense and you have a deadline for each project. There are also so many computer programs you have to learn at the same time. I can still picture how everyone is in their studios trying to finish their last bits and pieces before the deadline and our teacher Piers Prideaux would play dramatic music 5 minutes before the deadline! It was hectic but such fun, and such great excitement at the same time. All my class-mates were extremely helpful and I have made some life-long friends during my study in KLC.
How has your career evolved since graduating?
During the Easter break, while I was still a student, the Careers Service connected me with OS Designs, a London-based high-end interior design company for work experience. They liked me and invited me to work for them straight after I graduated from KLC. I had an incredible experience working for them and had the chance to be involved in lots of wonderful bespoke projects. This year I opened my own interior design company - Boucle Design.
