My journey to discovering a passion for interior design is quite unconventional compared to my university peers.
From a young age, I was fortunate to have access to an iPad, which sparked a love for video games. This led me to explore Sims Freeplay, a free-to-download mobile game where you could design and build homes. I found immense enjoyment in creating virtual spaces, developing my early interest in design. As my fascination grew, I expanded to games like Sims 4, which gave me a lot more freedom to establish my own personal style. This experience ultimately solidified my aspiration to pursue a career in the interior design industry.
My creative process entails a lot of patience and trusting the process. The beginning of projects has always been overwhelming for me, especially during unit launches where there's a large amount of information to take in. To manage this, I allow myself a break to engage in activities I enjoy outside university, like listening to music or going shopping. This step away helps me return to the brief with a fresh perspective, allowing me to break it down into manageable sections and fully understand what’s required for the project.
Once I enter the research phase (typically by Week Two of my project timeline), my motivation and excitement builds, as I begin to see the possibilities of the project. This momentum is crucial for me because if I'm not fully invested, I find it difficult to approach the work with the pride and passion it deserves. I approach each project as an opportunity to strengthen my portfolio, aiming to produce work that stands out. This mindset not only pushes me to deliver my best but also prepares me for future career opportunities after graduation.
My time at Arts University Bournemouth has been invaluable. I've had the privilege of participating in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities while also gaining a diverse range of skills, knowledge, and experience. These experiences have not only shaped me as a designer but have also prepared me to confidently step into the interior design industry post-graduation.
In April 2023, I was selected, alongside three other students, to work on a live project with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) – the research arm of the NHS. This was an incredible opportunity to refine my collaboration skills and experience the realities of working with a real client. At the time, I was in the final term of my first year, which made the prospect even more daunting, but I was eager to take on the challenge. The NIHR tasked us with designing the livery for their new research bus, with the goal of creating a visually striking and durable design that told a clear narrative while also establishing a strong connection to both NIHR and Wessex Health Partners.
Prior to this, I had completed a health and wellbeing-focused project as part of my course, titled Socially Conscious Design. In this project, I redesigned a building on Poole High Street into a health and wellbeing destination for the homeless population and the broader community. This experience opened my eyes to the pressing social issues in the area and deepened my understanding of societal and ethical responsibilities as a designer, further preparing me for projects like the one with the NIHR.
In April 2024, as part of my university studies, I completed an eight-week work experience placement at an interiors-related company, which was incredible. Following this placement, the company invited me to continue working with them on a freelance basis throughout the rest of the year. This ongoing collaboration has been invaluable, providing me with hands-on experience in real client projects.
During the summer, I also secured a part-time role with a local business in Farnham, where I contributed to graphic design projects, including designing this year’s festival shirt and creating illustrations for their social media outlets. As I have a background in Graphic Design from my A Levels, it has been rewarding to apply those skills both in my placement and my part-time job.
My future ambitions are centred on securing a full-time position within an interiors-related company, where I can continue to refine my skills and gain valuable industry experience. Ultimately, my goal is to open my own design practice, where I can foster a fulfilling career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
