This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the Sales Center of Huahao Yalong Place; nestled at the foot of a mountain, providing distant mountain views and beautiful surrounding landscapes. The design aims to revitalise the excellence of Chinese architecture and its traditional aesthetic values by achieving ultimate refinement to present the essence of simplicity and by doing so, create innovation. The design has a soulful outlook and is an elaborate embodiment of ancient architectural values with new design approaches. From magnificence to pristine, refined beauty, from grandeur and solemnity to brightness and sensation, the integration of these values has created a harmonious spatial ambience which is, in some ways, akin to the Forbidden City located in northern China.
Company: Guangzhou Basic Design Co
Project: Sales Center of Huahao Yalong Place
Project Location: Sanya, China
What was the client's brief?
Huahao Yalong Place covers a gross site area of around 730 Mu (equivalent to 120 acres). The project is consisted of Chinese courtyard villas, high-end apartment buildings, feature shopping arcade and five-star hotspring hotel.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The design aims to revitalise the excellent Chinese architectural culture and the traditional aesthetic values by achieving ultimate refinement to present the essence or achieving simplicity so as to create innovative elements.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
In addition to passing on the flame of civilisation, we hoped to create a design that can grant old traditions a young heroic spirit, introduce rhythms of the nature and ingenuity of the creator which stretches across thousands of miles, so that charms of the history and refinement of the art together produce magnificence and elegance of the space. Capturing and honouring the essence of this became a key challenge when producing the design concept for this project.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
An elegant space was created under a dignified roof. The luxury temperament of the furnishings cannot be concealed by their pristine appearance. Whereas classic romance emerges from the innermost recesses of their souls, reinforcing the noble and refined lifestyle. Within the brand-new palace-like building and penthouse, there is no vicissitudes. Instead, there is a harmony of the nature as well as breath-taking scenes. In the splendid art world, there is a fascinating colourful space. Seeing this vision come together with fortitude was one of the main highlights for me.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
Winning a SBID International Design Award is a distinguished recognition for designers. As one of the most prestigious events in the interior design industry, to enter the competition means to communicate with and be showcased to a magnitude of excellent interior designers from all over the world.
Questions answered by Zhide Liang, Chief Designer and Design Director of Guangzhou Basic Design Co
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a development project which guides the client through an inspiring and dynamic visual journey, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Guangzhou Basic Design Co | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a development project with a philosophical concept, designed by Medhat Nehad. The concept revolved around guiding the client through an inspiring visual journey, from the moment they park their car to when they sign the contract to buy the property. The hierarchy starts with walking through the open landscape to the semi-transparent glass cube. Next, the dynamically designed main reception hall is approached through a ceremonially-long corridor, before the focus of the project – the parabola-shaped room – is reached. The luxurious and modern touches of natural wood and glass enhances this unique project. Special lighting effects, for both the day and the night, strengthen it further. The architect took the challenge to negotiate the design concept with the client, convincing them to go through with these ideas in the Egyptian market.
Company: Archiform Consultants
Project: Almarasem Sales and Marketing Showroom
Project Location: Cairo, Egypt
The client was at that time a new developer, embarking on a new project developing his fifth complex compound on a 158-acre plot area in a premium location in new Cairo, Egypt. The developer name is Almarasem International Development. They introduced themselves to us as they needed to enter the market as a developer with a unique new sales centre on a plot area of 4600 m2. The project scope included the following:
From the first meeting, they requested that Archiform to design the development with the concept of creating an outstanding new identity for the sales centre. The sales centre will be used to sell the client's exclusive properties through and must therefore make an impact as their prime sales location in the market. The aim of the build will be to impress the visitors and clients with the luxurious standard of the interior and exterior spaces to reflect their superior reputation whilst capturing the new 'look' and 'experience' offered by the showrooms and offices.
As the lead designer on the project, I was inspired by organic shapes and geometrical forms. In particular, the way these forms can be intersected to create unique spaces which connect to each other in a fluid and inspiring way; offering a welcoming environment for the visitors and clients. The main idea was to create a long 'path' or journey for the visitor to feel like they are being invited through the building for a ceremonial welcoming. As the name of the company in Arabic language 'Almarasem' means to make a special process with a formal event to welcome the VIP visitors and clients through these prestigious spaces and exclusive surroundings.
We experience three main challenges throughout this project. Firstly, the project was ran under a very tight schedule as the client needed to finish the project in maximum of 100 days from design to build. The tight time lines had the team working day and night for more than 15 days continuously in order to produce the first conceptual drawings package; including photo realistic perspectives.
Secondly; as the designer I had to ensure I was effectively explaining the concept, parameters and parabolas geometric shapes to the team and the visualiser so it can be drawn correctly and illustrated clearly for the client, so they could better visualise our design ideas and approve it!
The third issue we faced, and arguably the toughest, was to convince the client that we can achieve these complicated shapes, be executed through the contractors and completed on within that very short time-frame we were set.
Being able to deliver on a project of this magnitude, whilst achieving a high quality finish; capturing the essence of the client's company as well as executing the design and build according to plan within the time-frame we were given. This has to be the most important highlight for me.
From the time I had developed the concept of this project and as a member of the respectable SBID, I was quite sure that this project could bring great inspiration to enrich the industry of Architecture, interior design and landscape design. Also it served as a great opportunity to share my thoughts with fellow designers from all around the world, so I can be more inspired and do more in the years to come. I was so proud to be finalist for this particular project, especially as I was feeling confident that this project would measure up well against the world of design.
Questions answered by Medhat M.Nehad, President and Founder of Archiform Consulants
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a sustainable and luxuriously designed African lodge for Wilderness Safaris' Premier Camp, click here to see more.
Archiform Consultants | SBID International Design Awards 2018
SBID got in touch with Katie Thomas, Design Director of KTM Design and SBID South West Regional Director to discover more about her career in interior design and how her journey evolved, from studying interior design at university to becoming a professional interior designer and even co-founding her own design practice, KTM Design.
Why Interior Design?
I had just started secondary school when I made the decision to focus on becoming an Interior Designer. It may sound a bit trivial, but my passion and interest for interior design was sparked by my childhood love of the life-simulation computer game ‘The Sims’! I’m sure a lot of young designers can relate. Creating virtual people, placing them in houses that I designed and directing their moods and satisfying their desires – I loved everything about it. This, coupled with watching TV shows like ‘Grand Designs’ (cliché but true) and my enjoyment of the creative subjects at school, I was set on becoming a designer of spaces. I remember talking to my teachers about my options, and learnt about the role of an Interior Designer. It sounded like my dream job – creative, logical, people-focused and having the chance to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Fast-forward 13 years and I am designing restaurants, nightclubs, offices, shopping centres and homes and running my own interior design practice in Bournemouth, KTM Design.
How did you make your dream job become a reality?
My dream job becoming a reality didn’t happen without hard work. It was just over three years ago that I graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB). I studied on the BA (hons) Interior Architecture and Design course and then decided to do my Masters in Spatial Design the following year. I was working part-time at a commercial interior design practice in Bristol whilst I was doing my MA, which meant that I was gaining invaluable industry experience whilst continuing my studies. Prior to this, I had completed several internships at interior design companies in Bath and London. It was a big priority of mine to gain as much work experience as possible whilst I was a student. I wanted to understand more about the industry and prepare myself as much as I could before making the complete transition into my professional career as an Interior Designer. My life-long mantra of ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ was very apt. Curiosity also played a big part in this. Being a curious person, I’ve always asked lots of questions and find myself continually searching for answers, and the only way I was going to find out what I was getting myself into once I’d finished university was by experiencing it first-hand. I was curious about the varying working environments in different design studios, the operations and structure of companies, the type of work the designers actually undertake, and of course the company culture and what sort of working environment I’d feel most suited to. These are all things you don’t learn at university, but play a crucial role in feeling prepared for industry. I am very grateful to all the companies that gave me the opportunity to gain some experience with them, even if it was just for a few days. When I was at university I learnt about the SBID and the support they give to students, so I became a student member and saw the president Vanessa Brady as a great role model. I’d never had a role model before. I wasn’t interested in the pop stars and ‘celebrities’ that my peers aspired to be like, so it brought me a great sense of happiness and positivity to finally have someone to look up to. A strong woman in the same industry, achieving so much and having a positive influence on so many.
What made you decide to start your own business?
As I was coming to the end of my MA at AUB, I had a couple of job offers from companies that I had previously interned with as a student (another good reason to do as many internships as you can – you never know what your new contacts could lead to, and make sure you don’t burn any bridges). I really wanted to start my own business, especially after having so much creative freedom on my MA, and when an opportunity arose to co-found a company, I thought I’d give it a shot and see how it goes. It was a tricky first few months of having no work, but after a lot of ‘putting myself out there’, we had our first office redesign enquiry come through Twitter! This led to our next, slightly bigger office redesign project, and for a short while it seemed like all we were going to do was offices, which was quite ironic as most of my work experience was in office design! At the same time, I was ‘networking’ like crazy, being consistently active on social media, and eventually finding openings to our first night club project, our first residential project, and then things started to take shape. Now, going into our fourth year of business and with a lovely, hardworking team by my side, I always make sure I take time to look back, reflect and feel proud of my progress and where I started. I think this is important, especially when it is very easy to get swept up in the everyday stresses of running a business. If I ever have self-doubt, I remember how tenacious and determined 12 year old Katie was to be a successful Interior Designer, and I’m not going to let her down! There is always another mountain to climb or hurdle to jump over, and that’s part of the fun of it.
What advice would you give to current interior design students?
Say YES. When I was leaving university and the opportunity came up to start my business, the Arts University Bournemouth (where I had studied), asked if I would teach some of their interior design evening courses as the previous tutor was retiring. Just the thought of this petrified me. I used to hate public speaking and instantly thought, ‘I’m not good enough to do that’ and ‘I don’t know enough to teach’! Once I’d got a grip of this initial hurricane of self-doubt, I realised what a great opportunity it was and how many more things it could lead to, as well as hopefully being quite fun! Three years on, I’m still teaching the same evening courses (and more) because I absolutely love it and have gone through a significant amount of personal growth and confidence building because of it. So, as Richard Branson says, ‘If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!'. I know the struggles of being at university and the fear of the unknown once university ends, so I am happy to listen to any questions and advise wherever I can. Remember to embrace the beauty of change.
If you're inspired by Katie's journey and want to make sure you get the essential work experience you need to launch your interior design career after university, make sure you take advantage of the opportunities SBID provide to afford students with internships at leading UK design practices.
The Get Me 2 the Top UK student design competition is now open for entries, awarding three winning students with a 3-month internship with the likes of 1.61 London and Crawford Partnership. Designed to help the younger generation of designers find potential employers, overcome the barrier between learning and earning, forge key relationships in the industry and gain valuable insight that will help to kick-start their creative careers.
Click here to find out more
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a sustainable and luxuriously designed African lodge for Wilderness Safaris' Premier Camp, Mombo. The spacious tent-like lodges afford sweeping views over a floodplain teeming with wildlife, so curating an authentic design scheme that combined traditional elements with modern elegance was essential to truly embrace the essence of Mombo. Deconstructed furniture in classic styles, antique brass finishing, vintage leathers, copper lighting combined with marble and oak floors were all used. A tonal colour palette throughout reiterates the longevity of the interior design. A mix of mismatched – yet complementary – wooden furniture all works together to feature a collection of pieces sourced over the years, resulting in a personalised feel. Space was also a key factor in creating the new design, with each tented suite now comprising an expansive entrance, a sitting room with a bar unit, a separate bedroom and bathroom with a dressing area, indoor and outdoor showers and a bathtub that creates a sense of indulgence.
Company: Artichoke
Project: Mombo
Project Location: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Wilderness Safaris wanted the lodge to have longevity and to rebuild a camp in such a way to maintain the Mombo traditions and history stretching back nearly 30 years, yet rebuilding to the highest and most innovative standards. The client's brief was to create an environment within the camp where nothing of the stylish, traditional appeal is lost as this Lodge became the flagship of the Premier Facilities of this camp. It was important to continue to offer repeat guests a level of uniqueness to which they had become accustom, but at the same time introduce features that brings the Lodge up to date.
The history of this prestigious Lodge was a great source of inspiration where an existing blueprint called for the revival of the prestigious structure. This enabled me to make my mark on this iconic camp whilst remaining sympathetic to the essence and nature of the surrounding areas.
The location of the camp caused difficulties particularly relating to the logistics of transporting solid marble bathroom vanities on rudimentary roads through Africa, so this become a significant hurdle we had to overcome. Delivering furnishing items is always a challenge in the Delta. In the re-appointment of Mombo, there were many natural geographic obstacles which arose! The curved structure of this Lodge was also a project element which presented some interesting challenges.
Simply just to have had the opportunity to complete a historian rebuild of not only one of the oldest lodges in Botswana, but also one of the most iconic facilities constructed in the African Wilderness. Working on the client's flagship property was a privilege.
It is well known that participation in the prestigious SBID Award programme is a privilege as one’s team is considered to be amongst the finest on the planet.
Questions answered by Caline Williams-Wynn owner of Artichoke
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a bold and striking pavilion designed to mark the launch of a make-up collection by II Makiage, click here to see more.
SBID International Design Awards 2018
As momentum in the design industry builds, March is set to kick off with some of the most prestigious and globally-anticipated design trade shows and events for 2019; attended by all walks of industry professionals from Architects, specifiers and designers to buyers, property developers and retailers - we look toward Shanghai, Singapore and London to set the standard of design for the year ahead.
5th - 7th March
Futurebuild 2019 - London, United Kingdom
Futurebuild 2019 brings together opinion-shapers, decision-makers and product innovators under a common purpose to explore the latest technologies and approaches, and debate the biggest issues facing the built environment. Whether you’re an architect, designer, consultant, energy or sustainable manager, Futurebuild 2019 will provide you with insight, innovation and inspiration in a packed three day programme including an exhibition of future-focused brands, a conference, seminars, workshops, showcases and much more!
Win a 3 month internship with Get me 2 the Top UK 2019, now open for entries!
Three interior design students have the opportunity to win an internship at leading London design studios as SBID launches its latest student design contest. Design studios include 1.61 London, Crawford Partnerships and one more to come. Dr Vanessa Brady OBE comments: "The knowledge and insights that students receive during a three-month internship are immeasurable in terms of career and employment opportunities".
Find out more
6th - 9th March
Design Shanghai 2019 - Shanghai, China
Showcasing the best design brands and galleries from across the globe, Design Shanghai provides a unique and exciting platform to network and establish long-term business relations with Asia’s top architects, interior designers, property developers, retailers and private buyers. Design Shanghai will be returning to the stunning Shanghai Exhibition Centre from 6-9 March 2019, celebrating its 6th anniversary with exciting new content. Set across five remarkable design halls, Design Shanghai 2019 is set to be the biggest and best yet.
9th - 12th March
IFFS Singapore 2019 - Singapore
At Asia’s premier furniture sourcing platform and design-led exhibition, the IFFS International Furniture Fair, which will take place in the exhibition centre of Singapore, furniture of all kinds and for all rooms including office and garden furniture, lamps and decorative accessories are presented by well-known exhibitors. To enhance its industry-leading position as the region’s top furniture trade exhibition, IFFS remains committed to curate a multi-sensorial show experience that introduces technology, celebrates design and facilitates connections.
10th - 15th March
London Design Week 2019 - London, United Kingdom
For one week in March, London becomes the design capital of the world as interior designers, architects, taste makers and magpies from across the globe flock to the capital for London Design Week 2019. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or a style-seeker with a passion for ingenuity, you’ll love exploring the various booths and stands housed under the famous glass dome of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. London Design Week prides itself on showcasing collection launches from the best in stylish innovation, with products ranging from fabric and furniture, to carpet and kitchens.
12th March
The Psychology of Colour at LDW with Sophie Robinson and Martha Roberts - London, United Kingdom
Taking place during London Design Week at the Victoria + Albert Baths showroom, interior designer and co-host of The Great Indoors podcast, Sophie Robinson, alongside journalist, author and colourphile Martha Roberts of The Colour File will host a richly inspiring discussion on the use of colour in the home. Learn about the power of Colour Psychology and how it can transform the way a room feels, as well as looks.
Register now
25th - 29th March
Latin America and the Caribbean UK Roadshow - Multiple locations
The Latin America and the Caribbean UK Roadshow (LATAC Roadshow) is the ideal event for experienced UK exporters to gain an insight into business opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Department for International Trade (DIT) will bring together senior experts from Latin America and the Caribbean to update UK companies on the latest opportunities in these promising markets. The Latin America and Caribbean region is home to over 650 million people where growing economies are demanding ever-higher quality products and services. British companies have seen their business expand in the region in recent years, with the expectation that this growth to continue.
Register now or find out more
February has been packed with product news across the industry, specifically focusing on innovations in the realm of KBB (Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms). From the latest innovations launching in intelligent water management and SmartControl technology; new ranges of paints, units and exquisite marble materials for uplifting kitchen interiors; to new colourways of quirky dinosaur-themed wallpaper to ignite the imagination within children's bedroom designs. Browse what's new this month to give your KBB designs a competitive and design-led edge.
Mark Taylor Design launch MeThD
Mark Taylor Design has launched a new kitchen collection, MeThD, consisting of three beautiful custom kitchen ranges, all of which are available with a number of bespoke adaptations and in standard or special paint colours. MeThD combines the quality, beauty and aftercare of bespoke with the affordability, speed of production and ease of installation that befits a custom range. With MeThD, we are also leading the trend for movable island units.
Heritage Bathrooms test the trend by making a monochrome statement with the new Granley Suite
Monochrome styling is a timeless and versatile trend, and as 2019 hails the return of geometrics and bold matte black accents, Charlie Williams, interior designer at Heritage Bathrooms, uses the Granley Suite range to test the trend for creating a standout monochrome bathroom; from using statement tiles and matte black features, to adding subtle, warmer coloured accents to ensure a softer feel without comprising the sleek monochrome styling. The Granley Suite from Heritage Bathrooms is designed to provide the perfect backdrop for a bold monochrome bathroom.
Click to shop
PaperBoy launches new colours to match your dinosaur to your decor
Dinosaurs. But not as you know them. ‘D’ya-think-e-saurus’ was PaperBoy’s first wallpaper, lovingly sketched by as a gift to Jurassic-minded twins. For 9 years it’s been their best-selling design: what dinosaur nut doesn’t want to imagine the exhilaration of flying through the air with the pterodactyls or beating the T-Rex in a running race?
This March they're introducing three soft new hues to fit into even more design schemes. ‘Confetti’ – if only pink will do, this version will make the room blush; ‘Warm grey’ glows with subtle colour while still being a neutral option; and ‘China blue’ for a cooler tone, without the dullness. As in all their papers, the inks are non-toxic, sustainable, made in England and lovingly hand-crafted in Accrington.
GROHE is set to shape the future of water with record number of innovations at ISH 2019
GROHE will showcase a record number of innovations at ISH 2019, the world's leading trade fair for the responsible use of water and energy in buildings. For the first time, GROHE will position itself as a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions, kitchen systems and intelligent water management. The brand will reinforce its philosophy; Water. Intelligence. Enjoyment by bringing the element of water to the forefront of its new innovations.
The GROHE Blue water system provides filtered and chilled water that is either sparkling, semi-sparkling or still, while GROHE Red delivers kettle hot water directly from the tap. The SmartControl technology, which has already been successfully launched in the bathroom, will also make its way into the kitchen...
New for 2019: Introducing Empira White by Caesarstone
For a thousand years marble has been appreciated and desired as one of nature’s most luxurious stones, immediately adding grandeur and glamour wherever it is used. As a material, it is timeless. Today marble is as desirable as ever, albeit with a somewhat more relaxed, softer and more organic appeal; a chance to bring nature into urban interiors, a connection to the earth around us and a natural contrast to other man-made materials. Of all marbles, Calacatta is perhaps the best known and Empira White is Caesarstone’s newest interpretation of this most famous material.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the elegance, sophistication and simplicity of a family residence. The house is filled with colours and collectables from all over the world and paintings from the owner’s personal collection. Through the process of decorating, the designer created a truly individual style. Complex but unique solutions create a truly luxurious interior, while classical and modern features combine effortlessly and even the smallest details are brought to perfection. The interior style is largely contemporary and classic, but has an element of flexibility and fluidity. For example, the furniture and materials used are complemented by uplifting textiles from Hermès. These days it’s not enough to live in a beautiful space, a home needs to be imbued with meaning, and the completion of this residence is a vivid confirmation that perfect interior design must be based on thinking laterally and openly.
Company: Bolshakova Interiors
Project: Sunny Valley Residence
Project Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Individual style is emphasised in decorating the house - the result of client's active participation. On this project we worked a lot with the client in the studio, at the facility and very actively shared information as the priority was to capture the clients personal style and incorporate their treasured belongings throughout the interior design scheme.
Today, it’s not enough just to live in beautiful walls! It is important to fill it with your own meaning, and this house is a bright confirmation. An elegant and refined house for a family with a child, where every detail matters. In the afternoon, the ceremonial living room is flooded with sunlight, the lounge area near the large window is allocated for family meetings. Here every photo, picture or piece of art from the clients personal collection has found its ideal place within the house.
We had to change the configuration of the house and forge a functional zoning of the premises. Thanks to this solution, our team was able to maximise the use of space throughout the property and make it comfortable.
A very interesting task was the installation and mounting of a chandelier weighing 250 kilogram - calculations were made and unique mounts were developed. When this chandelier was finally and successfully hung and lit, it really was a memorable highlight for our team!
For us, participation in the competition is a great opportunity to show Ukrainian design to the world. Our goal is to project and implement the best interiors of private and commercial facilities for customers from Ukraine and other countries.
Questions answered by Natalya Bolshakova, Olga Drachuk and Peter Gerez of Bolshakova Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a modern town apartment which showcases the inspiring use of colour, pattern and style, click here to see more.
Bolshakova Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a stylish town apartment which showcases how Bhavin Taylor Design turned a white box into a comfortable home that is packed with colour, pattern and style. Each space has its own design theme but still flows from room to room, turning a characterless apartment to one that is bursting with personality. With the client open to the design direction and asked for a ‘lived in’, full of life feel, the designer aimed to inject life into the space. In the open plan living space, the client wanted to keep an existing rug, which inspired the designer to select a bold patterned wallpaper that instantly changed the appearance of the space.
Company: Bhavin Taylor Design
Project: Wandsworth Town Apartment
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
The client was quite open when it came to his brief, however his main requirement was that I inject a shed load of personality into his modern new build apartment so that it would have that full of life / lived in feel that he had seen from my previous projects.
When a client gives you such an open brief it allows you to let your imagination run wild, however you do need to have a starting point. Here it was the mustard and charcoal colour scheme of the client's existing rug. Knowing that the apartment benefited from lots of natural light I could really run with this colour scheme and introduce bold patterns and solid blocks of colour to create that lived in feel. It would have been easy to continue this colour scheme throughout the apartment, however I wanted each space to have its own identity so the hallway wallpaper subtly picks up on the mustard tones and introduces the blue tones that follow through to the bedrooms.
As I was going with quite a bold design here I thought that there was going to be a lot of persuading to get the client to agree, however I was pretty lucky as I had gained his trust pretty early on and was allowed to roll with the creative madness that was inside my head, which as we all know is pretty rare! Just wish all projects went like this...
I think the biggest highlight was that this project allowed me to showcase my true design style of "Love Colour. Embrace Pattern" to add the warmth and personality that the client was after in his home.
I am now in my fifth year of running my business and thought that it would be a good time to see whether it would be recognised by an International Design association. In full honesty I did not think that anything would come from it but to my surprise I was selected as a finalist, which made all the highs and lows of the past years worth it.
Questions answered by Bhavin Taylor, Founder of Bhavin Taylor Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the first ever flagship store for British womenswear label The Fold, click here to see more.
Bhavin Taylor Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
There is no denying that building a solid portfolio of credible work experience whilst studying, can give your CV the legs it needs to sing and dance in front of potential employers. Aside from that all-important competitive edge, there are a host of other benefits which you should bear in mind when you consider undertaking an internship.
We spoke with Alexander Christou, property developer and Director of luxury interior design studio 1.61 London. A company that regularly provides internship placements, and is also one of our inspiring design practices who will be offering a 3-month internship to the residential category winner of Get me 2 the Top UK 2019.
He shares valuable insight about his experience with interns at 1.61 London, what he looks for in an intern and how he would advise students to make the most of their internships, leaving employers with a lasting impression.
Starting out his own career by interning across numerous fields, from insurance to property development, Alex is dedicated to following the same philosophy with 1.61 London. In fact, he admits that a large proportion of the staff at 1.61 London originally started out as interns! Being a firm believer that interning is an effective way of ‘trialling’ potential employees, it helps him to gauge how well they work in the office environment, how they interact with the rest of the team and if he can envisage a future for them at 1.61.
Alex summarises some of the key characteristics he looks out for…
Tailoring your CV
Many employers like myself receive a heavy influx of generic CV’s with the same impersonal content, layout structure, list of relevant skills, educational accomplishments – and worse, spelling errors. This means that it’s more important than ever to take a personalised approach. Showing drive and enthusiasm for that specific company when applying for the role can demonstrate to the employer or hiring manager that you are likely to show that same level of initiative in practice. They want to know WHY you want to work for them, and HOW you can add value.
Spending that extra hour to tailor your CV, research the company, or think of an intuitive way to reach them, could go a long way in speaking to the employer on a more personal level. In fact, I have previously hired someone at 1.61 London based on a personal, hand-written letter I had been sent; something as simple as this, to me showed genuine hunger and enthusiasm to work for me and my company.
Standing out from the crowd
It’s not just CV’s that have trouble standing out. It’s even more difficult now, in this day and age, to truly shine whether that be on paper or in person. However, I would urge you to remember that although there may be other students with the same (or better) grades – you can’t fake passion.
It’s important to show that you have a great passion for the industry or field you wish to work in, and there are lots of ways to do so – if you look for them. Whether creating something unique on social media or blogging platforms to display your passion, building relationships by meeting as many people in the industry as you can, or even hosting your own podcast – figure out how to distinguish yourself from everyone else, and use your passion to drive you forward and showcase this.
Know what you want to get from it and don’t be afraid to ask
Make sure you understand who you’re working with and get to know the working environment. Every workplace is different, so when you have questions to ask you should not be afraid – but you should also pick the right moments.
If you really want to learn or understand things, create a list of questions or certain aspects you want to explore during your internship and try to set a meeting with your superior at an appropriate time to discuss those – if it’s done in a professional and constructive way, there will usually be a positive response.
Showing a positive attitude can go a long way
It’s all about attitude. Being at the beginning of your career, you won’t know a great deal about the industry, so it’s important to show a willingness to learn, get involved and interact with the people around you.
You simply get the most out of an internship when you put the effort into it! Sitting around with nothing to do, or not showing any interest or engagement with your allocated tasks will never reap positive rewards. Interns may not always get the most ‘glamorous’ of jobs, but there are always tasks that need doing in a busy office. So get stuck in; make yourself useful, take the initiative, show enthusiasm to prove your worth and add value within your role – in most cases, it will not go unnoticed because essentially, every employer is looking for someone with a real desire to learn.
Key points to remember
The key is to really understand the process; you must strike a clever balance between being patient with it and also making it clear what you’re there to learn. Showing a good attitude, using your initiative, and going the extra mile with even the simplest of tasks will lead to bigger things. If you do all of the above and know what you want to get out of the internship from the outset, it will more than likely be reciprocated by the staff and your bosses, resulting in a mutually rewarding process for both the intern and the employer.
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Interior designers don’t usually directly specify the technology installation in the home, mainly because it’s moving too fast to learn and advise on the right product. Designers tend to outsource this role to an Audio-Video specialist.
The most dominant piece of furniture in the main room of most homes used to be the television. The room was often designed around this now almost redundant item. The furniture circled facing this big black box demonstrating the dominance television held over our recreation time. Well in case you haven't noticed, it’s changing faster now than you can blink.
TV screens can be beautifully disguised as an old master, a mirror or even made into a fully blown floor to ceiling media wall. The fact is that most young people stream programmes to watch and channels to subscribe too whilst family viewing is quickly making Netflix - a download app or streaming channel by subscription the preferred viewing method. You can continue watching through your iPad on a plane or on the tube etc. These personalised changes have impacted on the focal point of the family home's main reception area.
Just think about bookshelves and how they have become less dominant due to computers, kindles and a host of other mobile electronic devices, all of which remove the need for paper storage and bookshelf space. In fact the Radio, TV, bookshelf and formal dining room, central heating radiators and fireplaces have all but disappeared in recent years in exchange of a technical unobtrusive out of view and personalised choice. This creates more free space in the home.
Possibly one of the other biggest changes of home design considerations is the cost of energy. Saving on energy consumption through clever design alters the way our homes are built and look. Self generating energy-efficient homes in the next decade will increasingly be built so that energy is generated from the environment (sun and wind etc.) locally stored and shared in large banks of street terraces. Whilst the home is unoccupied it will automatically lower or shut down unnecessary levels of power such as a fridge that won’t be opened as well as basics such as heating, lighting and stand-by mode on remote electrical items. Designers are not only concentrating on colour, space design, aesthetics and overall emotive impression when creating a home interiors scheme, they are also incorporating the tech available in the future at a pace faster than we have ever seen before. The purpose is always ‘saving’ time, money, space, energy etc. The antithesis of the impression that most home owners have of a qualified accredited interior designer.
Written by Dr Vanessa Brady OBE.
Award-winning Interior Designer, CEO & Founder of the Society of British and International Design
(Image by Icon Connect: www.iconconnect.com)
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