As Get me 2 the Top 2019 reaches its deadline, students have until 5pm today (28 June) to submit their end-of-year projects in either Residential Design or Public Space Design to win an internship with leading London-based design practices, 1.61 London and Crawford Partnership. SBID caught up with Tacan Ibrahimoglu; previous Get me 2 the Top Winner 2018. The interior design student from the University of Central Lancashire completed her 3-month internship with 1.61 London in October last year, so we got in touch to find out what she learnt and how her internship experience has helped grow her career in interior design.
Dr Vanessa Brady OBE with Tacan receiving her certificate at the House of Lords, October 18
What did you learn from your internship with 1.61 London? I can honestly say that I learned and developed a lot in 3 months; mainly about the interior design business and the design industry throughout London and the rest of the world. Specifically, I developed my knowledge about materiality, suppliers, client relationships, architectural details, software tools, visualisation and design technologies, as well as how to find the best design solutions, ergonomically and aesthetically. I was involved in all stages of the design process within the busy design studio which taught me how important teamwork is when it comes managing a design business appropriately.
What was your favourite aspect from your time interning? I enjoyed each step of my involvement with the projects I worked on whilst interning with 1.61 London – from creating colour schemes, material boards, design concepts and zoning, to attending site visits. At each stage, attention to detail was key!
Did you face any challenges during this placement? Yes, I did face some challenges, but luckily, all the challenges reached a happy resolution. I didn’t know London very well when I first started the internship and beginning a new journey always presents new challenges – for me, all the challenges that arise are worth it because it’s my dream to become a successful and experienced creative designer.
Was there a particular project you enjoyed working on? I can say that my favourite project to work on during my placement was the Eaton Square Project which I was able to create 3D visualisations for. I admired the whole design of the property; the chosen furniture, the extension feature and the French-style garden, so it was a real pleasure for me to be involved in!
What advice would you give to other students about to undertake an internship? Interning is a perfect way to understand every aspect of a job and what the key points and responsibilities are; especially if the student is sure of the subject they have chosen to develop their expertise within – it’s a great way to gain further insight. Interning will lead you to the next step, giving you confidence about running or understanding a business, or even starting your own!
In my opinion, it’s useful to consider if the company matches your own concept and styles, as well as align with your own values as a designer. It’s also good to try and find out what kind of availability or level of training the designers within the company can offer you during the internship to see what kind of value you can get from it.
During your internship though, I think it’s good to try and focus your attention to think about which area of the design process you really want to be involved in; whether practical side or management – as this will help you to streamline your development within a specific area.
Tacan receiving her certificate at the House of Lords, October 2018
How has this work experience helped you on your career journey? Effectively! Starting a design career in London made me decide that I want to stay here. London is a city I feel happy and productive, that I can be myself. The freedom of expressing myself has always helped me during my journey; to become a better designer every day.
What are the next steps for you now? I will continue to design, create, develop further and work hard to reach successful and beneficial outcomes. I have recently decided to start specialising in quality furniture design alongside interior design. Having studied a Fine Art Foundation Degree, I have a massive interest in art and design. I always like to keep track of contemporary and historical art as much as I can! The art and design industry is like an ocean for me, which I have a deep passion for — it’s always evolving with lots of varieties and styles globally.
With this in mind, I am also working on curating art and design around the world – I’m a designer and an artist who also supports other designers and artists; I aim to always be very good at what I’m doing and evolve my career within this diverse industry.
I am extremely thankful to SBID for providing such fantastic opportunities for new designers!
Click here to enter Get me 2 the Top 2019
We spoke with Alan Crawford, Chair of RIBA North London Architects Group and Managing Director of London based architecture and interior design studio, Crawford Partnership; 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 public space category winner of Get me 2 the Top UK 2019. Alan shared his thoughts on what young design interns should be considering as they start their careers in a profession and industry that will look radically different in 10 years.
Crawford Partnership – Stonechat Mews
As Chair of RIBA North London Architects Group, Alan’s personal concerns over the future of academic education and practical training to address this changing future within architecture and other design professions, also forms part of his NLAG group ongoing discussions to ensure that students and their mentors fully appreciate and are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge base to deal with new technologies, automation and robotics that threaten to marginalise those without the necessary training.
Starting out his own career in architecture by spending 2 years working in several design and construction companies across the UK and gaining valuable practical experience in between his 5 years of academic studies, Alan considers internships as an effective way of introducing aspiring young designers to the increasingly complex world of design as a ‘business’.
There are many benefits in completing an internship, and as founder of Crawford Partnership, Alan has mentored countless architecture and interior design students who have worked at the firm on short 2 – 3 month internships or have spent a year working during their periods of practical training. Helping students gain invaluable experience at his office, transferable skills and confidence in the work environment; building a solid portfolio of credible work experience whilst studying. All of which can enhance a student’s CV and make it stand out in front of potential employers.
In today’s competitive global economy, an internship is an invaluable addition to any CV. There are however a host of factors which you should bear in mind when you consider undertaking an internship. Alan shares valuable insights on how he believes students can make the most of their internships to impress employers, summarising some of his thoughts on topical subjects that interns in the design world should aim to learn about in order to give them that competitive edge.
In the 21st century, the business of design across all areas is experiencing a profound evolution as new digital technology supersedes more traditional methods of working that have existed in design studios for decades. Students seeking internships today and progressing their career with interior design firms can no longer simply rely on CV’s that promote well-crafted hand drawing skills, some CAD drafting ability, and a basic knowledge of materials, fixtures and fittings.
Interns must now be familiar with the many new digital technologies that are being introduced in the workplace intended to enhance and replace some of the more traditional skills. Knowledge or experience of these new technologies will provide interns with an opportunity to stand out amongst employers who may not already have these skillsets ‘in-house’, and who are increasingly aware of the necessities of implementing them within their own businesses in order to be more competitive in the design world.
In only scratching the surface on where technological innovation is already advancing in the design professions, it’s clear that the impact of these new technologies in design also requires a new breed of designers to plan for the dramatically changing future of design, and this new breed of designers are the interns and students of today. These young designers will be multifaceted, able to juggle many skills at once, from programming of algorithmic code and data in production and analysis of design options, to injecting an intuitive understanding of spatial awareness to produce three dimensional designs further enhanced by augmented reality to sell their ideas.
This new breed of individual is already appearing today in the design world, and in concluding, Alan would recommend that in order to better appreciate and prepare for this changing future of design, that all young design interns and students should read Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice by Randy Deutsch to more fully understand what it means to be a designer in the 21st century.
With just under 2 weeks to go, find out how to enter now for your chance to win a 3-month internship with Crawford Partnership this Summer!
The deadline to enter this year’s Get me 2 the Top interior design student competition is Friday 28 June.
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
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.
Entries are now open for Get me 2 the Top 2019. For your chance to win a 3-month internship with 1.61 London this Summer, visit the website to find out how to apply.
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