Before I started my work experience, I thought interior design was mainly about creating spaces for clients using mood boards and ideas. However, after completing my work experience, it has surprised me how much more an interior designer actually does. For example, creating product lists, adapting ideas to best suit the client, and so much more.
When I started my work experience, I was set the task of designing a living room for the "Wilsons". This was a made-up family (for my benefit) consisting of four people, with two young children and a dog. The brief explained that their style was Scandinavian with pops of colour, including blues, greens and mustard yellows. However, I also introduced colours such as coral and light pink because, after talking it through with Nicola, she explained that you don't always have to stick to the colours in the brief. Sometimes you can expand on the colour palette to enhance the space.
The family's budget was £10,000, which helped me think realistically and start building an inspiration board for their living space. As they were moving into a new home, I was able to picture where everything would go and how it would work together, which helped me develop my final design.
My favourite day of work experience was when we visited Lucas Furniture. This was because, while designing the living room for the Wilsons, I had to think about them rather than myself. It made me realise that choosing a sofa isn't just about how comfortable it is. You also have to think about the fabric, who will be using it, and how well it will suit the family's lifestyle. I also created more of a product list, looking at furniture and accessories for the space, while making sure the sofa measurements were right for the room. I found lots of different options, but in the end I chose one from the MySofa collection with a polyester fabric, as it would be the most practical choice for a family with young children and a dog.
One thing I found difficult was thinking about what the customer wanted rather than what I wanted. This is because every client has a different style, and creating something that suits their taste instead of your own can be challenging. It might not be exactly what you would choose, but your client may absolutely love it. Making sure I stayed focused on their needs helped me concentrate a lot more, and as the week went on it became much easier.
Overall, I would say that I've learned lots of new skills during my work experience. I've gained confidence and patience, and I've realised that I have a strong creative mind. This week has been amazing, and I'm so grateful that I chose interior design for my work experience. I would definitely do it again, and I hope I can start my journey towards becoming an interior designer one day in the future.
By Ella Gibbard