How I Attained My Current Position as Jr. Designer for a Great Interior Design Firm

I Am A Degreed Interior Designer

This Picture Makes me Laugh*

I was hired last summer to be a Jr. Designer for a local Interior Design Firm, Debra May Himes and Associates. I, along with my colleague, were chosen to work as a team on our Interior Design Projects. We are both degreed Interior Designers. I have an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Interior Design and a third year certificate in Commercial Design from Scottsdale Community College.

Internships to Gain Experience in a Difficult Market

Besides being degreed, we had to have prior experience in the field of Interior Design. I graduated from my program in December of 2009. I found it extremely difficult to find work in my field due to the real estate crash that severely affected the Phoenix area. I learned that it was going to take great persistence if I was going to be able to actually work in my field. I decided to work internships, free if necessary, and look for opportunities to learn what I needed to know. My dear husband supports my dreams, emotionally and physically, so I was able to continue.

Internship #1 High End Furnishings

I knew I wanted to work in high end design, and so I looked for opportunities to learn and gain experience. I did my first internship at a high end furniture store called Robb and Stucky during my last semester of school. I was so green. I had never been in an Interior Design firm, and I was pretty clueless at the beginning about what was going on. Over time I learned to navigate the store and the system.

We had a huge Interior Design team upstairs, with about 20 Interior Designers. It was highly competitive, and if the designers didn't meet their quotas, they were out. It was also hugely political, and in my prior life, I had not had to navigate politics in the workplace This internship was when I first became aware of what a tough business this would be. Many people would have left with very bitter feelings, but I  loved it despite the flaws and wanted to continue.  The creativity, the beautiful furnishings and the quirkiness and style of many of the people I met were incredibly stimulating, and I wanted more.

Internship #2 High End Trade Showroom

Next, I interned in a high end To-the-Trade showroom. Not everyone is aware that certain furniture and accessory companies work only with professionals such as designers and architects. I wanted to learn the behind-the scenes of that environment. How do they work with design professionals? How does pricing work? I absolutely loved this showroom. Today it is still as gorgeous as ever with beautiful home furnishings and accessories. And yes, some things are slightly quirky here, too. This is a privately owned business, and the owner, Sylvia has a great eye, constantly on the look out for unusual pieces that stand out. She has style and flair. She is a great grandma, and proudly admits it, but you would NEVER guess it by looking at her.

 I became more aware that many of the businesses who sell to design professionals are family run businesses. Many of them, especially those based in Italy, have been around for a long time, and take great pride and care in what they do. They are passionate about their trades and offer beautiful products that are often unique to what can be found in a retail setting.

Internship #3 Small Interior Design Firm

My third and last internship was with an established Interior Designer. Her business was going through growing pains, and overall my experience there was very difficult. She did not have time to mentor me most of the time, but I did get to see a couple of her projects. One was a really neat high end apartment for seasonal Canadian clients. (We get a lot of snowbirds from Canada) Mistakes were not acceptable, and it was a high stress environment. I did learn that I need to not work in that type of environment. But for a period of time I put on my big girl pants and did what I needed to do to navigate that experience.

Continuing My Development as a Designer

Between then and now I have done many design jobs on my own. I also did some of my own remodel projects, and had a lot of fun with them. I have also made mistakes that I will now not make on client projects. I have learned to work with licensed contractors vs. people who are just "experienced" and will say what I want to hear to get the job. I learned that some tile setters want to be in charge of designing the project, and in the future, it is best not to work with them anymore. I learned that everything should be drawn out ahead of time, a lesson I am still reminded of as I look everyday at  a funky area that I "designed'  for my washer and dryer, I learned (again) not to take the cheapest quote when refinishing furniture. (Another thing I am reminded of every day when I look at my dining table and chairs)

Grit and Determination

I am thankful that I have had the grit and determination to be where I am at today. I finally found the Interior Design firm I want to be a part of, where people are treated well, the attitude of the office is "low drama", people have a sense of humor, and the lead designer is generous in sharing her knowledge accumulated over many years of experience. We service middle to high end clients, and great customer service in an integral part of our culture.

 Now I just need more clients. And client generating is a whole challenge in itself...

* I was getting head shots done and my photographer was old school. She wanted me to hold fabric so I would look like an interior decorator. Plus the obvious cropping is funny.