The Joy Of Being an Interior Designer
I'll be exploring the joy of designing and building homes, focusing on the core components that keep us (the professionals) passionate in roles like project management and interior design. Currently, my co-founder and I are more involved in running the business than managing projects directly. While I enjoy this, I often find myself missing the hands-on aspects of being out in the field.
The work of an interior designer can be an emotional rollercoaster. Sometimes, we struggle with feeling creatively inadequate or overwhelmed by the pace and volume of our tasks. Rejections from clients can be particularly disheartening, leaving us feeling defeated, sometimes even afraid to approach the next project.
The daily grind can become monotonous, and interpersonal issues within the project team can add to the stress. These challenges sometimes cloud the joy that our vocation usually brings.
Back in the day, I used to perform BOTH roles of interior designer and project manager. I found it hard to focus and specialise, not giving my very best to my clients through the conflict of interest. Today, BuildBuilt’s at a better place with focused roles and a collective objective- serving and impacting our clients through awesome interior design, and meticulous project management.
During tough times, I often wish I could pull out an article like this one—a reminder of why I love my job so deeply and what originally brought me joy in this profession!
The Joy of the Craft
Having a skill that is useful gives me a profound sense of purpose. Whether as a project manager or an interior designer, the joy of the craft comes from knowing I possess a valuable ability that can make a difference to others.
Transformation of Space
The process of transforming a space is exhilarating. An old, tired interior is like a (juicy) blank canvas to me. Knowing that in a few months it will transform into a lively home for a family of five, filled with light and activity, is incredibly rewarding. I remember coming to the site often to supervise work, inhaling the stale smell of dust and glue. A couple of months later, at the housewarming party, the transformation nearly moved me to tears. As I entered the home, I was greeted by the aroma of baked potatoes from the kitchen and the sound of children laughing as they ran around my feet. The sense of satisfaction was immense, a vivid testament to the impact of my work on people's lives.
Optimising Lives Through Design
Observing the excitement in my clients as they envision their new lives in these spaces is deeply fulfilling. Whether it's building a new kitchen for healthier meals or designing a music studio for creativity, I take pride in using my understanding of interior elements to optimize their environment to positively influence their daily emotions and behaviors.
Visual Communication
Articulating space through visual aids is a key part of my job. When I show clueless newlyweds mood boards and 3D renderings of their new home, their excitement is obvious. They erupt with ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’, picturing lively game nights with friends or cozy movie nights with family. It's rewarding to witness this transformation, seeing their new lives potentially unfold within these walls.
Solving Spatial Problems
In Singapore, despite the high price tags of homes, many homeowners overlook potential spatial issues before purchasing their new home. When clients present these spatial challenges, I relish the opportunity to offer innovative solutions that they hadn't considered. Hearing them say, "I never knew we could do this," is extremely satisfying.
Solo Creative Flow
I enjoy my solitary moments too, especially when immersed in the creative flow of designing a space or even selecting materials from a material library in studio. Spending hours under my headphones, in flow state, focusing intensely on a layout or a 3D design, brings a sense of satisfaction. It’s like cooking a great meal—the journey from nothing to something.. and the compliments from others on the final product are extremely rewarding.
The Tougher the Problem, the Tastier the Reward
As a project manager, receiving a challenging brief is thrilling. I love the process of dissecting problems and gradually uncovering viable solutions. The best part is presenting these solutions to clients and sharing their relief and excitement about what’s to come.
Engaging the Senses
Appreciating interiors and solving spatial problems requires engaging all five senses. I enjoy testing and challenging myself holistically. Though more tiring and stressful than my last office job, the success that follows after a completed interior project is mind-blowing-ly satisfying.
Documenting Success
I love looking back at ‘before’ pictures, and comparing them with the present. As I execute each project, I create a digital photo journal on my phone or desktop, compiling all documents and images in one place. The after-project shots are both functional and artistic. This not only serves as a professional portfolio, but a personal memory and a collection of happy trophies.
The Joy of the Grind
Aside from the craft itself, there is the grind. If cooking is a chef's craft, then washing the dishes or sharpening his knives is the grind. If pruning and planting are a gardener’s craft, then carrying sacks of soil is her grind. Interior design has many aspects of the grind that I have grown to love.
Digital Architect
Storyboarding is an essential skill as an interior design consultant. Creating presentation decks digitally is the way to go. Compiling digital versions of everything, including our presentation decks, and neatly filing them away onto organised systems is something I love to do. Opening up digital folders and seeing presentations, drawings and contracts tagged meticulously makes me feel like a digital artist/ninja.
Pride in Details
While we aim to save trees, I cannot help but feel a surge of pride when I print a set of clean and clear construction drawings. Observing each line weight, color, and technical details come together feels like watching an artwork come to life. Gathering these fresh set of drawings for a client presentation brings me much delight, anticipating my clients’ reactions to seeing their future home in an abstract form.
Exploring Spaces
To love interior design, you must relish the experience of being in diverse spaces. I enjoy the privilege of traveling to and exploring different areas in Singapore, each adding a layer of context and color to my design concepts. Also, to seek out different culinary experiences near the project site. YUM.
Variety in Routine
My weekly calendar is a mosaic of colorful codes—mornings indoors, afternoons outdoors, shopping the next day, attending a furniture launch, or meeting with clients about exciting new projects. This variety keeps my days vibrant and fulfilling.
Keeping Up with Trends
What keeps me on my toes and excited in this field is staying updated with the latest innovations, materials, and furniture designs. I find that new materials, applications and construction methods fuel my ability to be more creative and effective in my craft. The possibilities of designing and building are endless.
Project Site- a Mirror of My Mind
Cleanliness is next to godliness. To me, being organized at site is paramount as a project manager. Contrary to the typical image of dusty, chaotic project sites, I strive for a calm and clean work site. Properly designating space for raw materials and tools, and setting clear signage for site discipline and safety doesn’t just reflect the company’s values, but mine.
That On-Site Effect
Visiting the project site to see the incremental progress is where i derive unmatched satisfaction. While interior 3D renders and immersive VR experiences are great in studio, they pale in comparison to the tangible experience of stuff being built- similar to watching the World Cup Finals live versus on screen. You just got to be there.
High Risk, High Returns
The risks we take as interior designers are substantial, with high costs and potential for budget overruns. Thus, the process of selecting a material (say, a decorative tile) starting from a safe and small sample and seeing it implemented and multiplied across a large layout is incredibly satisfying, especially when a risky design proves successful.
The Gear
As a gearhead, I revel in assembling all my tools in one place. From tablets to laptops, apps to measuring devices, stationary to wearables, having the best equipment is crucial. I love and want it all, enhancing my comfort, efficiency and enjoyment in my work.
The Joy in Relationships
A significant motivation for me at work is the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships. Much like friends and family bring love into my life, forming lasting connections with clients and colleagues is something I greatly value and anticipate. The joy of being an interior designer can be diminished by encounters with unpleasant people, making the work much more challenging. However, the joy multiplies a hundredfold when I succeed in building genuine and positive relationships with both clients and colleagues.
Digging Deep with Clients
The nature of my job as an interior designer permits me to ask deep, personal questions to my clients. I ask questions about lifestyle, habits, work and relationships. These answers enable be to assemble solutions for better design. Through these questions, I form a close and trusting relationship with my clients. I also learn so much from their interesting lives and work!
Client Approval
One of the highlights of my work is receiving a nod of approval from clients who appreciate my designs and services. After a pitch, a positive decision to engage my services gives me a natural high. The ultimate affirmation of our relationship comes when they refer loved ones to me or offer positive testimonials after a job well done.
Recurring Clientele
It is an honor when clients return to ask for my help in building a new home to accommodate their expanding family needs, showing trust and satisfaction with my previous work.
Contribution During Crises
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to assist at a homeless shelter, designing spaces for multiple beds and infrastructure for those stranded in Singapore. My colleagues and I also serviced front-liners by helping them move their home projects quickly so that they could focus on the crisis. Engaging in pro-bono work to transform homes for low-income families also brought new meaning to the work I do.
There are many elements in my work as an interior designer that momentarily make me happy. Some of these, like external validation from others, are a happy, yet fleeting moment. However, I truly believe that there are core components within my vocation that are so purposeful, it brings my long-lasting contentment and joy. What are these components in your work that bring you joy?
If you’d like to explore building a space with us, or even becoming an interior designer or project manager, please do not hesitate to hit us up at hello@buildbuilt.co!