Concurrents: Following in the Footsteps of Design
If your child or someone close to you wanted to follow in your career footsteps, how would you feel? Would you be excited about the personal connection and industry’s direction, or worried that the challenges you face may affect their happiness or success? I recently wrestled with my feelings on this and landed on excitement and eagerness when my niece, a high school senior from Indiana, asked to join me in Miami to job shadow my interior designer friends at the boutique design studio Errez Design.
When I walked my niece to the office on the first day, finish samples were strewn out on a big table and four designers were circled around it passionately debating marble colors for a Miami Design District client’s millwork. We jumped right into the debate (I picked marble tiles, and she picked marble slabs), and I knew immediately from this informal design charrette that she was in good hands.
A few hours later, I reconvened with the Errez team for a Brazilian steakhouse lunch to give them a taste of the fun perks of Aunt Maria’s job (foodie paradise!) and to introduce them to the new OFS NeoCon furniture products. The conversation was lighthearted, educational, and collaborative – just what a design lunch should be. I ended the lunch by asking two questions I thought would be helpful for my niece: What do you love most about interior design? What are your biggest job challenges?
As we went around the table hearing from co-founders Katie and Ruben Gutierrez and designers at all career levels, the passion for their work was palpable. Their answers ranged from design being experiential and tactile to design helping to create beautiful and functional environments for people. They shared their love of luxurious materials and experiences (two-hour steak lunches included), and the significance of crafting spaces that will be enjoyed for decades.
Next, I shared my appreciation for the people in our industry and the respect I’ve gained for architecture and design after practicing for nearly a decade before pivoting to the manufacturing side of the industry. Seeing the breadth of work and commitment to design excellence from our community is truly special to be part of. I jokingly call my work “FUN-iture” (not furniture) because of the amazing opportunities and people I interact with every day. I want my niece to understand that there are many skills and roles that make up our diverse design community.
I also shared insights from many dealer principals and BIFMA’s young leaders about the difficulty attracting young people to the manufacturing and furniture dealership side of the industry. While interior design is viewed as prestigious and creative, this perception doesn’t always extend to the manufacturing side of things. However, the right manufacturer or furniture dealership offers great flexibility, camaraderie, diversity of experience, work-life balance, and compensation. There is a path for every personality, skill set, and desire.
When it was time for each person to explain their biggest interior design challenges, many mentioned navigating various personalities and client deadline expectations. The downsides of design include expectations of perfection, tedious CAD & Revit work, the inability to mind-read, and navigating opposing opinions. Ruben Gutierrez likened the role of a designer to a therapist who has to delicately navigate stakeholder emotions and personalities to find the root of a problem and craft a solution. What a relatable analogy!
I appreciated my niece hearing the Errez designers’ “why” responses, because they showcased purpose, commitment, and passion for design despite the challenges. To wake up every day with a smile, battle deadlines, and find success, it takes people with a strong desire and dedication.
With the help of great friends and “FUN-iture”, it was easy to curate a positive experience of site visits, luncheons, charrettes and mood boards, but it was equally important to hear firsthand the challenges that designers face. On the car ride home, I gave my niece an earful of my experiences and critiques, and by week’s end, she was “95 percent sure” she wanted to be an interior designer. A proud aunt moment!
Watching my niece embrace interior design with enthusiasm and curiosity, I was reminded of the infinite potential in those who maintain a strong “why”. By continuing to blend artistry and human connection, transform spaces and lives, and maintain passionate camaraderie – all while having fun – we ensure that the future of interior design is in brilliant hands. Would your “why” inspire a young person to follow in your footsteps?
Maria VanDeman, NCIDQ, IIDA, is an accomplished workplace advisor at OFS, interior designer, published children’s book author and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. With a passion for helping people and designing for human needs, Maria strives to make a positive impact on the world through her work and mentorship. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mariavandeman
