Graduating in 2003 from Central St Martin’s after studying Art & Design for four years, my final dissertation investigated the use of words as a medium in art, with particular focus on female artists such as Tracey Emin and Barbara Kruger. This linguistic fascination came from a high school teacher once telling me that as an artist I should be ‘drawing not writing’, compelling me to crusade for the written word to be appreciated equally as an art form. My final project took personal written accounts of depression into a graphic campaign for raising awareness about mental illness, something that I feel passionately about.
Leaving Art College, I started off my career in the world of fashion. Working for a well-known global management agency that represents some of the biggest names in hairdressing, make-up, styling and photography I took control of the artist’s creative archives and portfolio construction. Noticing the need for digital progression I developed the company’s first digital archives and helped launch their first website showcasing the artist’s talent.
Alongside my work in fashion I took on numerous art & design commissions, focusing specifically on bespoke greeting cards and invitations with a talented friend. In 2004 I started to investigate my fascination for spatial design as I was asked to offer advice and prepare floor plans on some internal alterations in a refurbishment project in South London. This partnership continued over the next six years, working on over eight properties, ranging from simple refurbishments to total redesigns and rebuilds of various residential properties in South London.
In 2006 I said goodbye to the fashion world and stepped into a completely different industry of commercial property investment. Working for an entrepreneur, I was immersed in the world of auctions, investment portfolios, developments and asset management whilst the UK’s markets were peaking. With businesses in various countries my learning curve was steep and I was provided many an opportunity to develop a range of skills through various worldwide projects. My experience from this position and my years of property refurbishment led to me being proudly offered a place on the judging panel of the Evening Standard’s New Homes Award in 2010.
Never one to stop learning I chose to develop my earlier interest in words and language by training as an NLP Practitioner in 2008. Taking these lifelong skills with me into my career and personal life I managed to open up a revised curiosity about the written word and language in general, urging me to continue studying. I was offered the opportunity to teach interior design workshops in 2009, which has let me experience ‘study’ from a totally different angle.
Linking all my past experience together, including the influences from both the fashion and property worlds, I was offered a place on an Interior Design MA at The University of Westminster in 2010. Taking the plunge at the same time to start up a freelance business, I once again became a student. Graduating from the master’s course with a distinction in 2011 I feel that it has strongly influenced my design process, giving me a clearer vision and understanding of my own approach to spatial design. My dissertation stemmed from an interest in how our senses interact with interior spaces. Focusing on the urban interiors of pedestrian underpasses I studied the impact and influence of the subconscious and senses to our navigation of these spaces.
When I’m not designing or taking photos of inspirational interiors you will probably find me jumping out of a plane, drooling over a passing motorbike, watching a newly discovered animation, or attending a charity event. I love to be inspired by the weird and wonderful and, living in London, enjoy discovering and exploring all the new creative pop ups that it can offer. I do also sleep… but like to earn it!
