The Post: Head of Design, Sliderobes
The Post Holder: Joanna Azevedo
HOW I BECAME AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
As a creative person Joanna Azevedo was naturally drawn to a career in interior design.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I started off my career during my industrial placement year at university when I was a Junior Designer for Deluxe Ltd. I then had various other designer roles with TRU Wood, Beaufort Interiors and Living Space Belfast. I also worked alongside Kris Turnbull for 10 years, helping build the team from just three people to over 35.
What was your favourite subject at school?
History of Art or Art and Design.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
Yes – I went to Ulster University where I graduated with a BA (hons) in Product, Furniture and Interior Design.
How did you get into your area of work?
I had the role as Junior Designer for Deluxe Ltd during my industrial placement year, where I had the opportunity to work with some amazing and talented designers. I have always had an artistic flare and I knew from early on that interior design was the path that I wanted to go down.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
As a child I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. However, I decided I wanted to work in interiors during school and that’s what led me to a design qualification.
Were there any essential qualifications or experience needed?
At Sliderobes we provide interiors for a variety of rooms; bedrooms, living rooms, home offices and walk-in dressing rooms. Therefore, as a design team we need to be able to think outside the box and have a lot of artistic vision. Completing a design degree or alternative qualification provides a sound knowledge of the basic design principles. Gaining experience however is key to succeeding in the industry.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
My route in was through my degree and the experience I gained through my industrial placement year. However, there are apprenticeship schemes with some companies, which present good opportunities to put your learnings into practice. Experience really is vital to becoming the best designer you can be.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
As Head of Design, my role requires a high level of effective communication due to the collaboration with the rest of the Sliderobes team, the tradesmen and of course the customer. Project management skills are also necessary as we work to tight deadlines.
What does a typical day entail?
I like to get to the showroom early in the morning before it gets busy. We have just reopened a newly refurbished flagship showroom on Boucher Road, which now showcases our products in a variety of room sets including a living room area and a home office. It’s been an amazing opportunity to design the showroom from scratch and I love spending time there talking to customers as they imagine what their rooms could look like. No two wardrobes have ever left the same, each customer is really different, as are their needs and requirements, so each day really is unique. Working in interior design is a lifestyle as you never switch off, you’re always looking at upcoming trends and making the best use of space.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
I love making interior dreams a reality for our customers, from conception right through to completion. I love being creative and really reimaging the existing space. Seeing the delight on customers’ faces when the job is complete is a great feeling also. Rooms don’t however just come together,
there is a lot of work behind the scenes with our Workshop so determining and managing the logistics of a full project can be an enjoyable challenge.
Why is what you do important?
Good interior design and use of space ensures functional yet attractive living areas. If done correctly, it can add significant value to a property. But where our clients really see the benefit is how much more they enjoy the room in question. Our storage solutions are tailor made, configured exactly how the customer wants creating a space for everything. This means the room is instantly clutter-free and becomes a much more enjoyable space for the customer, ultimately making them happier in their home.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
To be successful at interior design, you need to have a business head on creative shoulders.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
If I wasn’t working with the interior design sector, I would still be in a creative role such as a fashion designer or an art therapist.
If you could go back, what is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day of work?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, learn from them and move on. This isn’t sector specific and could apply to those working in a number of industries.
Describe your ideal day off
On days off, I like to spend time with my family. Working full-time with a young family means weekdays can be very busy. So it’s great to spend time together visiting new places or experiencing new things.
What is the key to a successful job search?
It’s important to remember who you know when looking for a job. Sometimes it comes down to knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time. Your personal network shouldn’t be overlooked as it can prove very useful when searching for a job.