Prompt #3 – Exploring Communication

For this post, I interview the successful interior design Fiona Klerekoper, who I came to know better for the past year for being my boyfriend’s mother. Even though she was relatively close to me, I never knew all these professional aspects about her life, and it was very interesting to identify myself in what she said.

Question #1: What do you like more about being an Interior designer?

Answer #1: I love making the best use of a space.....particularly small or awkward spaces.  They are like puzzles to be solved.

I like being able to find solutions for clients so that their homes become more functional and comfortable. 

Sometimes things are bugging them and they can't quite put their finger on what is not working. I try to come in and put words to why something is not working for them. Often they say, "Exactly, that's it!"

Once we identify the challenges, we can find the solutions.

I want to give them information so they confident and independent and making her choices creating their environments.

I also want to help them to chief what they want the first time and avoid spending unnecessary money.

Questions #2: What were the difficulties you encountered when looking for a job?

Answer #2: A huge part of this job is selling yourself. I am not particularly good at that. When you do not have a portfolio of work, it is tougher to do this.

I had to spend a lot of time doing work for free. Taking internships with very talented people and picking their brains. I also need to find somebody you trusted me and gave me those first few jobs.

Once you break through that barrier, things become easier.

For me, the best way to sell myself is by being genuine and letting the client know I am their advocate and I am as excited about their project as they are.

Question #3: Do you think what you learned before your job prepared you enough for your job?

Answer #3: What I learned in classes was invaluable. All of the basics built a foundation that you definitely need. 

Working at a commercial design as an intern and residential design firm as an intern was even more useful. It was a requirement of my program. Nothing can beat that on the job training.

It is good to try variety of firms and specialties so you can find your niche.

Question #4: What didn’t you expect when actually being in the field’s job?

Answer $4: I did not expect how much of the job would sales and bookkeeping. 

You need to be generating leads, signing clients, sometimes managing projects and contractors/subcontractors, solving problems and fixing errors.....all at the same time.

Also you're working with so many personalities, being a conflict resolution manager!

Oh yes, sometimes you get to design stuff.

Some pictures of her works are:

I really appreciated her time to answer and the quality of her her answers. I didn't expect these answers and I'm sure I'm going to encounter about the same difficulties as her if I want to be as successful as her.