The most important thing learnt when studying interior design

We all studied and worked in certain environments, mastering our technical skills and knowledge, gaining more confidence and moving up the career ladder. Our minds are often getting stuck in the comfort zone of repeating and mastering the same skill to perfection, however, with a rear exception (for instance, mastering wheel-throwing pottery skill requires 10,000 hours of practice according to Japanese craftsmen), such practice can only provide you with a limited progress in today’s rapidly changing world.

The ability to swiftly adapt, innovate and solve complex problems is becoming increasingly vital. You might want to ask where is this holy grail and what shall you do to finally make this giant leap forward. The answer is that you need to embrace the creative way of thinking and discover what design mindset is about.

The creative thinking is all about opening your mind to scan horizontally for any possible solutions, curiously looking for out-of-the-box ideas, indirect connections. Design mindset is always based on empathy, prioritising client’s needs and developing the most efficient solution, which will relate to the vibe of a particular client.

This is the mind map of my graduation project at KLC School of Design (now part of West Dean). Initially, I struggled with this approach, it took me many attempts to find the best way for me to visualise the brief and unleash my creativity.

Connecting to your clients on emotional level, not being shy in asking questions, observing and listening with curiosity, challenging the status quo allows you to break free from traditional constrains, reframe the challenge, discover innovative ideas and hidden opportunities. Collaboration and teamwork also plays an important role in this process, where you can bounce the ideas off your colleagues, bringing together diverse perspectives and skillsets.

Whilst design thinking is going to help all of us to unlock our full potential and keep up with the technical progress, you are invited to explore the design process with us! Click on the button to check what we offer and arrange a free discovery call to find out more.