IDIAMM

I see alot of posts looking for internships and placements. At present with everything going on, I know it must be incredibly hard trying to find that company that will take you on that does the type of projects at style of interiors you are desperate to do. The important point to make here is to gain experience….regardless of who with or how. I do not know the length of Internship your college is requesting however if it was me, this would be my approach:

1. look local for a placement as keeps yr over heads low and their fees (if paid) down. Allows easier access to employer too.
2. look at small / sole traders rather than big companies. You may be (I was!) exposed to / work on far more than when at a big company.
3. Think outside the box. If you can’t get work at an interior design company, try a design & build company or main contractor (office/residential). Most have in-house design teams & you get exposed to site experience, detailing, project management, etc.
4. Add value. See point 2. Bring your visual & photoshop skills as a bargaining chip!! Sole traders may not have time/skills but you move their pitches up to the next level!!
5. Sell sell sell! You are a commodity so make yr placement pitch so full of point 4, they would be foolish to turn you down!

I.E. if you are aiming at becoming an FF&E designer and having no joy with design firms, look at the suppliers at chelsea harbour for a short term placement. It may not be a design company however understanding about how projects are run from a suppliers side (still involves design, management, specification & details plus site implementation & experience if possible) can really add value to your skills as a designer. You will get exposed to designers & clients expectations too. You can learn alot from a supplier if all else fails……

Don’t look for the obvious companies like everyone else. Look for a company who will expose you to all aspects of a design project and it’s workings. Think about what experience you want and see if you can tailor your placement to suit. Work with a D&B main contractor on a site implementing a project will expose you to time management, design drawings and changes, details and contraction processes and the real life hustle and grinding to get something built.