Meet the tutor: Lyndall Fernie - interior design tutor, Chelsea College of Arts

Tell us a bit about yourself and your path to interior design.

I originally trained as a fashion designer and worked in Italy for a couple of years before returning to London, where I worked in PR for a record label. It was great fun – there was a lot of partying, taking journalists out for lunch and looking after artists for hair and make-up on television, video and photography shoots!

Then I bought my first apartment and that was it – I was completely smitten with interiors. I went back to college at Chelsea and retrained as an interior designer.

I set up as a freelance designer straight out of college, but quickly realised that I needed some hands-on experience. I therefore worked for a design company 3 days a week while continuing to work on my own projects.

I then set up a partnership and opened a design and interiors shop in Islington, while continuing to work predominantly on residential projects in central London.

Today, I work as a freelance interior designer, specialising in high-end residential projects for private clients, alongside teaching the next generation of interior designers.

How much experience do you need to enter the interior design industry? 

Many people assume that you need a degree in interior design to enter the industry, but that isn't necessarily the case. What you really need is the right training and a good understanding of the practical and technical skills required.

With focused study, commitment and hard work, I believe it is possible to develop the core skills needed to secure an entry-level position within a design studio relatively quickly. Once you are working in the industry, you can develop the hands-on aspects of the profession, such as project management, working with contractors and dealing with clients.

In fact, having experience in another career can be a real advantage. You bring skills, confidence and life experience with you, all of which can contribute to becoming a better designer. I often find that mature students bring a particularly valuable perspective to the profession.

Are there any specific personal attributes or qualities that are helpful for becoming an interior designer?

You need to be able to visualise something before it has been created. Not everyone can do this, and those who can often take it for granted.

Being a good communicator is important, as is having an excellent eye for detail. You also need to be able to make decisions, solve problems and think creatively when things don't go according to plan – because they inevitably will!

Perhaps most importantly, you need to be genuinely curious about interiors, materials, buildings, furniture and the way people live.

What key skills are necessary for having a successful career in interior design?

There are many, but the key skills include spatial planning, technical and detail drawing, lighting design, sourcing furniture, fabrics and finishes, CAD, administration and project organisation.

Of course, you also need a strong sense of style and the ability to develop a design that is appropriate for the client, the property and the way it will be used.

Is it necessary to have a degree in interior design to enter the industry or are there other pathways?

No. A degree can be beneficial, but it does not have to be in interior design.

What is important is having the appropriate training and being able to demonstrate your skills through your portfolio. A focused period of study can give you the technical and creative foundations you need to start looking for work, provided you are prepared to work hard and develop an excellent portfolio.

Are there any courses that are beneficial for people to undertake?

Our Modules 1, 2 and 3 are designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to begin working in the interior design industry.

The modules progressively develop students' creative, technical and professional skills, culminating in a portfolio project in Module 3 that can be used when applying for jobs.

How important is business or project management experience as an interior designer?

It isn't essential when you are starting out, as these are skills you can develop once you are working within a design studio.

However, if you already have experience in project management, administration, budgets or dealing with clients, it can certainly give you an advantage.

What practical tips or advice would you give to someone who is looking to make the transition into the interior design industry from another career?

The first thing I would say is to understand that interior design is not an easy option. There is far more to the profession than many people initially realise. It is a highly detailed and technical career, as well as a creative one, and a good level of CAD proficiency is essential.

Be prepared to work hard. The most successful students are those who are committed, curious and willing to put in the time required to develop their skills.

I would recommend completing Modules 1, 2 and 3, as together they provide a comprehensive foundation for starting a career in interior design. Once you are working within a design studio, you can continue to develop the practical skills that come with experience, particularly project management, working with contractors and client liaison.

We teach Vectorworks as our main CAD programme throughout all 3 modules. In Module 2, we also introduce SketchUp, a 3D design programme. CAD is an essential part of working within an interior design studio, and employers will expect candidates to have a good level of proficiency.

Would you give different advice to a graduate who studied something non-design related?

Not really. Many of our students come from completely non-design backgrounds, and you don't need any previous interior design knowledge to take our courses.

What you do need is a good eye, an ability to put things together and a genuine interest in interiors – and, ideally, a healthy love of shopping!

What are the common challenges you face in your day-to-day work?

One of the biggest challenges is clients and contractors not always appreciating how much work is involved in designing an interior.

Even a seemingly small change can have a knock-on effect on drawings, budgets, ordering, lead times and other elements of the project.

Working with contractors can also be challenging if they don't fully understand the design intention. A large part of my role is therefore communication – making sure that everyone involved understands what we are trying to achieve.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Housewarming parties! They are just amazing. There is nothing better than seeing a finished project filled with the people who live there and hearing how happy they are with the result.

Ultimately, that's what makes all the hard work worthwhile. I love seeing clients genuinely happy with the finished space.

I've also noticed that, generally speaking, the fewer clients change my designs, the happier they tend to be!

In your opinion, what is the future for the interior design industry?

When I first started designing interiors, employing an interior designer was largely something associated with very wealthy clients.

Today, interior design has become much more accessible. Designers work across a much wider range of budgets, and more people are prepared to invest in their homes and in getting the design right.

I think this is a really positive development for the industry. People are becoming more aware of the value an interior designer can bring, not just aesthetically but in terms of space planning, problem solving and making the most of a property.

Tell us more about the interior design module programme.

Module 1 – building the foundations:

Module 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of interior design and provides the foundation for becoming a successful designer.

Students learn technical drawing, spatial planning, concept and mood boards, design theory, lighting, colour and colour palettes, soft furnishings and hard finishes.

The lectures are both in-depth and highly practical, giving students the knowledge and technical skills needed to begin developing their own designs.

Module 2 – commercial interior design:

In Module 2, students move into commercial design and undertake a bar and restaurant project, developing their skills within a more complex design environment.

Technical drawing becomes more advanced, with the introduction of 3D modelling using SketchUp. Students explore bar and restaurant design, commercial regulations, staircase design, detailed technical drawings, kitchen design, lighting design and further aspects of soft furnishings.

This module builds on the knowledge gained in Module 1 and introduces students to the additional considerations involved in commercial interiors.

Module 3 – creating your portfolio and preparing for the profession:

Module 3 is designed to help students create a strong, professional portfolio that can be used to secure employment as an interior designer.

Students can choose their own project, either residential or commercial. Some choose to design their own property or work on a project for an existing client, while many create an imaginary project specifically designed to demonstrate the skills and type of work they would like to pursue professionally.

The module covers a wide range of practical subjects, including progressive CAD, working with contractors, project sequencing, lighting design and lighting plans, setting up your own design business, fees and charging, insurance, Estimac interior design software, writing specifications, GA plans, detailed and setting-out drawings, working with specialists, planning considerations and, importantly, how to approach finding a job within the industry.

Be prepared to work hard – but enjoy the process. All 3 modules are intensive, and students are expected to work hard to achieve the standard of work required. There is a significant amount to learn, and developing the technical skills alongside the creative ones takes dedication and commitment.

Interior design is certainly not an easy option, but that is also what makes it so rewarding. It is an incredibly varied and creative career, and once you become immersed in it, it can be both hugely enjoyable and rather addictive!

Payment plans are available for our Interior Design Module courses, please see our course pages for more information:

• Interior Design Module 1
• Interior Design Module 2
• Interior Design Module 3