In this section we look at the different types of interior design practice, focussing on three leading UK-based designers.
The interior creatives
Blacksheep
Founded by Tim Mutton and Jo Sampson in 2002, Blacksheep are known for their inspirational interiors – some of their most successful, for leisure and hospitality clients. They work with a small, core team of designers from their studio in East London.
www.blacksheep.uk.com
How do you get projects?
After eight years in the business, we are in the great position of getting work purely on our reputation, but of course enquiries also come in through all the traditional channels – repeat business; via contacts generated through the processes of business development and PR activity...]
What do you require in terms of a brief from your clients?
We need only the very barest starting point of an aspiration or business objective. We much prefer to develop a brief together with the client, asking questions and even being quite challenging, until we arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the job and its targets.
What kind of research do you do prior to starting the design stage?
We look at the brand and its business history. We look at its competitors and the current state of the marketplace where the business operates. Then we profile the target customer. This gives us a good overview and starting point.
How does your design process begin?
We cast the net as widely as we can initially with a team brainstorm, based on the brief and the research. We involve as many of the team as possible at this crucial ideas stage.
How do you visualise your ideas?
It really depends on the project and on what’s appropriate. It could be any or all of these: hand sketches, CAD visualisations, mood boards, models, plans, sections and elevations.
How much time and effort is spent researching and sourcing materials and furniture?
This is one of the biggest elements of any project. Furniture and materials have to be absolutely right for the job. We often create bespoke furniture as a result and we make a point of developing very good relationships with preferred suppliers so that we get first access to the best and most innovative products.
Who do you work with to realise your schemes?
We work with the full consultancy range – quantity surveyors, project managers, M&E, lighting, sound and garden designers. We chop and change on each project. It’s important to us is that we work with the best in each field at any given time.
The interior designer and 'taste maker'
Suzy Hoodless
Part of the launch team for Wallpaper magazine, Suzy Hoodless started out as more of an art director than a designer but is now much in demand for interior projects, usually residential, working from her London studio.
www.suzyhoodless.com
How do you get projects?
We get all our work through word of mouth.
What do you require in terms of a brief from your client?
I need to understand the client's needs in terms of functionality of the space as well as their hopes and dreams aesthetically. Every project is unique. I try to fuse the client's brief, the architecture and the environment with the interior. I want an interior to look grounded and unforced.
What kind of research do you do prior to starting the design stage?
We spend a great deal of time on the research stage. We research the local area, the architecture, the cultural needs, the client’s requirements. We spend a great deal of time collating inspiration which can come from a myriad of sources. This stage really is the foundation of the project.
How does your design process begin?
We start with mood boards. I am not interested in the plans or budget at this stage. It’s about blue sky thinking, capturing a mood and a feel. We have in excess of 15,000 photographs that I have personally taken that are a great resource and source of inspiration at this early stage – many from travels around the world.
How much time and effort is spent researching and sourcing materials and furniture?
We spend a vast amount of time researching and sourcing materials and furniture. We work with international contemporary distributors and agents, antique dealers, as well as sourcing from auction houses globally, furniture fairs and specialist dealers from across the globe. Our search is always wide and diverse.
Who do you work with to realise your schemes?
It’s important to me to collaborate with the best people for the job, to bring in specialists whether they are illustrators, eco advisers, photographers, architects...We will often be responsible for putting together the team.
The commercial interiors specialist
Pernille Stafford
Pernille Stafford is director of interiors at leading architecture practice Scott Brownrigg. She works on a range of interiors for the office, defence, hospitality and education sectors.
www.scottbrownrigg.com
How do you get projects?
Our projects come in a variety of forms. Many are the result of design pitches but we have a rich heritage spanning 100 years and are very fortunate to have a loyal following.
What do you require in terms of a brief from your clients?
This varies from project to project, but the more detail and in depth the better. On the workplace and education projects we take a very detailed brief collected via visioning workshops and individual interviews. On others, like defence, we are given a very stringent set of criteria to work with. Hospitality requires more of a subjective look and feel, although obviously we still need the essential ingredients of the space.
What kind of research do you do prior to starting the design stage?
We obviously research the company, their products or market offering, to make sure we understand the brand and their people; the demographics, their sustainability viewpoint etc. For education projects it is really important to understand the way of teaching proposed in any given space and respond creatively to that and with a vision that provides flexibility for the future.
How does your design process begin?
Sitting around the kitchen table with a sketch book and blackboard brainstorming ideas
How do you visualise your ideas?
We put together mood boards and sketch ideas on every project. We create CGIs for all projects or sketch up models and sometimes we create walkthroughs. We do not often have physical models made up for the interior projects.
How much time and effort is spent researching and sourcing materials and furniture?
Lots! This is fundamental to the success of the project and the individual look and feel. Again, it really is dependant on project drivers like sustainability. A BREEAM excellent rating will drive the finishes in a certain direction. If it's about cost we will possibly look at different options, or if it is purely brand driven we may select alternative finishes.
Who do you work with to realise your schemes
It varies. M&E expertise is crucial, but many other consultants form part of our team: structural engineers, acoustic consultants, catering consultants, sometimes specialist lighting consultants, AV consultants, sustainability experts, technologists and even psychologists...