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The Outlook for Young Designers and Students


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May 15, 2020

COVID-19 hit at a hard time for many, but some of the most affected are the recent graduates and students who are now entering a damaged economy. Internships are difficult to facilitate with social distancing, jobs are scarce, and even any ongoing classes have been moved online – all of which might add up to a bleak outlook for these individuals. On another note, KBB spoke with many across North America and learned that – despite their circumstances – most are still showing positivity and resilience.

How They Are Keeping Busy

“Since finishing classes, I have continued designing by playing around on Sketchup and creating different kitchen and bath designs, as well as watching design shows and baking Pinterest recipes. My internship has agreed to proceed while working from home, so I will be busy with that until it is safe to open the office back up.”

Marisa Redden, a second-year student, Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta 

“During this time, I’ve been trying to keep myself creatively motivated by doing design projects on the side that I’ve been wanting to do and keeping myself moving in the right direction to my goals. I have taken this time to buckle down and study for the AKBD exam, which I plan on taking as soon as testing centers begin to open up again. My place of work has remained open because it is essential, so I am fortunate to still have a job at this time, but I still have more design career goals I am working toward.”

Victoria Sharkey, Specialty Appliance, Denver, a recent graduate of Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo.

“Currently I am completing my interior design degree online while working part time at a flooring showroom. I ended up adding an extra course to my workload as business has slowed down a bit, so this extra time has helped me focus more on school and I’m really enjoying it. As far as work goes, I have been helping redesign the showroom with a more current look. Since there is less traffic in the showroom, this is the perfect time to give the space a fresh, new design. We’ve been talking about redesigning for a while, so it’s been a really fun way to make this time worthwhile. I can’t wait for the clients to come back and see all the changes we’ve made!”

 Emily Hartley, Yorkville University, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

During this time, we have had clients who have put their projects on hold for the foreseeable future and a few that have been canceled, however, we are keeping positive attitudes and staying hopeful that we will be working with them again soon. We try to keep in touch and check in on our current and past clients so that they know we care about their family’s safety and overall well-being, beyond our relationships with them as clients.”

Sarah Pierce, Lane Homes & Remodeling, Richmond, Va. NKBA 30 under 30 Class of 2020

How They View the Changing Design Industry

“Honesty, the current situation does worry me slightly because if the economy deteriorates enough, not many people will be wanting kitchen and bath upgrades. However, I am a hopeful person! And I think with people being stuck at home, they are gaining a new appreciation for their interior spaces. This may also lead many people to realize what they want changed in their homes now that they spend most of their time there.”

Allie Jones, University of Michigan – Dearborn, Dearborn, Mich.

“I’ve noticed more people are using the time at home to update their interiors and are discovering a new love for DIY house projects, whether it’s newly painted walls or a full kitchen renovation. Designers can adapt to the new growth in DIY-ers by displaying their skills on social platforms and express the importance of the planning stages of a design. I think now, more than ever, people realize how important it is to support local businesses too. Builders, installers and suppliers are an important part of interior design businesses, and we need to communicate their skills and expertise to clients so they know they can trust us in creating a great final design.”

Shaelynn Brisbourne, Home Depot kitchen designer, Calgary, Alberta

“The big one is how designers now have to think about the materials and appliances we can use to help eliminate viruses and bacteria and do our part to make residential and commercial spaces healthier. Another big thing I could see happening is designers buying more locally instead of importing from out of the country, because shipping from far away has caused so many delays in projects. I think there will be a surge in clean and more sustainable design, especially in commercial applications where there are a lot of people in one place, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were new codes enforced too.”

Sharkey, Denver

Advice for Other Young Designers

“Working from home has shown us alternative ways we can connect with others, even while social distancing. With the use of different tools, such as e-design, we are able to continue to engage with clients during these uncertain times. Designers are all problem solvers, so I look at this as a creative challenge for us – what unique ways can we continue the design process and offer the best service to our clients?”

Emily Tomek, Drury Design in Glen Ellyn, Ill. NKBA 30 under 30, Class of 2020

“Nothing is certain at the moment, but you can always be creating and designing. With technology today, designing can be possible for anyone anywhere. Social media is also a great way to find design inspiration; I could spend hours scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram.”

Redden, Lakeland College

“Sometimes you have to just suck it up and get the experience. You can’t expect a regular salary, and a lot of designers work on full commission. You are going to have to put in a lot of time, even though you paid for school and you’re still paying for your education. A lot of us got caught up during the quarantine, but now we’ve got to put in the effort we wanted to put in.”

Kara Hayes, Kitchens by Wedgewood, Louisville, Colo.

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“As this time can be very difficult, I would invest in learning more about the industry. Take time to learn about software and expanding your knowledge. This is the time to research current and upcoming trends that will help you succeed as a young designer. This is free time you might not ever have again, so using it to gain more knowledge as you’re coming into the industry will be very beneficial. Also, I think as young designers, social media is something we are very knowledgeable in because we’ve grown up with it. This is something I would look into doing more with as an extra skill to add some diversity to your resume.”

Hartley, Vermillion, Alberta

“This won’t be the last obstacle that designers are going to be challenged with. Just like keeping up to date with design trends, it is also our job to be current with what is happening in our communities and adapt to these changes.”

Brisbourne, Calgary, Alberta

“My big tip for other younger designers is that good design is needed more than ever now.  We play an important role to help design spaces that can handle getting through a pandemic like this. You will get a job, you are essential, so study hard and make sure that you’re doing everything you can to ensure your success. Opportunities are everywhere. Don’t be afraid to take a job that initially isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, because you will gain experience and industry knowledge anywhere you go. Good design directly affects how we function as a society, and it affects our mental health and everything we do. Do not let this pandemic discourage you!”

Sharkey, Denver