Interior Designer Alaina Penn On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Creativity is something we sometimes leave behind with our childhood imaginations, but that does not have to be. Keep dreaming, stay passionate, and bring your best gifts into every project. I found that taking that big idea and exploring it versus fighting it has led to great and successful designs that lead to happy clients.
As a part of my series about the ‘Five Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer,’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Alaina Penn.
Alaina Penn is a native and licensed Interior Designer from Atlanta, Georgia. She dives into every part of the design process, but has a particular love for conceptualization, furniture, and finishes. Having those special additions to a project with a meaningful purpose gets her excited to see her designs come to life.
She has been a part of several award-winning projects, recognized by the International Interior Design Association, and looks forward to the further impact she will have in design.
Thank you for joining us today! Can you share the story of what led you to pursue a career in commercial design?
My path to design was not a straight one. I started my career journey pursuing the field of medicine. I knew I wanted to help people, I wanted to make a positive impact, but after receiving a science degree and taking a shot at the MCAT, I knew something was not quite right. It took some self-reflecting on what it really was that brought me joy…that lead me to a creative career path at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I had always loved art and all things design, so it was a natural transition for me. Beginning in residential design and now working in commercial, here I am today, many years later helping people in a way I never imagined through design.
What’s the most interesting or amusing experience you’ve had in your career so far, and what lesson did you learn from it?
The most interesting experience I have had in my career is having the opportunity to design for my (first) Alma Mater, where I had pursued another career path. It was a special project for me that felt like life had come full circle in such a beautiful way. I went from having my own experiences on this campus as a student to creating new experiences for current students and all of those to come. The campus has grown and changed so much since I attended, and it felt great to be a part of that progression.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you share a story about how it has been relevant in your life?
A life lesson I take with me daily is, “all things will work together for my good.” It is easy to get discouraged or feel defeated when life does not quite seem like it is going the way we intended. However, I remind myself that there is a lesson in every outcome, and we must take our successes/achievements just as much as our challenges/obstacles as steppingstones toward purpose. I genuinely believe that if you stay in good spirits, good things will come to you.
As a successful business leader, which three character traits have been most crucial to your success? Can you share a story or example for each?
Be a Collaborator: remarkable success doesn’t happen alone, it takes a team, it takes multiple layers of ideas, expertise, and effort. We become better and stronger when we know how to work well with others. I have found that the design process flows more seamlessly when you have a great team!
Be a Humble Servant: it is important to always keep in mind that we are here to help others. This is something to particularly practice with clients, giving them the best possible service that we can. That comes with doing things like being patient, listening, understanding, making sacrifices, etc. It is also a trait that helps nurture the next generation of designers, as they are learning and progressing.
Be an Active Learner: a great leader never thinks they know it all, there is always more to learn and areas of growth. Continue to learn from those that have come before you, after you, and stay up to date on the latest and greatest to ensure you are operating in the best capacity.
Can you describe a recent project you completed and what your specific contributions were?
I have recently completed the conversion of an underutilized parking garage into a functional and inviting study library for students at Georgia State University. It was an incredible transformation, with many obstacles (literally), but it turned out wonderfully. We had an awesome team see this through, in which I contributed to the team as the Interior Designer. From the concept for the space, to the material selections, plan layouts, and specialty features, I worked closely with our amazing architecture team and consultants to see the project through from the outside in.
How do you approach balancing aesthetics and functionality in your designs?
Design gives the opportunity to make spaces beautiful, while making sure what we propose functions as intended. You can start with the big idea and adjust from there, from performance, to cost, and even availability…these aspects of a project are priority when balancing aesthetics and functionality.
What is your design philosophy when it comes to commercial spaces?
My design philosophy when it comes to commercial spaces is to design for the health, safety, and welfare of the users. Often, we have a high occupancy for these commercial spaces. We must build them for the well-being of the users, as well as design with longevity in mind. We want these spaces to last for the use and enjoyment of others.
Where do you draw your inspiration for your designs?
I get inspired by the client, the users, the building and surrounding environments. Every project is different, because of these key elements. I enjoy the early learning stages of the design process and letting that inspire me.
What strategies do you use to ensure your designs meet the needs of the end-users?
Many things like revisiting the program, coordination meetings, early design presentations, keeping a personal track of updates and to-do items, and ensuring you maintain an open line of communication between the design/construction teams helps ensure we are all keeping the project on track and meeting the needs necessary.
How do you approach sustainability in your commercial projects?
Sustainability is something we incorporate as a general everyday practice. From building studies, energy consumption, to material selections and long-term operating expenses, sustainability is embedded in each design.
What impact do you think remote work and digital transformation will have on the design of commercial spaces?
Remote work has its pros and cons in the design industry. We collaborate a great deal, which can make it easier and more efficient to do so when you are in-person, particularly during the “ah-ha” moments when you are able to have those quick conversations. However, it is important to have that “heads down” time to focus and be one’s most productive, while considering the overall comfort and flexibility it gives employees. I think having a hybrid approach to remote work gives employees the best in both worlds. The hope is that creating that balance between the two creates a space for happier employees that do great(er) work and attract more talent.
Digital transformation works just the same in design. It is something to celebrate and embrace, technological advancements have created ways for us to work much more efficiently. It is not slowing down, so we must jump on board to see how we can make it work for us. There are several ways to do so, while not losing the human nature behind design.
What are the five things you believe are essential for creating a highly successful career in commercial design? Can you share a story or example for each?
1. Creativity is something we sometimes leave behind with our childhood imaginations, but that does not have to be. Keep dreaming, stay passionate, and bring your best gifts into every project. I found that taking that big idea and exploring it versus fighting it has led to great and successful designs that lead to happy clients.
2. Knowledge should be an ever-seeking goal, you can never stop growing. Take CEUs, read articles of what is happening in the world, study other areas of design, etc. Challenge yourself to expand your mind even beyond your field of expertise. We work closely with so many consultants that it is important to learn and respect their fields of work, as well.
I remember the first time I was given the task of reviewing MEP drawings. I was completely lost, but overtime learning the systems and how they work together with the design helps ensure accuracy and cohesiveness. You do not have to know everything but challenge yourself to at least be able to speak intelligently about the several components that make up a project.
3. Connectivity is vital to success; you cannot do it on your own. From your design team to the design community itself, it is important to connect. Building healthy relationships always aids in creating magnificent work!
4. Adaptability is important, because everything will not always go as planned. As in anything, commercial design has its highs and lows, and we must be flexible and resilient when the lows come. Whether it is with projects or the economy, we must be open to the unknown and pivot. An example of this within projects is value engineering. This happens often, so we must find ways to keep the function, design intent, while meeting budgets.
5. Innovation is what keeps us moving forward. It is great to hold on to what works but push yourself outside of your boundaries to do something you have never done before. I remember my mentor telling me to never use the same idea twice and I have strived to hold true to that throughout my career. This pushes you as a designer and makes each project unique. Clients love when you have given them something thoughtful and special.
What role do you think commercial design plays in community building and social interaction?
Our job is to create spaces where people come together, we never design with the intention of just one person using the space. With that, we play a significant role in community building and social interaction through commercial design. We help facilitate encounters, spark ideas, and create memories. That is all a part of design that impacts the interactions and actions of others.
Given your influence, if you could inspire a movement to bring the best results and solutions to the greatest number of people, what would it be? You never know what impact your idea might have!
It would be a dream to merge my science background with my design background and create a space for children to learn essential skills, while being creative, and in touch with the earth. Children really are our future; I believe the influence we have on them from an early age helps create the greatest results and solutions in the future.
How can our readers follow your work online?
We can stay connected on:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-penn-ncidq-iida-85b135134/
Instagram — @alaina.artisty
Thank you for your time and excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Interior Designer Alaina Penn On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.