An Interview With Athalia Monae
Be kind — That means be kind to people you meet along the way, from food service and maintenance to leadership and beyond. It doesn’t cost anything to give respect and gratitude but it speaks volume of your character. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself and notice when you need a break, physical or mental. It is so important to be your own health and wellness advocate. As someone who experienced burnout, I wish I was more aware of my limitations and boundaries. Lesson learned.
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 Aga Artka.
Aga Artka is a commercial interior designer and consultant who collaborates with construction and manufacturing clients. Her agile and visionary thinking, combined with design trends and color forecasting knowledge, allow her to bring value and design expertise to interior projects, product design and development as well as marketing and branding for enterprises and individuals. As a mentor, speaker and a co-author of “The Brand of You. The Ultimate Guide for an Interior Designer’s Career Journey”, a book on personal branding and career development, Aga’s goal is to help others find success in the field of interior design.
Thank you for joining us today! Can you share the story of what led you to pursue a career in commercial design?
Part designer, part strategic thinker, I was always seeking a creative outlet. I’m fascinated by the effect of space on human experience. I’m also deeply passionate about creating spaces that improve how we live and gather.
What’s the most interesting or amusing experience you’ve had in your career so far, and what lesson did you learn from it?
I am an idea person. As I explore and observe the world around me, I constantly come up with solutions to random problems. I think the most impactful experiences are those that aren’t necessarily planned but appear in the moment. I’m grateful that I acted on some cool ideas over the years. The time I started a t-shirt company called Enough Said Co., because a friend and I came up with several funny sayings about being a designer, and we thought: why not put it on a shirt! So many of our colleagues responded positively to the concept and became customers and supporters! Or the time I decided to write a book titled “The Brand of You” that would help interior design students navigate their careers as they enter the industry. It’s still a huge hit and a classroom resource. In both cases, I recognized the need and acted on the impulse. Sometimes that’s all you need to do — don’t overthink things. Follow your gut. Just do it.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you share a story about how it has been relevant in your life?
I have two:
- Don’t look back. You are not going that way.
The moment you get out of your comfort zone, you are exposing yourself to discomfort and failure.
But as painful as it is to make mistakes, it’s even more painful to look back at your life with regret, instead of admiration. Mistakes is how we grow and get better. So, I have learned to not dwell on the past, take the lessons as they come and keep moving forward.
2. Forward is a pace.
Sometimes things take a long time…in career growth, in design etc. Just because you can’t see immediate results, doesn’t mean that progress isn’t happening. We are used to fast pace living and instant gratification at work, but there are things that you just can’t rush. So I try to remember to be patient and grateful for the effort I am putting out each day, and trust the process.
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?
Problem-solver — you have to be able to identify opportunities for improvement, see challenges as future growth and initiate action for change. It starts with objectively assessing the situation and seeing things as they are, not as we want them to be.
Active listener — Gathering information and making informed decisions is key. This is a part of leadership that has to do with humility, honesty and empathy for other points of view. Leaders have to be inclusive and aware of the world around them. No successful business operates in a vacuum.
Comfortable with risk — The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. To be a successful leader is to be comfortable with the unknown. For some it may feel uncomfortable to try things that have never been done before. But for others innovation is thrilling and exciting. The best leaders see the world beyond today and aren’t afraid to go there. Even if it means taking a path less traveled and being up for an adventure.
Can you describe a recent project you completed and what your specific contributions were?
I recently completed a clubhouse for a multi-family housing project. I was a part of the entire process from planning to installation. It’s amazing to see the effort of many years to finally come to fruition.
How do you approach balancing aesthetics and functionality in your designs?
Both the aesthetics and the functionality of a space have to work in unison. One can’t existing without the other and be successful. It’s our job as designers to understand the client and the project, and translate their needs to the best solution that balances both.
What is your design philosophy when it comes to commercial spaces?
I tell stories with space. Most of my recent work in multi-family housing sector has been to tell stories of different communities and residents, and create a feeling of equity and belonging through space.
Where do you draw your inspiration for your designs?
I love to travel, near and far, and observe different people and different places. Many successful designs have already been created, so it is a matter of curiosity to find them. I also think that nature is a great teacher and there are many lessons designers can learn from the environment — pattern, scale, color, light, and it’s all free and abundant.
What strategies do you use to ensure your designs meet the needs of the end-users?
In the early stages of any project, it’s easy to get excited and jump to conclusions. I find that stepping back and making room for discovery and exploration is an important step in the process. Asking open ended questions. Being curious and ready to learn. Forgetting my own biases. Putting myself in the shoes of others. Giving them space to show me what’s not working rather than just telling. These are some great ways to engage in a thoughtful discovery, which drives other phases of the design process.
How do you approach sustainability in your commercial projects?
I struggle with waste. Waste of materials, space or time. I think design has to be mindful of it all… I think the industry is starting to look broader and beyond sustainability and pay closer attention to the bigger impact our decisions have on our future and the planet, not just the environment. I’m excited to see a shift toward circular economy principles and regenerative design process in the world of design and construction.
What impact do you think remote work and digital transformation will have on the design of commercial spaces?
I think this question touches on a major cultural shift, a macro trend related to ‘work’ in general. We are beyond the point when jobs have to be done in an office, at a desk, between the hours of 8am and 5pm. A lot of jobs outside of manufacturing award flexibility of time and space. In commercial spaces especially, be it workplace, hospitality or entertainment, we are seeing a focus on creating environments that accommodate work in different forms, places and at different times than we are accustomed to. Working from home or an office or a hotel lobby will all be acceptable options, challenges designers to reimagine their use.
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?
- Passion for design — you have to love what you do. Because it shows through your work and commitment to your career. When I design or when I mentor students, my passion for design is evident and clear.
- Know your why — In the book I wrote, I call this “the brand of you”, or your personal brand. Knowing why you became a designer and what drives you to show up for the world is key. My why is all about creating community, one project, one story, one client at a time.
- Strong network — Your success is dependent on other people, no matter how much you think you can go it alone. Inevitably, you will need someone to open a door for you, make an introduction, recommend you….The sooner you start to build a network of support…in business, in design, in community, the more potential for success. When I moved to the US as a young adult, I had to build my network from scratch. It took years of laying the foundation for a deeply diverse support network, which I am really proud of. If I could it, you can too.
- Persist to exist — The world doesn’t owe you anything. When you know what you want, you have to go and get it. With enough passion and drive, you will find a way to reach your goal. It may take a few tries. It may take a circuitous path. It may even take a pivot in your career, but it will happen. I’ve tested in many times — when I moved to the US and I persisted in my pursuit of college education. When I started my business and I persisted in pursuit of clients and projects that were meaningful and interesting. And when I started to build my design community through volunteering and mentoring efforts.
- Be kind — That means be kind to people you meet along the way, from food service and maintenance to leadership and beyond. It doesn’t cost anything to give respect and gratitude but it speaks volume of your character. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself and notice when you need a break, physical or mental. It is so important to be your own health and wellness advocate. As someone who experienced burnout, I wish I was more aware of my limitations and boundaries. Lesson learned.
What role do you think commercial design plays in community building and social interaction?
This topic is very close to my heart. Design and community building go hand in hand. As designers we can imagine and create spaces that promote belonging and togetherness. That includes making spaces for people to interact through play, conversation, exploration, observation, and multi-sensory engagement. It is so important to challenge ourselves to design for and with diverse voices and not rest on our assumptions. Many communities are undergoing major shifts toward being human-centric, experience-driven, socially supportive, safe and welcoming. I absolutely love that design can play a part in that important process.
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!
We are stronger together. My goal is to help others find success in the field of interior design. Whether that means sharing resources or inspiring career stories through my book or website, or building confidence and community through a monthly support group. The world is ready for a new generation of designers, who are focused on diversity, inclusion and social justice. I’m here to support everyone who wants to use design to change the world for the better.
How can our readers follow your work online?
My LinkedIn feed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agaartka/
And my book page: https://www.thebrandofyou.com/
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.
Aga Artka On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.