Shoptalk: Emerging Designers Spill Top Advice

“When I began my career, I thought I needed to know more about design and the profession in order to have a voice at the table, so I deferred to those who were more experienced. My design director, who’s been an integral part of my development here at Vocon, helped me understand that my individual voice and vision are critical to the process and that I should embrace them. Our knowledge and skill sets grow with experience, but our personal perspective is unique and enormously valuable.” —Nicole Galuschik, Vocon

“Strive for innovation in every concept and selection, and choose the right idea for a space—rather than every idea.” —Leora Oh, Klai Juba Wald Architecture + Interiors

“After interning one summer at the office of my uncle, a doctor, he advised me: ‘Do something you love so much that you’d do it for free, and then do it well enough that people pay you.’ I went home and told my mom I was going to design school. Spoiler alert: I’m not a doctor, but it turns out interior design is a perfect fit.” —Dan Mazzarini, Mazzarini & Co.

“Most importantly, to share your knowledge and what you’ve learned from your projects. I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors who guided me early in my career and continue to inspire me today. Mentorship has profoundly shaped how I design and work. Second, trust your intuition. It usually knows long before anything else clicks into place. Whether it’s a client, a direction, or a decision, that instinct is worth listening to and can become one of your most valuable tools. And never overlook the details. The devil is always in the details.” —Jessica Alexander, KTGY

“Lighting is everything. Be it artificial or natural sources, lighting shapes the character of a space, from the color to the forms, mood, and texture. A mastery of lighting creates exceptional experiences. Since receiving this wisdom early in my career, I’ve utilized light- ing as a fundamental material in my work.” —Jill Goebel, Gensler