The year that was: Things I’ve learnt

This year, we sat down with the leaders and disruptors of commercial A&D to discuss their essential takeaways from a life in design, delving into subjects spanning briefing project teams, having multiple mentors and the power of storytelling. Reflecting on their careers and first-hand experience, here is what 2024’s cohort of Thing I’ve Learnt contributors had to say.

Focus on the objective

Justine Fox, Founder, Studio Justine Fox

Studio Justine Fox is a specialist colour consultancy using unique psychological and commercial insights to maximise the opportunities of colour to affect transformation. Fox taught us to hone in on the objective.

“There is so much incredible technical development and behavioural research in colour and materials that it’s tempting to bring everything you’ve discovered into a project, but you need to filter for each specific situation. There is no ‘one size fits all’ magic colour strategy. I always start by asking what we’re looking to achieve and what are parameters, and build the plan from there. Nothing should be in the spatial palette that that doesn’t have a purpose in supporting and shaping the experience.”

Read all of Justine Fox’ lessons here.

Challenge the brief

May Fawzy, Founder, MF Design Studio

Serving as the President of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), May Fawzy has cultivated a career in multinational architecture firms across the Middle East, Africa and the United Kingdom. In 2011, she founded MF Design Studio, specialising in commercial interiors. Fawzy highlights the importance of questioning the client brief.

“Clients don’t know what they don’t know. They do not always know what they truly need – they often come with assumptions, inspirations, or requests to replicate something they’ve seen elsewhere. Your job is to dig deeper. Challenge the brief every time. Ask the right questions and take the time to understand the underlying needs behind their desires. By pushing back thoughtfully, you open their eyes to possibilities they may have never considered. Your expertise and fresh perspective are why you’re at the table, so don’t shy away from guiding them towards a solution they may have not considered, that’s even better than they imagined.”

Read all May Fawzy’s lessons here.

Done is better than perfect

Henry Reeve, Head of Interior Design, IHG Hotels

As head of interior design at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Henry Reeve has over 20 years’ experience in the creative sector working both in-house and client side, now responsible for creating the interior design and guest experience across IHG’s hotels in Europe. Reeve champions a finished result over a ‘perfect’ outcome.

“As creatives, we tend to strive for perfection. However, I’ve learnt that perfection simply does not exist and the pursuit of it will often lead to frustration, conflict and disappointment. Regardless of budget, client or project, there will always be compromises and that’s ok – if anything, it’s good. It forces one to think differently, be flexible and if approached correctly, can often result in something far more interesting and nuanced than ‘perfect.’”

Read all Henry Reeve’s lessons here.

Set project teams up well from the start

Emma Morley, Founder, Trifle*

Creative director and founder Emma Morley founded commercial interior design studio Trifle* in 2010 after a career in marketing, event design and production. Morley learnt that preparing project teams sufficiently leads to more refined outcomes.

“Having worked across a multitude of collaborative projects over the years, the project team can really make or break the success of the project process – and therefore the experience of everyone on that project journey. It’s worth taking a little time up front to get to know people and understand how they work alongside what their expectations are. Strong relationships are crucial in creative businesses, helping to foster collaboration, trust, and innovation; they will also make the inevitable problem solving simpler.”

Read all Emma Morley’s lessons here.

Take the time to wander

Manuela Mannino and Nicholas J Hickson, Co-Founders of THDP

Manuela Mannino and Nicholas J Hickson are the co-founders of THDP, a leading hospitality interior design practice with studios in London and Milan. Mannino and Hickson stress the importance of familiarising yourself with the locale.

“Taking the time to wander and understand a place is essential for us because it allows us to grasp the local culture, environment and unique characteristics of the location – for example, when we design a hotel. By immersing oneself in the local context, as designers we can capture the essence of that destination. This first-hand experience enables the creation of a place that not only integrates seamlessly into its surroundings, but also offers a more authentic, immersive and enriching experience for those using it.”

Read all Manuela Mannino and Nichola J Hickson’s lessons in issue #230.

Know the when: when is the right time?

Pooja Agrawal, CEO, Public Practice

Agrawal is CEO and co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation Public Practice, which aims to enhance skills around the built environment within the public sector. She was part of the Regeneration and Economic Development team at the Greater London Authority (GLA) and has worked as an architect and planner at design practices including Publica, We Made That and G-Tects (New York). Agrawal taught us that timing, when it comes to achieving goals, is everything.

“From my experience, you must think and act in the short, medium and long term all at the same time – whilst having an awareness of how what you do in the short term will affect long-term outcomes. In our work we’re one step removed from the on-the-ground change. Our strength is knowing how to build long-term capacity, by attracting new skills in the short term and aiding retention in the medium term, resulting in a bigger, more resilient workforce in the long term.”

Read all Pooja Agrawal’s lessons issue #231.

Seek out mentorship

Moojan Kalbasi, Project Director, Perkins&Will

Moojan Kalbasi is a project director at Perkins&Will. Her portfolio ranges from large-scale mixed-use developments to more intimate refurbishments, with a keen focus on cultural and social influences. Kalbasi emphasised the value in effective mentorship.

“Having the right mentors at different stages of your career is paramount. I learnt this the hard way and a bit late in my career. A good mentor is aligned with your defined goals and values, and is not the person with status. It also sometimes helps to have more than one mentor to have different perspectives.  Mentors could offer foundational knowledge and nurture your creativity. I find when you are younger it helps if your mentor is from within your profession, but as you progress, mentors provide expertise and guidance. They serve as sounding boards, fostering continuous growth and ethical responsibility, shaping our design leadership in a different way.”

Read all Moojan Kalbasi’s lessons in issue #232.

Be well prepared

Yasmin Al-Ani Spence, WilkinsonEyre

Director at WilkinsonEyre, Yasmin Al-Ani Spence focuses modern methods of working and creating productive, effective workspaces; recently leading the retrofit of the Citi Bank Building in Canary Wharf, one of the largest workplace refurbishment projects in Europe that aims to set a benchmark in healthy, sustainable and balanced ways of working. Al-Ani Spence pointed out the significance of honouring people’s time and thinking ahead.

“Always be well prepared and on time. Manage your time well. I make a conscious effort to be aware of my diary and not to not cancel my meetings. Keeping people waiting or cancelling at the very last minute is not a good a thing. I remember when I was starting out, project architects would leave me waiting only to be asked to catch up at the very end of the day. I promised myself that I wouldn’t do that, and so far, so good.”

Read all Yasmin Al-Ani Spence’s lessons in issue #233.

Tell a great story

Julian Cross, Principal and Regional Design Lead, Woods Bagot

As principal and regional design leader for Woods Bagot, Julian Cross has more than 20 years’ of architecture and design experience, encompassing the UK, Europe and the Middle East, from luxury residential and hotel projects to high-end mixed use developments and large-scale urban masterplans. Cross underscored storytelling as a fundamental component in achieving well-rounded project outcomes.

“Buildings and cities tell stories, with each new structure adding a fresh chapter to an ever-evolving story. By creating a strong narrative about a place and its people, you can engage with all the project stakeholders in an equitable way, fostering empathy and connection. This approach is a great way to drive your design story from concept to completion, and to your end users, who ultimately become the recipients and future storytellers of the space.”

Read all Julian Cross’ lessons in issue #234.

Learn to manage stress and pressure

Suzanna Gaballa, Design Director, Universal Design Group

Suzanne Gaballa is design director at Universal Design Studio, leading projects spanning master planning, luxury interiors and future living concepts. Gaballa is committed to fostering the creativity and talents of the next generation and is currently a lecturer at The Bartlett, UCL. Gaballa believes carving out time for work, rest and play helps her avoid burnout and establish work-life harmony.

“Organise, prioritise and plan between work pressure, life commitments and rest. My calendars are my saviour, everything is recorded from meetings to tasks. Each calendar is visible to others, so that family items are aligned and so too are work commitments. This helps aid communication and reduce stress that often leads to conflict. Finding your method to help manage work as a part of your daily life is key to work life balance. I’ve seen others burn out and it’s easy for work to be all-consuming. Exercise is an important outlet to help me switch off and focus, as you must be in the moment when playing. Planning key breaks throughout the year also allows me to explore, be inspired and decompress.”

Read all of Gaballa’s lessons in the new issue of Mix Interiors, out tomorrow.