Find out about Lucy Brown BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student on placement as Junior Interior Designer at SHH Architecture & Interior Design
Deciding to carry out a placement year has been a big highlight of my university journey. I am currently half way through my placement year and I have highly enjoyed my time working for SHH Architect & Interior Design. They have supported my learning and have provided me with lots of valuable skills and knowledge for my future.
How did the Creative Careers Team support you?
The Creative Careers team were very helpful in aiding me throughout finding my placement job. They supported me via useful calls and chats to help me progress in the placement stages such as developing my CV and my portfolio.
How many roles did you apply for?
I applied for 8 placements via the site provided by the Creative Careers team, however the placement I landed with SHH was sought out independently; and the Creative Careers department were very supportive of this.
Who are SHH Architecture & Interior Design?
SHH is an architect and interior design company based in west London. They have been running since 1991 and focus on high-end residential properties predominantly based in London, as well as also having a commercial/hospitality team.
Tell us a about your Junior Designer role
My role here is on the residential interiors team. I have been involved with multiple projects so far and have been enjoying every minute of it. Working with such a skilled team of designers has highly aided me with my progression, and I already feel so much more confident in my work.
How are your skills developing through your placement?
SHH have enabled me to develop my skills within Photoshop and ArchiCAD which will be highly useful to bring back to university with me. In particular, my confidence has grown significantly and I believe this will aid me greatly in my final year at university.
Highlights so far
I have had many highlights so far throughout my placement working with a great team who are willing to help me learn throughout my year.I have been lucky enough to visit some remarkable suppliers here in the heart of London as well as others further across the country which has been amazing to experience. Being able to visit ongoing projects on site, as well as completed projects has been great to experience.
My visit to RH who have recently opened a 64 room showroom in Oxfordshire.
During the visit I had the opportunity to view some extraordinary pieces of furniture.
We often have visits from suppliers coming into the office to showcase their new design launches. These include, wallcoverings, fabrics, heathers, veneers and specialist finishes. Supplier visits are always a highly interesting aspect of the job, I loved getting to see and touch new finishes from many suppliers. It gives me further inspiration and creativity when it comes to choosing finishes for our projects.
I was also invited to a workshop in Mayfair, London which enabled me to experience the process of one of their wallcovering designs being produced, and also to create our own! This workshop was highly iterating to carry out, it enabled me to learn more about the supplier as well as getting to network with other design companies.
The supplier in the photograph is Novocastrian.
Holly Hunt Workshop in Mayfair, London.
Overall what is your placement experience so far?
I have felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to carry out my placement with SHH as they have supported and guided me throughout my placement. I have been fortunate to be invited to lots of events, functions and workshops hosted by suppliers which have been great for networking throughout the design community.
Gaining hands-on experience with existing projects has only further excited me for my career after university and has given me further drive and determination to succeed in my final year at university.