Erns Wall
What do you do in your current job?
As a commercial interior designer in a relatively small interiors group at my office, I am involved in all aspects of a project. Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation, and Contract Administration. At the NTAG Victoria Office, the majority of our work is governmental and institutional, so mainly workplace design projects throughout BC for various government ministries and departments.
What are you doing right now that you are most excited about?
Right now I am working on a couple of interesting projects such as an air force base on Vancouver Island and a Passport Office in Vancouver. It’s highly technical work with very strict design standards to adhere to – especially in a space like a passport office which will be utilized by all types of people and takes ‘universal design’ to a whole new level. I like these types of projects because I enjoy the push-pull of working creatively within really tight parameters – there’s always a place for creativity even when at the outset of the project it may not appear that way. I’m also scheduled to write my NCIDQ exams in the fall, so that’s exciting too!
What is your proudest achievement since graduation?
Being the first WELL Accredited Professional designer in Manitoba. Also being part of the team that won a Gold MASI award for the Winnipeg NTAG office renovation.
What do you find to be the most challenging, and the most rewarding aspects of your career?
I sometimes struggle with keeping myself organized, especially when juggling a handful of different projects with demanding deadlines. It’s not really a project-related thing but I have definitely had to work on developing better organizational skills to keep myself focused. It’s also an incredibly important skill to have as you get more involved with the project management and consultant coordination aspects of design work.
The most rewarding aspect of a career in Interior Design, for me, has always been the feeling of visiting a finished project a while after it’s been occupied and observing how people are using the space I’ve designed for them. We all spend so much of our lives at work that I feel a great sense of pride in knowing that the workplaces I design are making a real positive impact in peoples’ day-to-day lives.
What advice would you give to those who are considering a career in interior design?
Approach every project with an open mind and a fresh perspective. Take the things you learn along the way and apply them to your next project, but don’t get down on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Each client group is different and has their own unique priorities and way of navigating a project, so being able to adapt to different ways of working is essential.
Especially in renovation work, there are always surprises along the way and you never know what you’ll discover on site once demolition gets underway, so become the ‘solutions’ person and act quickly but always in a well considered way that puts the client’s objectives and their long-term success as the top priorities.
What drew you to interior design? What do you love most about it?
I’m a detail oriented person so I’ve always been drawn to how each project requires tailor-made solutions to fulfill the requirements for the project. I also have always had an interest in sociology and psychology so Interior Design is a great fit for me as it brings together so many different areas of interest for me.
What I love most about it is providing people with great places to work. Spaces that are exciting and welcoming, and enable people to do their best work. I also really love detailing custom furniture. Millwork, and other architectural features that give each space a cohesive look and feel.
How did your MID degree at the UM help to prepare you for your career?
What I like about the MID program and what I think sets it apart from other programs is the focus on theory and abstract problem solving. Being taught how to think through problems vs. a more technical approach of how you actually get it done has a lot of benefits and ultimately prepares you to jump into all types of projects with confidence. Not to say that the MID program didn’t have a technical focus as well, but you can learn how to do the drafting and programming at many colleges, but almost none also offer the theory side. I think it really sets UM MID grads apart in the job market.
In what ways did your experience at the UM contribute to your success?
Travel is a huge part - the Chicago trip, Berlin Studio, and Istanbul studio when I was a student really opened up my world to different cultures and perspectives. I also had the opportunity to work as a research assistant while in the MID program, which helped me to familiarize myself with some of the more technical and research-based approaches to design that I very much still use in practice today.