The designer inside the interior designer
There are many interior designers who have no idea that they are designers until something is unlocked inside them and they realise that they were a designer all along. Jennifer Hockenhull is a perfect example of this type of natural-born designer who almost found out by accident.
With a degree in psychology and a career in business management, Jennifer spent many of her adult years unaware of her inner interior designer slumbering inside her, like a sleeping volcano waiting for the right moment to erupt. As a child she caught a glimpse of her alter-ego designer, finding great joy in contributing to the decoration of her own bedroom. Later, when she moved into her first home, she would again encounter this dormant designer as she began to understand the impact good design can have on her wellbeing. But it was when her own child arrived that Jennifer began to really listen to her calling.
“Following the birth of my daughter, I had begun to feel a shift in priorities for both my career and family life which prompted me to think about my future direction.”
As we mature and grow as humans, we find ourselves at a crossroads where new choices are presented to us and new ideas take precedence. This can be a path towards safety, comfort and wellbeing. As Jennifer’s life progressed, she also felt a new sense of values. The concept of a house becoming a home became paramount.
“Looking back, I think that was the time when I started to realise the impact interiors can have on your feelings and wellbeing. This then carried on when my husband and I bought our first home together, a Victorian terrace which required a lot of re-development and renovation, a process I realised I thoroughly enjoyed. This was just before we had our daughter so once I started thinking about alternative careers, interior design started to become an option.”
Best of both worlds
And when it comes to appreciating anything to do with design, it tends to have more than a fleeting level of interest. Jennifer was taking stock of everything now and felt a profound urge to carve a new path for herself and for her family. But the first step would be to learn more.
“I researched a few interior design schools and BAID met a lot of the criteria I was looking for. I was starting the course soon after relocating to a rural area, so the online learning element was very important, but I was also able to travel to a weekly class in Birmingham which really did give me the best of both worlds. The fact that I could also study at my own pace brought an excellent balance to my family responsibilities with a young child.”
The road to professional interior design often starts as Jennifer's did, in the sanctuary of your childhood bedroom by adding your personality to the decor. But as often happens with people who decide to pursue interiors further, they soon learn there is so much more to interior design than moving a bed and hanging pictures.
“The most challenging aspect of the course was learning and applying the level of detail that interior design involves. The amount of testing and research that goes into layout planning, materials, finishes, colour and lighting in order to meet the client brief and develop a robust design with longevity, was eye opening.”
But this is the very thing that makes it fascinating. An interior designer has a responsibility to the occupiers and users of the space they design. This means that they wield the power to directly influence how people feel within a space. And with great power comes great responsibility. It is therefore vital that a designer has a profound knowledge of their craft and knows what they are doing.
“Alongside this, one of the really interesting areas of the course for me was the historical and contextual research of design - the different design movements throughout history and the impact these, and individual interior designers, had on the world of design and society itself was fascinating. In fact, I have become a bit fascinated with all of this and it’s something I continue to read and research.”
Learning never stops
But learning doesn’t stop with facts and skills, it often has surprising and unexpected takeaways that not only enrich the learners’ experience but can also benefit the individual as a person.
“I definitely learnt to be more patient with myself and that good design shouldn’t be rushed or done on instinct alone. Ideas need to be tested and developed accordingly and discussed with the client. This also means that early and considered planning is important when undertaking a design project so that sufficient time is allowed for this part of the process.”
Once a student arrives with an open mind, there is no end to the possibilities they can reach. Jennifer began her course with an eye on commercial design but as her knowledge and skills expanded, she realised she was in fact drawn to residential design. Perhaps her background in psychology has contributed to this curiosity as residential design is the ultimate people-centric specialism of all the areas Jennifer could have chosen. Creating a home where people feel relaxed, unburdened and free from the stresses of the outside world is not exactly a huge departure from psychological therapy and care. Both disciplines require an analysis of the wants and needs of the people at the centre of the project.
Now a graduate of the Academy, Jennifer is well on her way to improving lives’ and delivering thoughtful, beautiful spaces.
“I have set up my own interior design business, Hockhouse Designs which focuses on helping homeowners and families create a home that works for them not only aesthetically but also functionally. I’ve helped clients with specific problems or ideas through my consultation service, designed a homely living room for a client who had just purchased a small flat and helped an acupuncturist better incorporate her business branding within her clinic space with some design techniques.”
And with a clear openness to inspiration and innovation, her path promises not to be a straight line to residential only – that would be far too predictable for Jennifer.
Are you ready to explore your own Creative Future?
Whether you’re looking to change careers, develop your creative skills, or turn a passion for design into something more, the Academy’s Interior Design courses are designed to help you build practical, industry-ready skills from home with personalised tutor feedback and flexible online learning.
Explore now and discover where your creativity could take you.
