Design will always find a way
There are countless reasons why people change careers, upskill and even leave their home country, but none as devastating as war. Tetiana Alyeksyeyeva was forced to flee Ukraine in 2022 following Russia’s devastating invasion. Now 4 years later, like a phoenix from the ashes, Tetiana has completed a Higher National Certificate course and is stepping back into her dream career of Interior Design.
First earning a master’s degree in business economics may seem like an unlikely pivot to design, but as soon as a designer decides they want to turn professional, business knowledge is key. For Tetiana it was renovations on her own property that shifted her gaze from boardrooms to mood boards.
“So, I decided to explore it further and look for postgraduate courses to build a foundation, learn to use design programs, and understand styles and design processes.”
Once Tetiana had a foundation from which to launch, she stepped into freelance interior design and started her own practice. But when 2022 brought the bombs, it was time to move. Finding herself in the UK was the beginning of a difficult period. Tetiana wanted to pick up where she left off at home in Ukraine but sadly, the UK is a large and competitive market and when you are an unknown, it is like starting from scratch again. It may be disheartening, but she was not going to be deterred.
“I had always dreamt of having a recognised international qualification that would help me prove my skills and professionalism. So quite quickly, I found the course at the British Academy of Interior Design and decided to give it a go. And because I genuinely enjoy learning, it felt like the right step for me.”
Going International
And it was something she always wanted to do. Studying in Ukraine had provided a strong introduction to interior design but Tetiana always dreamt of studying on a more international platform.
“Then, when I moved to the UK, this opportunity came to me quite naturally—and it was exactly what I had always wanted.”
While it may seem like everything just slotted into place with the Academy, Tetiana had in fact been researching carefully and scouring the internet for the right fit for her needs. She is acutely aware of the importance of finding the right course and the value that can be gleaned from having your educational needs met.
“So, I researched different interior design courses in the UK, and it was very important for me that the qualification would be recognised, ideally internationally. I noticed that the academy offers postgraduate-level study, practical studio work, and opportunities to progress further into a university degree if needed. That meant I wouldn’t have to start over again at some point in my career if I decided to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree.”
Learning to know yourself
The most flexible study mode in the Academy is the Home Study option. Just like all courses in the Academy, the course material is delivered fully online, but the difference with Home Study is that you set your own timetable and you manage your own study plan. It is ideal for those with family or work responsibilities, but it also requires self-governance and a lot of discipline. Tetiana has found it a challenge to overcome the always enticing procrastination, but it was her assignments that kept her engaged.
“I really enjoyed every assignment because I gained a lot of deep knowledge. What I found interesting is that after almost every unit, I had a moment where I thought, “Oh, this is great, now I can be a kitchen designer,” and I felt inspired to choose it as a niche."
Then there was another strong unit on project management, and after completing it, I thought, “Now I can be a project manager.”
In other words, the depth of knowledge she was gaining and the practical aspect of the assignments, was building on Tetiana’s confidence as a designer and helping her see herself grow a stronger skill set.
When she first enrolled the goal was to gain a recognised qualification and find work in a UK based studio. But now that she has absorbed this new-found knowledge and wisdom, Tetiana is keen to revive her freelance practice and get to work. And it wasn’t easy. In a language that she is still learning and having been uprooted from home, the personal challenges were immense. But as often happens in the Academy, it is the most unexpected lessons that tend to be the most lasting.
“I think this course was one of the hardest challenges in my life—to be able to get a qualification not in my own language. So, I was learning the language during the course as well. Through this experience, I discovered how capable I am and how determined I can be when I know what I want to achieve.”
Even in the most unlikely circumstances, dreams can still come true
Today Tetiana is working on her portfolio and building a solid foundation for her business. This involves a rebuild of her website, improving her social media content and generally making her presence known. She is also in the process of completing a couple of interior design projects, which will undoubtedly enhance her portfolio.
“My main focus now is to polish the foundations of my business—my website, social media presence, and key business processes, including project management and interior design documentation used throughout a project.”
It may be a well-worn trope that nothing worth doing comes easy, but Tetiana’s road certainly had more than the usual share of obstacles.
“I realised that everything in life comes through effort—you only achieve things by putting in the work.”
And it is this level-headed approach that will be of great benefit to the construction of her career. With her business mind, her triumph over adversity and her great skill, it is clear that Tetiana will soon be a name heard in design circles all around the world.
