London, UK
Junior interior designer
at Concept Eight Architects
Concept Eight Architects is seeking a junior interior designer to join its team in London.
Opportunity to rapidly gain exposure and experience in all stages of interior design activities in the bespoke residential sector. Work on design-focused projects from inception to completion in a friendly and dynamic team working alongside the design director as well as interior focused architects.
Interior designer with a minimum of one year’s relevant UK experience.
Background
Concept Eight Architects are a multi-award-winning, vibrant practice dedicated to the creation of high-quality, innovative residential buildings, from smaller-scale design-focused homeowner extensions to large new-build houses and apartment schemes for developers. Our work has been featured international and national press and publications as well as TV and industry magazines. We have grown steadily over the past 13 years to a team of 12, and pride ourselves in offering varied opportunities to all staff, aiding their professional development and remunerating them well with a combination of competitive salary, pensions and annual bonus.
Being an award-winning practice, design is at the forefront of our process, however almost all of our project get built and we also try and ensure that we are equally technically robust and creative in our approach and process. The practice operates a studio environment with regular project reviews and crits as well as inviting external suppliers and companies to assist with learning and updating on the industries fast-paced development.
Due to the demand in interior design commissions we set up Concept Eight Design in 2013 as a sister company working alongside the architectural practice. Currently we are forecasting an increase in new work, and therefore are looking to add a further junior team member to our studio who can expect to be involved in interesting projects from inception through to completion, being involved across all stages of the interior design process on a daily basis.
The nature of the role and our work typology, offers a fantastic opportunity to learn on the project, as well as providing a great environment to learn and communicate with peers in our open plan studio.
We operate out of an impressive studio based in Weybridge, Surrey, with our staff living in areas such as Clapham, Putney and Richmond as well as outside London in Surrey, Guildford, Woking and Reading. The team benefit from a commute against the traffic. We have excellent staff retention and make great effort to ensure the studio environment is open and friendly, with a strong social atmosphere and focus on a good work-life balance. The majority of the team have been with us for many years.
More information on the practice’s work is available on our website.
Duties and responsibilities
We are currently looking for a friendly, proactive design-focused, interior designer with plenty of ambition and drive to join our friendly and talented team based out of our design studio in Surrey. You must be CAD proficient and able to work on AutoCAD and SketchUp proficiently, as well as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. You will also need to be able to work on Excel and understand project build programmes. The role will require a high level of organisation working with the design director, suppliers and build teams to ensure for a seamless process on site. Alongside this you must be able to source mid to high spec residential interior fit-outs. You will have the opportunity to see projects from inception to completion within 12-15 months in London or the surrounding areas.
The candidate must have successfully completed their necessary qualifications at a well regarded UK school of interior design, and have had a minimum of 12 months experience at a UK residential studio.
The right candidate will want to join the studio for the long term, seeking to grow their career at the practice. The candidate would be responsible for the day-to-day delivery projects, reporting to the design director as well as senior architects, associate or director.
Typical duties are set out below, but will vary from project-to-project.
Position duties and responsibilities
Project delivery includes:
- moodboards
- FF&E schedules
- ergonomics – space planning
- supplier cost schedule and budget tracker
- supplier visits with clients
- knowledge of presentation material
- technical development/detailed design drawings
- joinery drawings
- lighting/power intent drawings
- finishes drawings
- room plans and elevations, including bathrooms
- other interior package drawings
- production of 3D sketch (freehand/SketchUp)
- production of reports, drawings, schedules and specifications
- input into planning and listed building applications, including writing heritage impact assessments and design and access statements
- input into conditions surveys and historic building appraisals
- prepare handover documents and drawings for clients
- input into building regulation applications, including coordination of technical material
- site coordination and assisting contractor once on-site
- client presentation packs
- organising marketing packs for awards submissions, magazine publication, PR and social media
Daily tasks include:
- daily reporting to design director and working dynamically to the day-to-day needs of project tasks
- sourcing from the internet, showrooms and trade shows
- updating electronic and physical product library
- liaise with clients and supplier, nurturing relationships with suppliers
- organise meetings with suppliers at the studio as required
- arrange for samples to be obtained as required
- ideally have use of a car for access to showrooms, site and clients homes etc.
- arrange visits to site/drop off samples etc.
- assist design director with presentations to clients at their homes and in the office
- visit UK industry trade shows
- planning, programming and monitoring of design work to meet deadlines
- coordination of work produced by project team, including consultants
- liaise with the client, consultants, local planning authorities, and other statutory bodies and committees
- ensure project QM, CDM/H&S files are maintained in accordance with practice standards
- administration, contact supplier for quotes, checking quotes and T&Cs, raising PO, checking PO
- placing orders
- receiving orders and checking orders
- opening trade accounts
- prepare agenda and minutes for project meetings and ability (where required) to chair meetings
- record minutes from meetings
- report to the design director on progress of project(s) and project risks
- monitor project cost
- keep abreast of all regulatory development
- keep abreast of latest trends
- assist with professional photography
General office duties include:
- ensure office/practice standards adhered to
- promote an environment where all team members can work to their strengths
- identify own training needs
- attend regular team meetings
- contribute to team successes
- set a positive ‘can-do’ example
- ensure the office interiors library is kept up to date
- ensure interior sample library is kept up to date and in an orderly manner
Person specification
This section sets out the requirements, competencies, skills and qualities that are sought.
Basic requirements:
- a desire to develop themselves professionally and utilise Concept Eight Architects’ support during their formative years
- adequate interior design qualification or degree in a UK establishment
- at least 12 months experience at a relevant interior design/architectural studio
- positive, proactive and enthusiastic ‘can-do’ attitude is a must
- team player both internally in the studio as well as to the wider project team
- good problem-solving skills and having the ability to run multiple tasks at the same time
- an enthusiasm for both residential interior design and residential architecture, ensuring quality design solutions
- an excellent command of English, both written and spoken
- will need excellent communication skills over the telephone and in-person with clients, suppliers and other professionals
- responsible
- highly motivated
- IT and other competencies
- ability to hand-draw and sketch to a decent standard
- good command of CAD (Concept Eight Architects’ work in AutoCAD)
- good modelling skills – SketchUp skills essential
- good command of office systems (Word, Excel)
- good presentation skills (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign)
- assist in preparation of virtual reality models for client presentation
Professional practice skills
The candidate must be able to demonstrate competence in most if not all of the following areas:
- ability to carry out duties of an interior designer or equivalent
- excellent design skills, with the ability to explore and present thoughtful options for review and development
- good detailing skills, with sound knowledge of building technologies, materials and how they are assembled
- knowledge of technical standards
- knowledge of products or the desire to research thorough knowledge of product
- good organisational skills to manage various suppliers delivery and sign off through sourcing, purchasing, through the design and build phase
- hand over activities
Office requirements:
- personable, sociable and a positive member of the team
- friendly attitude with both clients, suppliers and colleagues
- offer opinion and review colleagues’ work
- present your ideas to the team for them to review your designs
- work across teams and assist others on their projects
- arrange relevant CPDs and suggest technical engagement for the team
- get involved in non-work team social and sports activities
- office management tasks shared by all team members in the office
Please submit applications using the ‘apply’ link below.