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 focussed projects from inception to completion in a friendly and dynamic team working along side the design director as well as interior-focused architects. This role is for an immediate position offering.
Mission statement
Visionary interior design is an outward expression of our inner senses.
Background
Concept 8 Architects Ltd are a multi award winning, vibrant practice dedicated to the creation of high quality, innovative residential buildings. Our work has featured in numerous National and International press and publications. In 2013 we set up Concept Eight Design Ltd to complement our architectural services by offering our clients interior architecture hard finishes and a limited scope of soft furnishings and procurement of FF&E.
Due to a strong demand in the brand we are now seeking to add to the interiors team, to work on a number of high profile live projects and expand the business into the full scope of FF&E The individual will be working within the studio alongside the design director, architects and technologists.
The nature of the role and our work typology, offers a fantastic opportunity to learn on the project, while working on design led commissions which go from inception to completion in a relatively quick timeframe.
The candidate will be working alongside the senior interior designer and will work on a range of projects, where we will be undertaking the full interior design for all of the habitable rooms. The role will involve the opportunity to be working on 3no. live flagship new build projects as follows:
- a bespoke 6,000sqFT contemporary family home overlooking fields in Surrey
- an urban new build multilevel home in north London
- a large 7,500sqFT detached family home in one of Surrey’s premiere private
We operate out of an impressive open plan 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. We are seeking individuals who wish to learn and thrive as part of a team. The dynamic role requires the candidate to have a can do, positive attitude and excellent inter personal skills for working with colleagues, suppliers, as well as clients.
The ideal individual will preferably have undertaken a minimum of 1 year’s work in similar project typologies, who wish to further their career with us. We will however consider up and coming designers who have had less industry experience. It is a junior role suited to those who are willing to progress their interiors learning and grow with us, while working on industry leading award winning projects.
Please ensure you send your portfolio and CV by COP 26 November 2021. A timely response is preferable as we are looking to ideally fill the position sooner than this deadline. Please send your application using the ‘apply’ link below.
We kindly request that you indicate your level of proficiency at the required software on your CV and submit best examples that demonstrate these skills in your portfolio.
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 In Design, Illustrator and Photoshop. You will also need to be able to work on Excel and be willing to understand and work on project build programs and sequencing of orders. 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 fitouts. You will have the opportunity to see projects from inception to completion within 12-18 months in London and South East.
The candidate must have successfully completed their necessary qualifications at a well regarded UK school of interior design, and have preferably 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 will 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:
- mood boards
- 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
- 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
- liase client and supplier, nurturing relationships with suppliers
- organise meetings with suppliers at the studio as required
- arrange for samples to be obtained as required
- ideally drive 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
- strong administration skills
- contact supplier for quotes, checking quotes and T&C’s, raising PO and 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
- assist in staging of homes for end of project presentation/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 upto 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 C8 support during their formative years
- – Adequate interior design qualification or degree in a UK establishment
- – 12 months industry experience preferred at a relevant interior design / architectural studio
- – Positive, Proactive and enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude is a must
- – Team player both intermally 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 communicate 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
- – Good command of CAD (Concept 8 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
- excellent design skills, with the ability to explore and present thoughtful options for review and development
- good detailing skills, with sound knowledge of fitout, 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
- present your ideas to the team for them to review your designs
- work across teams and assist others on their projects
- arrange relevant CPD’s 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