Surrey, UK
Junior interior designer
at Concept Eight Architects
Concept Eight Design is looking for a junior interior designer to join its team in Surrey, UK.
Interior designer with a minimum of one year’s relevant UK experience.
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 and designers.
CV final submission date: 20 January 2023
Mission statement
Visionary interior design is an outward expression of our inner senses.
Background
Concept 8 Architects are a multi award winning, vibrant practice dedicated to the creation of high quality, innovative residential buildings. Our work has been featured in 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 14, 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 bonus. In 2013 we set up Concept Eight Design to complement our architectural services by offering clients interior architecture hard finishes and a limited scope of soft furnishings and procurement of FF&E.
Due to strong demand in the brand, a steady increase in interior design commissions has resulted in new work and 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. this person can expect to be involved in interesting projects from inception to completion.
This is a full-time position based five days a week in our Weybridge studio. Due to the nature of the role and our work typology, the studio offers fantastic opportunity to learn on the project, with exposure to all build stages, as well as learning from peers in the 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.
Our Instagram feed has most of our current work: @concept8architects
Person specification
This section sets out the requirements, competencies, skills, and qualities that are sought.
Basic requirements:
- a desire and drive to develop themselves professionally and utilise C8 support during their formative years
- adequate interior design degree in a UK establishment or necessary qualification at a well-regarded UK school of interior design
- at least 12 months’ relevant experience at an interior design/architectural studio
- positive and enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude, self-motivated and importantly solution driven
- good problem-solving and organisational skills, having the ability to run multiple tasks at the same time
- an enthusiasm for both residential design and quality design solutions
- proficient in relevant software
- an excellent command of English, both written and spoken
- will need to be able to communicate effectively over the telephone with clients, suppliers, and other professionals
- ideal candidate will have a car for access to showrooms, site, and clients’ homes, etc.
Position duties and responsibilities
Typical duties are set out below but will vary from project to project.
Project delivery includes:
- concept and detail design work
- mood boards
- ergonomic design
- FF&E schedules
- supplier cost schedule and budget tracker
- supplier visits with clients
- product and material presentation
- technical development of projects
- detail design
- technical drawings, full interior package, for example, room plans/elevations, bathroom, lighting, joinery, finishes, etc.
- SketchUp
- delivery of production information
- 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 building regulation applications, including coordination of technical material
- site co-ordination and assisting contractor once on site
- client presentation packs
- client presentations
- prepare handover documents for clients
- marketing packs for in-house, 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 internet, showrooms and UK trade shows
- updating electronic and physical product library
- liaise with client and suppliers, nurturing these relationships
- organise meetings and CPD with suppliers at the studio
- report to the design director on progress of project(s) and project risks
- monitor project costs
- visit suppliers’ showroom and arrange for samples to be obtained as required
- research products and materials specs and investigate suitability for use and maintenance
- arrange visits to site/clients home to present work, drop off samples, etc.
- organise meetings with suppliers at the studio as required
- assist design director with client meetings at the studio or in the client’s home
- prepare meeting agenda, take minutes, guide the clients through SketchUp models in the VR
- visit UK industry trade shows
- planning, programming and monitoring of design work to meet deadlines
- contact supplier for quotes, checking quotes and T&C’s, raising and checking PO, placing orders
- receiving, checking, and chasing orders
- furniture schedules
- site install meetings and technical co-ordination and queries
- snagging
- assist staging of homes for grand reveal/photography
- after care information and warranties
- opening trade accounts
- keep abreast latest trends
- 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
General office duties:
- ensure office/practice standards adhered to
- promote an environment where all team members can work to their strengths
- identify own training needs
- keep abreast of all regulatory development
- attend regular team meetings
- contribute to team successes
- nurture all relationships with suppliers, clients and co-workers
- set a positive example
IT and other competencies:
- good modelling skills: SketchUp skills essential (other 3D-modelling packages desirable)
- good presentation skills (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign)
- ability to hand-draw and sketch to a decent standard
- good command of CAD (Concept 8 Architects work in AutoCAD)
- good command of office systems (Word, Excel)
What we offer
- competitive salary
- bonus
- 20 days holiday, five to six days holiday at Christmas
- CPD
- UK trade shows
- open plan studio promotes a vibrant platform for learning and social interaction
- direct engagement with team architects
- team socials
- pension
Office requirements:
- personable, sociable and a positive member of the team
- friendly, positive 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
- get involved in non-work team social and sports activities
- office management tasks shared by all team members in the office
We kindly request your level of proficiency and number of years used for all software and include best examples of your skills in the software when submitting your portfolio.
Candidates must be a maximum of 1 hour commute to the studio.
Please include your current town of residence in your application.