Learning Out Loud

Hello! My name is Lataira, and I am a Junior Interior Designer at Haute & Polished Designs, though I have not always been a Junior Interior Designer.

In August of 2020, I began reaching out to various design companies for an internship opportunity. During this time, Tishelle's Instagram popped up on Google, and so I decided to send her a DM. I know, not the most polished way to go about it, but in my head, the worst anyone could tell me was "no". Luckily, she responded and told me yes! We connected, and it obviously went amazingly because I have been with the firm ever since.

There are plenty of ways to go about the process of becoming an interior designer:

• Earn an Associate's degree and look for an internship for hands-on experience.

• Earn your Bachelor's degree, then join a firm as a Junior Interior Designer

• Gain experience in architecture, then switch over into interior design

• Skip the education and go straight into being a #BossBabe

Personally, I have witnessed and experienced that there is no straight road to your dreams. You begin to question yourself halfway through and wonder, "Is this the right move?" Honestly, you will never know until you feel content or realize you are unfulfilled, but the scariest part is never trying and leaving yourself to wonder "what if".

Your early 20's can be a very impactful time to find yourself. My advice is to assess your current situation and goals and pick a route that is best suited for you.

At the age of 21, I realized I wanted a more hands-on approach to interior design while I obtained my Associate's in Photography. Yes, college could have taught me color theory, CAD, rendering, and more; however, it would not have given me the client experience or the behind-the-scenes of a Principal Designer. I have no regrets about the path I have taken to get to where I am. As a result, I was able to see the truth behind being a CEO, which I wouldn’t have understood until many years later had I graduated and jumped directly into running an LLC (which I had considered).

Another tidbit: I did not know I wanted to be an interior designer, but I did know I was creative.

Through my early years of drawing, sketching dresses, painting, etc., when I was 9, like many others, watching HGTV when I was growing up, I knew I had a passion, but the understanding of it came later. I would find myself watching the HGTV shows and criticizing their work, or naturally finding alternative ways to correct their process. I would also visit various model homes OFTEN, pretending to know all the terminology when really I just knew the words "open concept" and "modern", LOL. My point is, it took a bit of reflection and putting myself out there to step into a world I had very little knowledge of to see if I felt passionate about the path I chose.

I will end it here, saying "do it scared," and until next time, this is Taira with Learning Out Loud.