FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
You know the saying when one door closes, another door opens? I have been struggling with that phenomena since June 15, 2008 the date I left public accounting (kicking and screaming I might add). I tried to embrace my new door. The new door would be interior design. At first I kept banging on that locked door of public accounting - I wanted in -but it was locked, bolted, and nailed shut. As time went by, I quit banging on it with both fist and just politely knocked. Now I am gradually opening the door to interior design in fact the door is slightly ajar and I see sunshine and beautiful things. I occasionally touch the closed door and feel a great deal of melancholy, but realize I must find strength in what I can do, not what I cant do. I am Kathleen Jennison and I enjoyed a long career working in public accounting as a Certified Public Accountant, but an accident in June 2006 changed my life. I was definitely a classic left brain person - I like details, I'm highly analytical, organized and disciplined. Oddly after my accident (which are mainly traumatic brain injuries) I began to notice a change to my "hemispheric proclivities." I had a strong desire to draw and paint. And family and friends also noticed changes in my personality. One of my physicians suggested I take some art classes. I enrolled in college and in between work took Basic Drafting and Color Theory classes for the first quarter I thought "hmmm... this is kinda fun." One day as I was taking a break from work - feeling so lost and confused and thought to myself - "What will thrill and delight me?" The answer was interior design. I left my career as a C.P.A. and I am a junior at the Art Institute of California-Sacramento. I am also an intern for Applegate Tran Interior Designs. What can I do? I can learn new software: Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, AutoCAD, Sketchup and today I began to learn Revit. I can get another college degree. I can meet wonderfully talented people. I can design and draw floor plans, elevations, sections, lighting plans by hand and electronically. I know about construction materials. Heck, this week I even drew the construction plans for stairs! Sometimes it is hard to stay motivated, when everything is a struggle and sometimes I just want to hide away in my safe home. But I recite by favorite poem by William Woodsworth and find strength in what remains behind. Yes, this is the best time of the life, because every day is new and fresh.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ten Reasons You May Need Interior Designer Expertise: 1. I am a combination of engineer and artist. Not only do I take into account safety and economy when designing a space, but I also create an aesthetic that can comfort and inspire. 2. My work improves the lives of others. I design for the homebody and the workerbee, in addition to the aged, handicapped, and infirm. Whether I add light to a dark interior or design a beautiful and healthy working space, I make a difference in the lives of others. 3. I am continually learning and seeking answers. I take continuing education courses, discuss problems with my peers and research materials. I know that the profession is evolving, and I am evolving with it. 4. I don't settle for the tried and true. I push boundaries and discover new and better ways of doing things. 5. I provide a service. I work with clients who typically have little to no experience in design, and I find a way to turn their ideas into a tangible reality. 6. I pay attention to details. Whether I'm picking which carpet to use in a hotel hallway or what color to paint a hospital wall, I make each seemingly small decision count for the client's health and happiness. 7. I explore what sustainable design can mean in the home and workplace. I'm debunking myths and testing new products, and I'm saving clients money along the way. 8. I'm a problem solver. Each project I work on is a new puzzle with a new set of challenges. As the designer, I'm in charge of making it work. 9. I'm a collaborator. I've learned the value and benefits of teamwork, and how to process and connect disparate ideas into a working whole. Even if I work alone, I'm never really working alone. I have a network of peers that I turn to for advice and support along the way. 10. I become your agent to deal with local building depatments and licensed contractors. I have the expertise to handle all of these different players, whereas you may not, or may not have the time or inclination.