Commercial Designer Spotlight: Take 5 Commercial Interior Designer Aimee

Creating compelling and practical commercial environments is a form of art that demands creativity, foresight, and a profound comprehension of the client’s requirements. In this commercial designer spotlight, we had the pleasure of interviewing talented commercial fitout designer, Aimee Gray. Take 5 and delve into her journey, essential design elements, advice for other upcoming designers, and much more!

Aimee has accumulated over six years of experience in the design and build industry in the UK, with her expertise extending across a diverse array of projects, including education, workplace, commercial office fitouts, commercial hospitality shopfits, commercial retail fitouts, commercial wellness and beauty, commercial fitness and commercial medical spaces. 

Aimee enjoys bringing ideas and concepts to life, working closely with clients to achieve the right outcome, and witnessing the positive impact of a successful commercial fitout. Passionate about designing spaces that support health and wellbeing, she emphasises the importance of natural light, greenery, fresh air, and proper lighting and noise levels. Aimee believes in creating interiors that foster an emotional connection for those who use the space.

Aimee’s academic journey, marked by a BA(Hons) degree in Interior Design with Sustainability from Manchester Metropolitan University, underlines her commitment to excellence in the field. Starting only with Total Fitouts in mid 2024, Aimee has come in and shown off her commercial design skills and put Total Fitouts Newcastle on the map for commercial in-house design.

TFO: What made you gravitate towards commercial interior design vs other construction industry work?

A: I have always worked in commercial design & build in the UK so don’t think I could do anything else now! I enjoy the pace and drive you have to have working in this industry & often working on commercial projects gives you the opportunity to work on a variety of fit outs and push the boundaries with the creative design. I have also enjoyed working on some large scale fit outs in the past and working alongside the client team can be rewarding and challenging in these situations. However, the sense of accomplishment you feel when a project is successfully completed, and the positive impact it has on both the people and the company, makes it all worthwhile.

Another element I enjoy is that in this industry, you are not only designing a great concept, you are also having to see it through from ‘concept to completion’. So everything you design needs to be practical. Working alongside project managers, contractors, joiners etc gives you the opportunity to collaborate and gain their knowledge on how to deliver the best outcome, whilst remaining true to the original design proposal.

TFO: What inspires your design work & do you have any favourite designers or influences?

A: My work is always inspired by the client or company I’m collaborating with, as well as their unique brand identity. I focus on understanding what they want to achieve in the space and the specific mood/ atmosphere they wish to create. The space itself can often inspire a design; are there any original features or anything positive you want to maximise? In terms of other influences, I would say going to design shows and keeping up with the latest products can inspire but also when you are out and about, it can also provide the best sources of inspiration.

TFO: What are your favourite industries to design (commercial hospitality, commercial retail etc.)?

A: Anything commercial and workplace related. I love it all!

TFO: How would you describe your design style if you have one?

A: I would say it’s extremely varied. The joy for me is creating something unique for each client and something with longevity.

TFO: What key elements do you believe are essential in a successful commercial design?

A: Getting a clear brief can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s absolutely crucial for understanding the client’s non-negotiables and “nice to haves.” Teamwork is essential; as a commercial designer, you can’t be expected to know everything inside and out, so you must be prepared to ask if you’re unsure. Working alongside architectural technicians, contractors, and project managers is a MUST. Finally, developing a thick skin is important in this challenging industry. Over time, you learn to handle criticism better, although it’s natural to feel protective over your work given the effort you invest in it.

TFO: Are there any particular challenges you’ve faced in your previous projects, and how did you overcome them?

A: There are many challenges, including working with challenging clients. It’s important to build a good relationship with them, be open to their suggestions, and help them understand the value of the commercial design. Tight budgets within a commercial fitout can be disheartening, but you learn to prioritise, allocating funds where they will provide real value in certain design features while cutting back in other areas.

TFO: How do you approach working with clients to ensure their vision is brought to life?

A: I just make sure we work as a collaborative team, be approachable and open to a client’s ideas and requirements. Working through the process and holding regular design meetings with a set of drawings in front you is very valuable so everyone understands exactly what they are getting.

TFO: What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of commercial design?

A: I would say to definitely get some work experience, I went to work with a small commercial fit out company after university and it really helped me gain some knowledge and then was lucky enough to secure a position with a company willing to let me develop and grow with their support. I would say that I find the industry can be very ‘sink or swim’ with new graduates and sometimes can lack the support they need. Learning in University is very different to actually working in the industry and being involved in live projects, so any experience you can get is valuable.

TFO: What current trends do you see in commercial design, and how do you incorporate them into your work?

A: There’s a lot of discussion on designing for inclusivity, accessibility, and neurodiversity. These considerations should be embedded in the commercial design process from the outset to ensure spaces are universally accessible and comfortable for everyone. Designing for health and wellbeing is also crucial; spaces should promote wellness and comfort, reconnecting people with the natural environment. This can be achieved by incorporating natural light, airflow, acoustics, greenery, natural tactile materials, and colour palettes influenced by nature.

Sustainability is another essential aspect, as everyone has a responsibility to improve our environment. In the commercial design process, considerations like designing out waste, thinking about the life cycle of products, and choosing environmentally conscious materials are important. Additionally, designing for flexibility allows spaces to adapt to future requirements, further enhancing their sustainability.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

TFO: Fun fact about yourself?

A: I love the Block!

TFO: Working digital or hand drawing?

A: Digital

TFO: Best and worst commercial interior design trend?

A: I would have to say the best is Biophilic, I love a plant! Worst is throw away furniture. 

TFO: What is coming up (that you can tell us)?

A: Exciting times in Total Fitouts Newcastle currently. There is a varied range of projects including a beauty lounge, workplace fit out and some hospitality venues!

Learn more about Total Fitouts expert commercial designs here.

Whether you’re a designer interested in being featured in Commercial Designer Spotlight or you’re searching for your next dream design to fitout project, we invite you to reach out to Total Fitouts and contact us here to explore exciting opportunities and collaborations.