Online Interior Design students experience the heights of London’s interiors scene
21 October 2024
The group at sketch. Photo credit: Ivana Cicchelli
Members of Falmouth’s online Interior Design community explored some of London’s most vibrant interiors during a recent in-person event.
Across two days in the capital, a big group of students and staff from Interior Design BA (Online) met up for an array of exciting and exclusive activities, starting with a visit to Decorex, a leading international interiors trade show held at Olympia London. Celebrating the industry’s trailblazers, Decorex showcases an extensive range of leading brands and designers, each presenting their newest collections of furniture, fabric, lighting, decorative craft and contemporary art.
Following their time at Decorex, the group experienced a private dining space at Ave Mario, a B-Corp certified Italian restaurant with a bold and brash, in-your-face interior in Covent Garden, where they spent the evening soaking up design inspiration.
The second day kicked off early with a second restaurant visit, this time to the Instagram-famous sketch London. Located just off Oxford Circus, sketch is renowned for its vibrant and trendsetting interiors, around which the group were given a private tour by the restaurant’s Art Curator, followed by tea and pastries in the restaurant.
Further inspiration followed as the group made a studio visit to Conran and Partners, an internationally renowned architecture and interior design practice founded by Sir Terence Conran. Associates Meredith Hull and Simone Bettoli shared their diverse career paths following their architecture degrees – covering architecture, interior design, marketing, and communications – and gave the students a glimpse into one of the latest workplace projects. The Conran and Partners team commented: "It was refreshing to see passionate young designers asking questions about the commercial interiors industry, not only from a design perspective but also from a commercial point."
Student Robyn Kronlund told us: “The Conran and Partners visit was a masterclass in clean modern design. We had an extremely interesting presentation about past and present projects, which made clear that the user is at the forefront of all their design projects.”
The trip rounded off with a visit to the Material Lab, a design resource studio and materials library established by UK-based specialists in ceramic and porcelain tile design. This was a highlight for student Lajeela Baseer, who told us: “The Material Lab was such an exciting space; we had the opportunity to explore a variety of materials and finishes, which has deepened my understanding of textures and applications.”
Deputy Course Leader Hannah Soulsby, who organised the trip, explained: “As we prepared for our inaugural live event in London, my foremost goal was to provide students with an experience that would not only inspire but also educate. Our Interior Design degree, with its focus on commercial design, emphasises the vital role of creating spaces that spark inspiration while driving foot traffic and ensuring lasting success. I carefully selected locations and industry professionals who are leaders in their fields, ensuring that our event would resonate with significance and influence in the realms of design and commerce.”
As well as providing an abundance of creative stimulation and industry insights, the in-person event was also a chance for the online Interior Design community to meet in person – for some, for the very first time – and to build on the relationships they have developed while studying together online.
Student Ivana Cicchelli told us: “These two days of events were genuinely enlightening, educational, and a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow students while sharing and exchanging experiences. I enjoyed every moment, as it struck a perfect balance between learning and enjoyment.”
Lajeela added: “Meeting everyone was a delightful experience. Although leaving my kids behind filled me with a bit of anxiety, I realised it was a decision worth making to experience the real world of design, and it was a trip filled with enriching moments that I’ll cherish for a long time.”
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