In order to forge a successful career in interior design, student designers must learn to bridge the gap between training and practice
SBID has partnered with the KLC School of Design Industry Mentoring Programme. The programme is built around the idea that students benefit from understanding how a studio functions and operates before engaging in work.
By supporting students to oversee some of the key activities in a studio and to understand roles and practices they can be better prepared for placement opportunities or employment.
The Industry Mentoring Programme is designed to be flexible and easy for studios to support. During the mentoring, employers aren’t asked to find work for the students. Instead, employers give students the opportunity to observe their day-to-day work through activities already taking place.
How Does KLC Student Mentoring Work?
Mentoring supports the next generation of interior designers and advances the alignment from education into the workplace.
We recommend students are given the opportunity to observe 4-5 business activities. These can include but are not limited to a;
- Tour of the studio; meet staff and understand roles
- Client meeting; gain understanding of client interactions
- Consultant meeting; explore professional collaborations
- Site visit; see relationship between design and construction
- Design discussion within the studio
- FF&E discussion related to a project
- Project management meeting
Benefits of participating as a Mentor include;
- Engagement qualifies for 6 x CPD points from SBID.
- Opportunity to connect with students and network with other practices during the launch event.
- A chance to meet emerging talent, which can be useful when considering future recruitment.
- Support the next generation of designers and gain insight into what students are currently learning at KLC.
- Reflect upon and articulate what they believe to be the most important aspects of their business practice.
To find out more or discuss how you can get involved, please contact Ieva Kelpsaite, Professional Practice Coordinator; ieva.kelpsaite@westdean.ac.uk
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