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How a work placement made my interior design dreams come true

Buba at work
Buba at work

Ever since I decided I wanted to study interior design I have been dreaming of the moment when I would be able to go out in the world and actually work as a designer. To my surprise I got this chance in my second year at Cardiff Met thanks to a work placement!

I decided that the best thing to do for my Field project would be a month-long work placement. This would give me the chance to experience what it is really like to work in the Interior Design industry.

The whole process of securing a work placement is hard, and it’s easy for people to feel like giving up if they are getting turned down. One thing that can help is keeping your goal in mind – you are doing this in order to gain experience and boost your CV, so keep going!

Buba at work
I learned so much on my placement.

When I was looking I decided to apply to one particular firm – IDEA – who I have looked up to for years. I applied almost as a joke – I didn’t expect them to take me on because they are a very famous firm with clients all over the world, and the owner is a public figure in Bulgaria who I have been a big fan of for years.

Well what started as a joke turned out to be my dream come true. I was going to work at the firm which had designed one of the most famous clubs in London – DSTRKT – and has projects in Russia, Germany and even Australia.

, How a work placement made my interior design dreams come true, CARDIFF MET BLOG
I had to learn a whole new set of skills – and fast!

My first day at the firm was a stressful roller-coaster. When I started I thought I knew a lot about interior design, but compared to the people in the studio I knew nothing. They were using software which I had never seen in my life and talking about furniture companies and suppliers which I had never heard of.  

They seemed capable of finishing any task given to them, no matter if it was an engineering, architecture or creative interior design job. Working side by side with people like this can teach you a lot about yourself and boost your confidence.

, How a work placement made my interior design dreams come true, CARDIFF MET BLOG
It was great to get out on-site and see design concepts coming to life.

I can honestly say that my time on placement was one of the best opportunities I have been given in my life. I became friends with the team, and although I was star struck by my boss at the beginning, in time I realized that he is just a humble person who has worked really hard to get where he is now. He’s become an even bigger inspiration for me.

I was lucky to get a spot at a firm which gave me a lot of opportunities even though I was inexperienced. During my time there I had meetings with clients and the chance to work on my own projects. I did some engineering, product design and even architecture work in addition to everything I did connected to interior design.

, How a work placement made my interior design dreams come true, CARDIFF MET BLOG
It was great to be able to work on real projects during my placement.

Now I know how to multitask and work faster. I’ve learned more about myself and my subject in a month working in the industry than I could have dreamt of, and it has taken my work to another level.

I would recommend taking on a work placement to students in any field of work – it can open up a whole new world for you and prepare you for what is to come.