In the spotlight is Roger Wilson, interior designer and architectural specifier at The Design Studio in Moira, Co Armagh
What’s your job?
Interior Designer and Architectural Specifier
How did you get there?
My early career was a million miles away from what I now do – I started out working as an assistant production manager for the family business, Island Dairies. After that I owned and ran a local convenience store in Culcavy, before securing an HND and a BA (Hons).
I started my design career in Knox Clayton Architects where I was tasked with recreating interior spaces in old buildings – great fun and often very challenging. It was this role that drove me to pursue my current career path, taking the plunge and following my dreams, back to college and university as a mature student, and finally to opening my new design studio.
You have combined two skill sets to create your job – what made to decide to do this?
I always enjoyed design and really love home comforts and sumptuous surroundings but my experience with Knox Clayton really confirmed that I wanted to work in design – especially in architectural design – this is what drove me to attend university a little later in life. I decided that there was great merit in offering these two skill sets as one, hence interior designer and architectural specifier.
Do you have a typical working day?
No day is the same, opening hours at the studio are 10am – 5pm, however my working hours are much more than that. Typically I start with calls between 8am – 9am but I can be visiting clients, responding to emails and creating spaces well into the wee small hours.
I also manage Flatfield House B&B with my mother. The guest house is located in the same grounds as the design studio so multi-tasking is required. Depending on bookings I can be working late or early looking after our guests and making sure their stay is perfect.
What qualifications do you have?
I have an HND in 3D Spatial Design from the Belfast Met. I loved it so much and discovered a real flair for freehand architectural drawing that I was encouraged to take this qualification further. I then studied Interior Architectural Design at Nottingham Trent.
What other skills do you need in your role?
Passion, creativity, patience, multi-tasking, and an eye for the unexpected. People skills are vitally important too – I need to be able to connect with my clients in order to really understand and bring to life their hopes and dreams.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Job satisfaction – I love my work and I love seeing a project come to fruition – it’s extremely rewarding seeing clients react in a positive way to the space you have created for them.
And the worst?
Something I have no control over, such as fabrics being discontinued that a client has already set their heart on or long waiting lists which may delay a project. It can be frustrating.
What do you think are the greatest challenges/pressures of the job?
I’m constantly juggling a lot of things at once which can be stressful and time management can be a challenge, especially when clients expect to see you out of working hours but the truth is I don’t really have any complaints and I thrive on a little bit of pressure.
What did you want to be when you were at school?
I was always ‘doodling’ from a young age so I think I was destined to go into design.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in your profession?
Be prepared for the long hours, if you are working with private clients you must be prepared to see them outside of their working hours. LISTEN to your clients wishes, tease out their ideas and incorporate them with your knowledge of design – you must be willing to adapt your ideas to suit their needs – not the other way round.
What’s the most common question people ask when they find out what you do?
What do you think I should do with my house, living room, office, garage, bathroom etc etc.
How do you like to relax outside work?
I love to garden, sail and read, and I’m a bit of a rugby fanatic – watching, not playing any more. I also confess to enjoying a bit of amateur photography, but one of my favourite pass-times is whiling away the hours with a good coffee and my favourite interiors magazines – pure bliss.
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