Excellence in interior design takes center stage at the 2024 Graduates of the Year Awards (GOTYA), a prestigious event orchestrated by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA). This esteemed recognition program shines a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of emerging designers from Australian tertiary institutions and DIA-affiliated organisations.
At The Interior Design Institute (IDI), we beam with pride as our students showcase their exceptional abilities and unwavering dedication through GOTYA nominations. These accolades not only celebrate individual talent but also underscore our commitment to nurturing the next generation of design innovators. We equip our students with a robust toolkit of skills and knowledge, empowering them to carve successful paths in the competitive world of interior design.
Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to one of our outstanding nominees, Jacqueline Robinson. In this exclusive interview series, we delve deep into the creative minds of our talented students, exploring the passions that fuel their work, the inspirations that spark their imagination, and the groundbreaking projects that earned them GOTYA nominations.
Join us on an inspiring journey as we uncover Jacqueline's unique design philosophy, her remarkable creative process, and the exceptional work that caught the eye of the GOTYA judges. Through her story, witness firsthand how the GOTYA serves as a platform for emerging designers to showcase their innovative spirit and set new benchmarks for excellence in the industry.
Image source: Graduated #IDIstudent Jacqueline Robinson from @greenterior.design
Hi, I’m Jacqui, the owner of Greenterior Design and a recent graduate from The Interior Design Institute.
I have always had a passion for all things art, design and sustainability. I was at a crossroads in my life, and after years of working in business operations I felt like I needed to nurture the creative parts of my brain. Interior Design was the perfect marriage of my three biggest passions, coupled with my previous work experience.
My work is based around human centric design. In a previous life, I worked in the health sector, and this deep rooted need to improve the wellbeing of others has seeped into my design work. The ways in which we interact with our environment has such an impact on how our bodies function, so it is important to tailor spaces to each unique individual, so that they can truly thrive.
Outside of considering how the client will be interacting with the space and taking their emotional wellbeing into account, I always seek to tie my designs back into the natural landscape that the space occupies.
I’m lucky enough to have a large office which looks out over a beautiful eucalypt reserve. If I step out onto our deck, I’m surrounded by native birds and trees, and I find it really grounding.
Spending time with my people, outdoors, having laughs and creating precious memories together. I live life in a very child-like way and I believe that play, and imagination are some of the most important assets we have, and that these often get lost as we age.
Incredibly so! Working with Australian businesses and artists outside of my local region has been made so much easier through connection online.
This is an incredible honour, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without the support of my tutor and the whole IDI team. I have felt so cared for along the course of completing this Diploma, and I feel like I have been truly set up for success.
I’d like to hope so! If anything, I’d hope that it can help me form connections with individuals in the industry so I can continue to learn and develop as a designer. We all have so much to give to one another as we each bring unique experiences to our work and to the designs we create.
The first project I used was “Canopy”, which is a fully custom walk-in wardrobe design, utilising floor to ceiling joinery. I wanted this to be a lush haven, and a place to focus on the feelings of being truly at self-peace with one’s appearance. I absolutely adore the wallpaper that I’ve carried up to the ceiling, which makes the whole space feel more intimate.
The second project is New Beginnings, a complete redesign of a townhouse for a single parent with two growing children. I wanted there to be ample areas for the family unit to come together, but to also create small sanctuaries for each individual to thrive in their own space. The overall palette is moody, but playful and there are lots of quirky elements to each room.
The final project is DesigNook, which is an office fit out for a small business in the design industry. The design itself is biophilic, with a focus on indigenous artwork and natural and sustainable elements. I wanted the entryway and informal meeting area to mimic that of a gum forest, so that the clients of the studio would feel the same sense of calm and security while interacting with the space.
Image source: Projects by Graduated #IDIstudent Jacqueline Robinson from @greenterior.design
Spending time outdoors – camping, hiking, swimming – Get me out there!
Green.
Green Magazine.
Pampa Rugs @wearepampa, Nood Co @nood_co, Tjanpi Desert Weavers @tjanpidesertweavers.
Enscape for rendering with SketchUp, and Programa for Project Management.
Michele Morcos @tinytrappings.
Bringing outside inside.
The flexibility of self-paced, online study was perfect for me, as I was working full time while I completed the Diploma. The Australian and international accreditations and links to the Design Institute of Australia were also huge draw cards for me.
I adored learning Sketch-Up and 3D rendering, as I found it so satisfying seeing my concepts come to life. I also loved the perspective hand drawing. It’s great getting back to basics, and there is something incredibly charming about showing a client a hand drawn representation of their new space.
Create a study plan for yourself, dedicating time each week and setting your own due dates, so that you can keep on track with the self paced learning. Each module is different in length, so it can be easy to get bogged down in the longer modules, but don’t let it dishearten you, often a longer module will have a shorter one following it. Above all, make sure you’re kind to yourself through the process as well, and reach out to other students and graduates in the Facebook group – it’s such a lovely group and so supportive!
Yes! I’ve been working in furniture and interior fit outs across both residential and commercial spaces, supporting architects and builders. I’ve also launched my own business Greenterior Design, which focuses on creating beautiful, conscious spaces, for people who want stunning homes, but not at the cost of the earth.
Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn, or you can follow me at @greenterior.design.
Embark on a journey into the world of interior design, inspired by the remarkable path of Jacqueline. Her story is a testament to the power of dedication and educational excellence in shaping successful careers in this dynamic field.
At The Interior Design Institute, we've crafted a curriculum that goes beyond the basics. Our accredited course is your gateway to acquiring not just knowledge, but the confidence and expertise essential for thriving in the competitive design industry. We're not just teaching design; we're nurturing future leaders and innovators.
The interior design world is waiting for fresh talent and innovative ideas. Will you answer the call? Take the first step towards understanding your potential and advancing your career. Your journey to excellence in interior design begins at IDI.
Seize this opportunity to shape your future. Enrol in our online interior design course today and start crafting the career you've always dreamed of. The next success story we share could be yours.
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