How did you make the decision to work in design?

My interest in design actually came from being a huge F1 and car fanatic. I was really intrigued with the way cars are crafted and from that I realised that design is everywhere, from technology to specialist products, and that without it nothing would be possible. I then became interested in the way spaces are designed, especially how to harness textures and materiality to create environments that get people really excited. I decided to pursue my studies in Interior Design, and it was during my course I found out that I excel in 3D modelling and rendering, so I naturally chose the path of visualisation.

Tell us about your role at JOLIE? 

I am the CGI artist at JOLIE. Once the designers have conceptualised a design, I create the visuals to develop their concept so clients can fully see and understand how the space will work and feel. I love being able to hype people up by creating powerful visuals which get people enthusiastic about spaces that haven’t even been created yet. 

How does the JOLIE approach feel different from other studios you have worked with?

I think the thing that makes JOLIE stand out for me is the close knit relationship of the team. Having such good personal dynamics makes it easy for us to work cohesively, and the process of creating the visuals is always seamless because of it. After working at a large scale architectural firm previously, I can see how the comfortable way the team engages positively affects our results. I can be honest and have my input on the way things are designed, and it’s definitely nice to have that back and forth.

If you hadn’t started working in ID, where do you think life would have taken you?

If not for becoming a 3D artist for interiors, I definitely would have been a F1 driver, haha! And if by the slim chance that didn’t pan out…I would have loved to be involved in automotive design or Aerospace engineering for an F1 team. However, since maths was never my strong suit, I’d say automotive design is the most likely option!

What is your favourite JOLIE memory?

There’s a lot to choose from, but I’d have to say my first interview with my colleagues Franky, Michelle and Sarah is something I’ll always remember. The Manchester studio space is so elegant, I walked in the door and immediately thought wow, what an incredible space! The colours really created a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere and I instantly thought I’d love to work in this environment. Everyone was really welcoming, especially our architect Zac who said ‘nice to meet you dude’ at the exact same time as me, which gave us a laugh straight off the bat. I knew that JOLIE was my sort of vibe straight away.

Which JOLIE project did you most enjoy working on?

I’m quite new to the team so I haven’t worked on as many projects as the rest of the team but working on the Trinity House space in Oxfordshire with our designer Emma was a personal favourite. She’s an exceptional Designer and we worked so easily together, it made the process really enjoyable. The visuals came out exceptional of course!

What would be your idea of a dream project or client?

This is an easy one for me…my dream project would be for McLaren to visualise a showroom for their cars, or even an exhibition for them showing their history in F1. That would be heaven.

Where do you find your inspiration and what are your biggest design influences?

I actually get my inspiration just walking down the streets of Manchester. I often find myself looking at buildings, especially the old ones and thinking about how I would model or texture it. After working in 3D for so long, sometimes I look at the world through a CGI filter, it’s really cool to see the world in a different perspective.

Can you think of a space that has had a profound experience on you as a result of the design?

I was lucky enough to travel to India when I was 12 with my family, and we visited ‘Lal Qila’ in Delhi, which translates to ‘Red Fort’. I was blown away by the sheer scale of the architecture and how much detail there was for a building that was created so long ago without any technology.

What’s the best place for afterwork drinks or food, and why do you recommend it?

Rudy’s Pizza, hands down. It’s phenomenal! If you see a sharp dressed Aussie demolishing a Calabrese at the Ancoats branch, odds are it’s me.

What advice would you give to anyone looking for a career in Interiors?

I would say it’s not a 9-5 job, you have to live and breathe it! Having a real passion for space, furniture, lighting and all the small details is really important. Some people have a misconception about Interior Design and think it’s easy but there’s actually so many intricacies and a lot of depth to it. That being said, if you have the passion and natural talent you will succeed and be brilliant! 

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