For my community connection project, I emailed one of my biggest inspirations of Interior design Elizabeth Metcalfe.

Here are the records of our conversation…

Good morning Ms.Metcalfe   

I am Elandi a grade 9 student from Riverside secondary school. We are doing a community connection project where we must interview somebody who is working on the course that we are passionate about. I moved to Canada, BC, to Port Coquitlam in 2020 and I have always been interested in interior design. I saw your work and I think it is just the perfect balance between classicism and modern silhouettes. The quality and the beauty of your work inspire me so much. Your design style is so luxurious yet it has that comfortable feeling.  

  

I was wondering if you could answer the following questions:  

  

1) Can you explain your roles and responsibilities with your current position?  

2) Why are you passionate about your job or role?  

3)What first got you into your job or role?  

4) What obstacles have you faced to get where you are today?  

5) What advice could you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?  

6) Who/what are your biggest inspiration for your design?  

  

Thank you for your time!  

Sincerely Elandi  

 

Which she responded…

 

Hi Elandi

I’m so happy that you are interested in pursuing a career in interior design! I hope my answers help your assignment!

 

1. I am the Principal/Owner of EMDesign. My role includes working with a team of four senior designers and a project coordinator. As the owner, I must adapt to a variety of roles from management, accounting, marketing, delegating and ensure that there is enough time to do what I love the most – design.

2. It’s amazing to be able to have a career that you are truly passionate about. I can’t remember a time I didn’t love creativity, art, and design. The ability to create beauty and witness how great design enhances your client’s life is truly awarding. The search, the challenge, the love, the frustration are all part of my everyday life but being able to express my creativity is ultimately very rewarding.

3. I was always very good at art in public school and was lucky to be selected to attend an advanced art-based secondary school. I went on to develop my skill as a graphic designer and photographer and worked at an advertising studio for many years before I left to raise a family. At the age of forty, I went back to college to become an interior designer. It was a wonderful decision and am I very thankful that I had the opportunity to pursue my dream.

4. There are always obstacles and challenges, but what is most important, is to embrace them, learn from them, and move forward. It was difficult starting my own business, and it took a number of years before I had the experience and confidence to move from a small home-based company to become the owner of a design studio based in Toronto’s Design District and be recognized for excellence in the field of design.

5. Read as much as you can. My advice to students entering college or university is to buy a design book every month and read it cover to cover. As a young student, you might start by buying a magazine or researching design accounts on Instagram. Knowledge is what separates a good designer from a great designer. Dream big. Be curious. Investigate. Take notes. Keep your eyes open to everything around you. If you would like my list of design books and Instagram I will send them to you.

6. Travel is my greatest inspiration. The world of design opens many doors. I’ve been extremely fortunate to travel to some of the world’s best art galleries, hotels, historical homes, museums, and famous gardens. I enjoy learning about artists, fashion designers, architects, and other interior designers. Everything around you has been designed by someone- from the bed that you wake up in, to the box of cereal you eat in the morning- even the bowl and spoon that you use. Your home where you live, the wall covering on the walls, the car in your driveway, the computer you use…. everything is the work of someone creative. Examine items; be aware of nature; the feeling that space evokes. Experiment with color, shape, and texture. Have fun. Doodle. Dream. Design. Never give up.

 

The best advice is to be authentic. Believe in yourself. Dream big dreams Never settle for average, fine, mediocre. If you do that, you will be successful in whatever field you decide to follow.

Wishing you a full life ahead!

Kindest regards,

Liz

 

Then I thanked her and told her how much I appreciate her work and how big of an inspiration she is to me.

 

List of design book recommendations by Ms.Elizabeth:

Her website is if you want to know more about her and her business: www. emdesign.com

 

I learned so much from her and I hope you can too!

 

Thank you for reading my post!!