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Joyce O’Keefe, director of the School of Interior Design at the International Academy of Design & Technology, says the challenging aspect of interior design is staying abreast of the industry.
Name: Joyce O’Keefe
Years of Experience: Interior Design Profession — 28 years; Education — 14 years
Occupation: Director of the School of Interior Design, The International Academy of Design & Technology
Q: How did you get started in your profession?Â
A: I attended the University of Manitoba’s four-year Bachelor of Interior Design Program, and like many others, headed to Montreal. It was 1967, the year of Expo and design was happening! I worked for various companies before co-founding a design firm in Toronto working in the corporate office sector for 15 years. In the ’90s, I turned to teaching with the desire to give back knowledge to the future designers of our profession.
Q: What are the ideal qualities a person should have to succeed in your profession?Â
A: There are so many aspects to our work. People skills, team work, and meeting deadlines, combined with creative ability and technical skills. You never stop learning and honing your skills. Attention to detail and a great desire to make our built environments better, safer, more eco-friendly and inclusive are tops.  Â
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: To see the development of young designers from their initial term to the amazing projects they produce as seniors, and as they graduate, to hear success stories from alumni. I also enjoy revising and improving the curriculum to ensure it is current and attuned to the industry. Â
Q: What are the most challenging aspects of your profession?
A: The most challenging aspect of this profession is staying abreast of the rapid changes in materials, technology, codes and regulations and business development — knowing your target market. Fortunately, ARIDO (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario) provides many seminars and courses for the graduate student to keep abreast of changes. Most designers will specialize in a sector of the industry such as residential, retail, commercial or hospitality, and will work with teams of their peers.Â
Q: For newcomers to the industry, what tips would you offer them on getting started in their career?  Â
A: Design criticism from your boss or a client is inevitable, and it is important for new graduates to remember it is not personal! Attending major design shows like IIDEX/Neocon and the Interior Design Show are important for learning about new products and networking with professionals and suppliers.Â
Q: What kind of local associations/organizations/volunteer activities would you recommend for people just starting out?
A: From post-secondary education to a career as a registered interior designer, ARIDO is the most important association. Students enrolled in an ARIDO-recognized education program can apply for a student membership in the association. It’s free and offers many opportunities for networking as well as educational seminars. After graduation, the next step is a three- or four-year intern membership. Once an intern has seven years of experience (combined education and internship), they are allowed to write the exam to become a registered interior designer.
