Some designers seem destined for their craft long before they ever claim the title. For Ronja Rupalla, interior design developed quietly alongside a successful career in tech — until creativity could no longer stay in the background. Today, Ronja is a Germany-based interior designer, founder of Studio Eight, and a recognised voice in the interior design industry, known for building both a growing studio and a large, engaged social media following.
We caught up with Ronja to talk about her journey from tech to interior design, what it takes to build a visible and influential career in the design industry, and how studying interior design online gave her the confidence and skills to turn a passion project into a full-time profession.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
I’m Ronja, 34, based in Germany. I originally studied business administration and spent several years in strategy and organisational development at a technology startup, where I also led several teams. Over time, I realised it wasn’t my true passion, and during parental leave, I trained as an interior designer. I never planned to turn it into a full-time career — but here we are. Today, interior design is my full-time focus.
I never had one clear dream job as a child, but I was always very creative. I used to sew my own clothes, constantly rearranged and redecorated my room, and loved making things myself. Beautiful objects and decoration have always fascinated me. At the time, I couldn’t really imagine creativity as a career, though I did toy with the idea of becoming a fashion designer. Looking back now, the signs of becoming an interior designer were clearly there.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
I wanted to better understand what truly makes a space work (beyond intuition) and learn how to design rooms in a more intentional and thoughtful way. The concrete trigger was planning our own house: I wanted to be deeply involved and know what to expect. Training as an interior designer felt like the best way to prepare, and it turned into much more than that.
I’d probably still be working in the tech world, doing something similar to my previous role and leading an organisational development team. I genuinely enjoyed that environment, it just wasn’t where my heart ultimately belonged.
Passionate, driven, thoughtful ( I asked my friends ;))
Building companies, making whipped butter, and searching for the best restaurants in every city (my husband hates me for this because we always end up spending way too much money on good food!).
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
There’s no typical day for me. Mornings start with coffee with my family, a long walk, and dropping my son off at kindergarten. I begin work with a focused creative task — like a mood board or content for a collaboration — before diving into emails. Lunch is non-negotiable, often followed by a workout. Afternoons are for interior design projects and team check-ins at Studio Eight. Evenings are family time, though I often end up working late (something I’m trying to change).
I need a lot of quiet time and space without input, no podcasts, no social media. Since my work involves being online a lot, my morning walks are essential for clearing my head and thinking creatively. Travel is another key ritual for me: changing environments and drawing inspiration from other cultures, restaurants, cafés, and landscapes.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
My design style is minimalist and purist, with a strong focus on visual calm. I believe spaces should evoke a feeling, most often a sense of calm and balance, unless the room is meant to spark creativity. My work is clean, natural, and rooted in honest materials, with a strong Scandinavian (danish) influence.
Yes, there are a few recurring elements that show up in almost all of our projects. Concrete floors and a strong presence of wooden furniture are key features, and rice paper lamps in various forms have become a signature piece for both Studio Eight and my personal style.
I don’t really chase trends, my work aims to feel timeless, especially when it comes to furniture and core pieces. I try to stay true to a consistent design language rather than what’s ‘in’ right now. That said, I do get inspired by what I see on Pinterest and social media, and I’ll occasionally weave in a trend through smaller details, but always in a very subtle, pared-back way.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
My guiding philosophy is to create interiors that are sustainable, long-lasting, and designed with future development in mind — not just a single moment in time. While we have a clear design language, we never impose it on our clients. The space has to work for the people who live with it every day. Our role is to guide and shape, but the client always remains at the centre.
Getting to spend my days immersed in creative work & having interior design as my profession when it used to be my hobby, makes me incredibly happy. Plus seeing a space come together and receiving positive feedback from clients is especially rewarding.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
I chose IDI because the program immediately appealed to me — especially the option to study fully online and at my own pace. The curriculum also sounded very comprehensive, which was exactly what I was looking for.
My favourite part was the flexibility. I could adapt the course to my lifestyle and workload and work on it whenever it suited me — which was much easier to combine with everything else I had going on.
Don’t overthink whether it will fit into your everyday life, even alongside a full-time job or family. You will find a way to make it work. Just start, and you’ll naturally figure out a rhythm that suits you.
The course gave me the commitment to take it seriously to aim for the top tier and work on real client projects. Most importantly, it gave me the knowledge and confidence to actually execute and deliver, not just dream about it.
Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Ronja Rupalla.
We’re currently working on several new-build projects, which are incredibly exciting — and at the same time, we’re developing co-creations for various furniture pieces.
It’s truly amazing what can happen when you give yourself the chance to work on your passion. It definitely takes courage, for me, it meant stepping far outside my comfort zone — but you have to take that leap. And if you do, it’s incredibly rewarding to build a life and career around what you genuinely love.
Ronja’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to realign your career with your creativity — and that studying interior design online can open doors you never expected.
If you’re drawn to thoughtful, timeless interiors and want the flexibility to study at your own pace, consider studying online with us! Your own design story could be just beginning.
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