Interior Design Course Tutors

Evette Annandale

Evette Annandale’s love of design was shaped and matured within the walls of the Inscape Education Group where she obtained a bachelor of design. Here, she first learned about insatiable curiosity and what design thinking means in all aspects of life.

Her career saw her become a well rounded interior designer, gaining experience in residential, hospitality, commercial and retail design.

The philosophy of being a creative problem solver enabled her to first become an established freelancer and eventually ensured that Annandale Design could take flight.

Evette's company specializes in conceptual, retail and office design, taking pride in high level technical details merging effortlessly with art and design. She is always inspired to create spaces of high quality that are authentic and loyal to each client and brief. More recently, Evette launched a connective hub and sourcing platform called Design Central, which people can use to create beautiful homes.

Evette is also a registered professional interior designer and professional architectural draftsperson with her local authorities (IID & SACAP).

Design Central

@designcentral.co.za

@annandaledesign

Get to Know Evette

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into interior design?

I have always had a creative nature, drawn to art, music, dance and theater. When it came down to choosing a career path there were many forks in the road and options to consider. Would I take to theater ? Would I study fashion or multimedia? With so many questions, I found there was an undeniable excitement when I thought about interior design and the opportunity it presents to see your imagination come to life - to walk through and interact with your ideas.

What inspired you to become an interior design tutor?

Joy shared is joy multiplied. I had wonderful mentors as a young designer and jumped at the opportunity to help like-minded creatives fall in love with this beautiful, ever-changing industry.

What are some essential skills or qualities that every interior designer should possess?

Curiosity, Patience, empathy and time-management.

Interior design evolves, repeats, and refreshes constantly. If you remain curious of the people and world around you, inspiration follows. Even if a trend doesn't sit well with your taste, explore the nuances of it with curiosity rather than judgment. Learn to ask more questions. Questions provoke the mind to find an answer.

We plan to execute our designs to the best of our abilities, but projects don't always go the way we wish. Practise patience. With yourself, your clients and contractors. We work with people who have dreams, expectations and desires and we need to find a balance between the dream and the reality and manage it accordingly.

What are some favorite projects you have worked on?

I have been fortunate to work on projects such as beautiful hotel developments in Ethiopia to smaller scale boutique coffee shops. My passion lies in working with brands, understanding the character and persona of the brand and translating that into the built-environment. One of my favorite projects to date has to be Montego dog food. Their offices had to embody a culture of home, being a family run business and their aesthetic was a joy to implement.

What is your teaching philosophy when it comes to interior design?

Share freely. Discuss openly. Interior design can feel very subjective at times, but learning the fundamentals of it is not. If one keeps an open mind and teachable spirit, the direction given will lead to improvement.

What are some key skills and knowledge areas you focus on in your courses?

Key skills I focus on are technical acuity and people skills. Understanding people, taking a brief, interpreting a brief and accurately translating that into a design is a wonderful skill to hone.

How would you describe your design style and where do you draw inspiration from?

When I work with clients, their brand dictates the style we incorporate. I find inspiration in immersion. Getting to know my clients well, understanding their ethos and values and the image they want to portray.

Who are your biggest influences in the field of interior design?

Iris Apfel! Her style whether interiors or fashion - the textures, patterns and color are all divine. Her determination and drive - what a legacy!

What is your favorite part about being a tutor?

The wonderful interaction with like minded creatives around the world! It is wonderful to see how different minds solve the design problems. It enriches my every day!

What advice would you give to new students?

Stay coachable and open-minded and have fun! You truly don't have to be perfect right from the start (or ever)! Allow yourself room to make mistakes, because then you won't be afraid to try. You enrolled to learn, to grow and engage. We truly have your best interest at heart and hope that you have fun while also getting the best education, learning from our experience.

Evette's Interior Design Projects

Image source: Evette Annandale from @annandaledesign.

This interior design course has been everything I could have wanted for my future in interior design. It has equipped me with the skills I need to move forward in this field with confidence. It was informative and hands-on all at the same time.

Sydney Brown

Vineyard

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