Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to hold a workshop at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) for Year 10 students, thanks to an invitation from the Southern Universities Network (SUN) and Dorset Careers Hub. The aim was to introduce them to a career path they may not have previously considered—Interior Design.
What is SUN and How Do They Support Students?
SUN, through its Uni Connect Programme, has been supporting young people in accessing higher education since its launch in January 2020. The initiative is particularly focused on students from areas with low progression rates, providing impartial guidance on various post-16 pathways, including apprenticeships and university degrees.
In a post-pandemic world, their work has become even more vital, as students face increasing uncertainty about their future career prospects. By collaborating with local universities, colleges, and businesses, SUN helps align education with local skills needs, ensuring young people have the information and confidence to take their next steps.
My Journey into Interior Design
The workshop started with me sharing my own career journey, which was far from a straight path. After college, I worked in retail before deciding to take a short course in interior design. That course led me to a job as a kitchen designer, which ignited my passion for the industry and inspired me to aim higher. I then enrolled at AUB to study Interior Architecture and Design.
Like many students, I faced challenges along the way—COVID-19 hit during my studies, disrupting the traditional learning experience. But after graduating, I saw an opportunity: it was the perfect time to start my own business. aIDyl is now a year old, and I’ve been fortunate to work on various residential projects, even expanding into international work.
What the Students Worked On
One of the biggest misconceptions about Interior Design is that it’s all about “fluffy cushions and picking out nice sofas.” In reality, the industry is vast, covering areas such as lighting design, space planning, materials and finishes, and project management.
To give the students a hands-on experience, I set them a real-world challenge: designing a café based on a live brief from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They worked in teams of five, with each student taking on a specific role:
• Fabric Specialist – Selected fabrics and textures for the space.
• Colour Consultant – Developed a cohesive colour scheme.
• Lighting Designer – Researched and planned lighting solutions.
• Space Planner – Created a functional furniture layout using scale drawings.
• Project Manager – Oversaw the project, ensuring collaboration and keeping the team on track.
Armed with fabric samples, magazines, mood boards, and scaled furniture plans, the students got creative—problem-solving, collaborating, and thinking like real designers.
The workshop was a huge success, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was inspiring to see the students engage with the challenge, discovering new skills and interests along the way.
SUN’s work in providing opportunities like this is invaluable. When I was in school, I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I wish I’d had access to initiatives like this to help guide me. It’s experiences like these that can spark inspiration and shape futures.
A huge thank you to SUN and Dorset Careers Hub for inviting me—I can’t wait to get involved in more projects like this in the future!
If you’re interested in collaborating on something similar, feel free to get in touch at info@aidyl.co.uk.