EL Questionnaire 2021

Name: Margaret Gammill
Company: Shepley Bulfinch
Concentration: Interior Architecture
College/University: Boston Architectural College
Year(s) of Graduation: 2017

What is your strongest personal quality?: My unparalleled humility! Just kidding, my sense of humor. 
What is your strongest professional skillset?: I love a good puzzle, especially when it comes to finding smart solutions and communicating ideas as clearly and compellingly as possible.
Why did you choose to become an Interior Designer?: I wanted a job where I could use creativity to connect with others.
How would you describe your personal style?: (Why is this question so hard for me to answer?) Maybe something like your groovy grandmother discovered Marie Kondo? I’m a sucker for clean silhouettes, layered textures, and pieces and spaces that feel like they have a story to tell.
What three things do you most geek out on?: Crossword Puzzles, Color, and Podcasts 
What are you looking forward to as an IIDA Emerging Leader?: I’m really looking forward to learning about more about DEI in the design industry and ways we can build and sustain momentum to make this a more equitable and inclusive field on both an individual and a systemic level.
What has been your go-to for de-stressing this year?: Playing with my two kids. (Fun fact: this can also induce stress at times!) But my two year-old is so good at reminding me of the value of being present, celebrating life’s little pleasures, and making time to get some fresh air. 
What Advice do you have for designer students graduating?: Ask lots of questions! It benefits everyone, and no one expects you to have graduated knowing everything. What lessons have other people learned? What isn’t clear to a newcomer that might get overlooked by a more experienced professional?
What is your favorite annual IIDA event?: Fashion show, of course! 
How would you explain the difference between a professional Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator to a stranger?: For starters, they’re both important roles that can really transform a space! But I think when it comes down to it, interior decoration is a subset of the skills/work that falls under the broader umbrella of Interior Design. I often think about the distinction in terms of project phases: interior decoration happens at the end of a project, and functions within pre-determined architectural confines. Interior design applies to all phases of the design process, from initial programming all the way to Construction Administration, ideally in tandem/conversation with all architectural design goals and decisions. 

1.       Ask lots of questions! It benefits everyone, and no one expects you to have graduated knowing everything. What lessons have other people learned? What isn’t clear to a newcomer that might get overlooked by a more experienced professional?