This year the theme was “1930’s Gangsters” and we started our day nice and early was breakfast at Steve’s hotel in Nedlands (delicious!), then we did an “Amazing Race” around Perth City using GPS equipment and clues organised for us by Red Balloon Events, we had a limo ride down to Cottesloe beach in the afternoon followed by a late lunch at Black Tom’s restaurant in West Perth and finished up (as usual) at Hit Studio Kareoke in Northbridge.. by which time our throats were well lubricated from the various bottles of champagne we had enjoyed and ready for singing!
A couple of pictures to show you our silly day!

They say it will feel more like home. I don’t have plants inside at home most probably because I have visions of my Grandmother wasting afternoons wiping the dust off the leaves of her indoor plants with spry bottle and a blue chux cleaning cloth. The once glossy green leaves now smeared with evidence of a dusty residue and wipe marks.

They say ‘it’s bringing the outdoors in’ but I’m sorry you can have as many pot plants dotted around the place but nothing will ever be as good leaving one’s desk and actually taking a walk outside on a glorious spring day. Because it’s that relaxed atmosphere you’re really chasing, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the softness of a balmy breeze across your face and knowing that above you is the vastness of a huge endless blue azure sky. That’s being connected with nature. It’s not by looking up and seeing a green pot plant perched precariously amongst manila files of paperwork. This sad little plant with it’s soil so dry because someone keeps forgetting to water it that when ever its knocked it spread debris across your desk, another thing you will get around to cleaning up once you get through that growing mountain of filing…….

Now there is a new version of the indoor plant created for this century, these living walls. And many would argue the associated eco issues. But it still looks to me as if a florist has set up a stall in the back corner of your office.

We designers like things to look clean and considered, there is order, form and control. I’ve seen many examples of late where designers are trying to show that plants can have a place in the office. Formal rows of minimalist black rectangular planters filled with river stones and evenly spaced succulents and even I will say ‘yes’ it ticks the boxes in the looks department. but it only works because there is control. But this is a minimal zen look and within 5 years it will be considered passé and reflected back on as being a tell tale look of an era and in the end it will not satisfy those ardent pot plant loving staff that move among us. Usually those who plaster their workstations with motivational posters and pictures of cats……….oh alas that’s entirely another blog altogether………

I was always under the impression that to design in an environmentally sustainable way meant that what you took from the environment was replaced or offset such that the impact was neutral.  But the way the expression seems to be used in the design community doesn’t always reflect this.  Have I got it wrong or am I just being a pedantic, grumpy old git?

Q.How many years have you worked in the creative industry?

A.11 years

Q. Is your work full time or just part-time?

A. As I have 2 small children under the age of 3 so I presently work 4 full days per week and have Friday’s off.

Q. Do you usually work alone or in a collaborative group?
A. It depends on the task. When we’re in the creative stage of a project such as Design Development we work collaboratively sharing ideas, thoughts& opinions. When dealing with tasks such as budgets and timeframes etc we tend to work solo.

Q.What training or study did you undergo?

A. I studied Interior Design at Central Tafe and obtained my Advanced Diploma. During my final year of study I also obtained work experience for 1 to 2 days of the week at a leading design firm in Perth.

Q. What are some or your major achievements in you career so far. 

A.Working on the retail concept guide for Lotterywest and then seeing it implemented in shopping centres around the state was quite fulfilling. The refurbishment of Landgate Midland customer services hall is another highlight.  Designing a space around the interface between the client and general public was challenging but the element that excited me the most was being able to create a space that had the luxury of depth & height. We are presented with very limited opportunities of when you can stand back and view a job in it whole from afar as a complete composition.

Q.What factors have helped in you in your career?

A. I’m very focused and have always believed in the fact that if you want something bad enough all you have to do is set your mind to it, it will be yours ……eventually.

Q. Do you or have you ever had a mentor? If so who?

A. Bob Britton has been my mentor for the last 10 years.  He has always told me that his purpose in life was to appreciate beauty in all aspects of life. My interpretation of his philosophy means looking for the best in a situation and to be more accepting. He has also taught me that many hours can be lost engaged in conversation whilst pondering the workings of the world.

Q.What advise can you give me starting out on a career path similar to you?

A.-Don’t let knock backs deter you from your goals.

-Work hard and be patient.

-Learn and absorb as much as you can from those around you regardless of what position they hold. You can learn so much just by watching & listening to the way people approach things.

Q.Are there any major issues facing the interior design industry at the moment? If so what are they?

A. I think we have 2 major issues at present.

1^st) Surviving the current economic down turn.  

2^nd )The issue of sustainable design

Q.Where do you get inspiration?

A.I think one’s style constantly evolves and each decade through history provides us with inspiration which we can take and cast with more contemporary flavour. At present I’m in love with the old movie sets of the1940’s & 50’s. It’s the luxury and extravagance of it all, the attention to detail.

 Q. Do you enjoy your work? And what are the highlights of the industry?

A. I absolutely love my job. No project is ever the same. You are constantly being challenged on your ability to be creative whilst remaining within your budget.

I am currently acting as the Marketing Committee Chair for the newly formed WA Council of NAWIC and we are currently working to get our launch party off the ground!

NAWIC is an organisation that originates in the US but is successfully established within the Eastern States of Australia and acts as a supporting body to raise the profile and provide opportunities to network for women in the construction industry.

If you would like to know more, find out about our next event or get involved then please have a look at the website www.nawic.com.au or drop myself or our Chapter president Monika and email, MKompara@thincprojects.com.

For some inspiring stories and another feather in the cap of NAWIC have a read of this website: www.buildabetterfuture.com.au

Our next event currently listed is our launch party on the 11th of September 2009, please contact as per above if you are interested in joining us! Oh and have a look at our pics below of our recent info night which got us off the ground in WA.

Hopefully there will be many more pics and news of great events to follow!

Pippa Darrington from Trojan Horse, Amber and Sofi from Evoke and Eko Pam from Cox Howlett & Bailey Woodland

Myself (Jo from Evoke) and some fellow attendees!

Our turn out for the info night! We were so happy that we got a crowd! Its on its way!

A little introduction is all that is needed and perhaps a suggestion of how you can contribute.

We have created this blog so that we can to chat to the world about what is inspiring us, we can tell everyone what we might have learned recently and we can show off pictures of the fun times we have.

We want your participation to provide feedback, get a little healthy designery debating going or just to say hi!

So read on and see a little of the world from an Evoke perspective….

From the Evoke Team!

(L to R): Sofi, Jo, Bob, Danni and Amber… missing is Cat.. probably taking the picture!

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