Rebecca Slater | Blakely Interior Design design project director
In 2015, Rebecca Slater left an MFA program at Suffolk University and discovered she could pursue her design studies through Rhode Island School of Design’s certificate program. Slater’s experience learning and networking put her in touch with Janelle Photopoulos, founder of Blakely Interior Design. Soon after she had a job, as well as a certificate in design, despite her initial career plan.
1. Were you surprised to learn you didn’t need a college degree to have a professional design career? Yes, I was. I was told by most people that I could not achieve my dreams without a traditional college degree. I was excited to prove them wrong.
2. What would you suggest to people like yourself interested in interior design or design in general? Surround yourself with high-quality interior design magazines. Pore over them and start to articulate your style, learn the lingo. Then attend events in the area where you can interact with and meet other designers and creatives. This will kick-start your career and be a ton of fun.
3. Which would you rate as the more important: A credential (degree or certificate) or hands-on experience? Hands-on experience for sure, but they aren’t mutually exclusive. I have learned more working at Blakely Interior Design for four years than I ever did in school, but I could not be where I am today without the skills provided to me by my educational experience.
4. If you were recruiting for people in your field, what would you look for? Easy-going, energetic and detail-oriented designers who love color and bending rules.
5. How do you see the local job market for design professionals without a degree? I think there is a lot of opportunity here in Rhode Island for those with high skills and creative minds to find meaningful work with or without a college degree.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN contributing writer.
