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Mar 04, 2024 By Vasia Rigou
Guiding the Future: The Role of Mentorship in Interior Design
Underlining the importance of mentorship in nurturing the next generation of interior designers and building life-long career success—at IIDA and beyond
By Vasia Rigou Mar 04, 2024
Published in Articles

(Above Image: Tyler Hatton attends WSA retreat 2022. Image courteys of Tyler Hatton)

“Why do we do what we do—in life, in our careers, in our relationships—if we don’t share our experiences so someone else can learn from our struggles to lessen theirs? Or share our successes to accelerate their rewards?” wonders Erika Moody, FIIDA when asked about the importance of mentorship. “If you believe that is possible, which I do, then not only do you mentor, but you always stay curious and listen to others who have wisdom to share,” she adds. The President of Helix Architecture + Design knows firsthand that mentorship can be a transformative experience that can profoundly shape one's professional journey—not only at the beginning but throughout. “For our profession, mentorship will empower the next generation of designers to tackle tomorrow's design opportunities. It’s a non-negotiable. We have to mentor and always be willing to be mentored."

“There is something that can be learned from anyone,” says Moody, who believes in the power of listening and self-awareness in applying advice effectively. The foundation of a successful mentor-mentee relationship, according to her, is mutual respect, which fosters trust over time. “Throughout my career I have been given incredible mentors, some for the duration of a project (a really grumpy but brilliant owner’s rep comes to mind,) some for technical training, some for inspirational guidance, encouraging me to stretch from the comfort of who I am to seeing who I could be,” she says. “Many have remained with me throughout my entire career, including one I contact whenever I have exciting news and he gets as excited for me as he would for his own children," she adds. "My best mentors are counted as my closest friends. I truly am a collection of all of these people and so much stronger, bolder, and better for their abundant guidance.”

Having experienced the roles of both mentor and mentee, Moody has gained valuable insights from being on both sides of the mentorship dynamic: “Having great mentors has always made me want to aspire to be one as well. I want to reciprocate their wisdom and kindness to another and pay it forward. I love to help others connect the dots in their career and life,” she says.

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Erika Moody, FIIDA
President, Helix Architecture + Design
Photo by Image courtesy of Erika Moody
Erika Moody, FIIDA
President, Helix Architecture + Design
Photo by Image courtesy of Erika Moody

Perfectly aligning with Moody’s perspective, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), where she currently serves as a president-elect on the International Board, firmly believes in the transformative power of mentorship in shaping the future of the interior design industry. Case in point, its dynamic Student Mentoring Program an initiative that annually connects hundreds of students with experienced professionals across the country, allowing them to step out of the classroom and immerse themselves into the real world of interior design.

“Sometimes clarity can be difficult without the insights of others,” says Christine Gould, Ind. IIDA senior manager A+D, workplace and health at Kimball International, who serves as IIDA Illinois Chapter's VP of Student Affairs. To her, it’s all about meaningful conversations that often lead to unlocking vital resources, growth opportunities, and broader networks, all of which are crucial for navigating and understanding the industry more effectively. “The profession of interior design is incredibly multi-faceted and we hold ourselves to an extremely high standard. This level of excellence doesn’t come without continual investment in personal and professional growth,” she adds.

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Christine Gould
Senior Manager, A&D
A&D Representative at Kimball International

Image courtesy of Christine Gould
Christine Gould
Senior Manager, A&D
A&D Representative at Kimball International

Image courtesy of Christine Gould
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Image courtesy of Christine Gould
Image courtesy of Christine Gould

Tyler Hatton, Assoc. IIDA design specialist at WSA and VP of Student Affairs at the IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter, shares a very similar experience: “My most impactful mentors have been designers who I both admire and trust. They have impacted my professional journey by inspiring and motivating me to do my best work, encouraging me to seek the right answers, and supporting me when I felt a bit lost.” Fast forward to today, it is Hatton, now in the role of a mentor, who provides advice and guidance. Something to keep in mind: “A mentorship experience is something that you can tailor to your own professional needs: It can be a formal program, like through your school, office, or professional organization; or it can be casual, like having quarterly coffee with someone you look up to professionally,” he says.

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Tyler Hatton
Design Specialist, WSA

Image courtesy of Tyler Hatton
Tyler Hatton
Design Specialist, WSA

Image courtesy of Tyler Hatton
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Hatton attends IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter 2023 Design Awards in Columbus, OH.

Image courtesy of Tyler Hatton
Hatton attends IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter 2023 Design Awards in Columbus, OH.

Image courtesy of Tyler Hatton

Eve Horstmann, IIDA associate interior designer, GBD Architects and IIDA Oregon Chapter's VP of Student Affairs, agrees: “Mentorship does not need to be overwhelming or time-consuming,” she says, urging emerging designers to treat everyday moments as opportunities to learn or teach something new. “Start small and go from there,” she adds, looking at mentorship as the key to empowering people and breaking down barriers to success and belonging in the design industry. “Mentorship has enabled me to have confidence in my abilities as an interior designer and say yes to new and challenging project opportunities and leadership roles within my firm and the Oregon A+D community,” she says.

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Eve Horstmann, IIDA
Associate Interior Designer, GBD Architects
Photo by Image courtesy of Eve Horstmann
Eve Horstmann, IIDA
Associate Interior Designer, GBD Architects
Photo by Image courtesy of Eve Horstmann

“My approach to mentorship is the direct result of being a mentee: I aim to provide the support and resources I once longed for,” she adds. “Creating a safe space for both mentee and mentor to show up as they are as individuals is key. People thrive when they feel seen and heard.”

Unafraid of the industry’s ups and downs, Gould sees the beauty of the interior design profession in the diversity of experiences it offers. “Each individual's journey is unique, often filled with unexpected twists and turns but I truly believe each life experience is a stepping stone to the next, unlocking discoveries and relationships along the way,” she says, adding: “This is an industry full of people who want to lift others up and we’re so lucky for that.”


This article was originally published in I+S

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