Get to know our Associate Interior Designer, Colin Carswell

This week we’re catching up with our Associate Interior Designer, Colin Carswell, who gives us some insight on his morning routine and updates us on how the Escapade at Silverstone project is progressing.

Why did you decide to choose to enter the Interior Design industry?
The honest answer is I didn’t! I was always good at art and design at school and I left not knowing which way to go. I ended up working in a sports shop for three years but missed being creative so I ended up moving to Edinburgh to study 3D design at college and from there, moved over to the Glasgow School of Art and got into second year interior design. I was always interested in how people use and interact with spaces. I do struggle with the general impression that people have of interior design, we don’t just ‘pick curtains and patterns’, it’s so much more than that. I really like how you can tap into the psychology of it and design something to enhance the emotional experience.

Where do you find everyday inspiration?
Pinterest is a fantastic tool. The way that works is brilliant, it really does help stimulate and give ideas. It’s very easy to go down a rabbit hole with Pinterest!

For me, inspiration is everywhere, you never really shut off from it. If I’m out with the family, I might see something with nice detail or texture and will take a picture of it on my phone. Although what regularly happens is that when I’m out, I’ll take a picture and I’ll forget about it. A few weeks later I might be checking my phone and I’ll spot something and that will reignite it. I do it for all projects; I know what the rest of the team are working on so if I’m out and I spot something or if its in a magazine I’ll take a picture and send it on the team chat or raise it in a meeting.

I also think as designers in the hospitality sector, it’s so important to actually experience the hotel as a guest. I try to find time to do that when I can.

I’m also known for critiquing design while I’m out for dinner or drinks with my wife. She tells me to switch off but I can’t help it! I’m always on the lookout for inspiration!

What’s your typical day-to-day like?
It really depends on deadlines and upcoming projects. I’m running a few projects at the moment so spend my time liaising with the client and design team, attending meetings or visiting the site. I also manage a small team, so I could be feeding in work, catching up on projects etc. There’s also an educational aspect to my role. Dawn, Craig and I like to host design workshops which is an open forum were we, as a team, discuss a project and the scope. That’s also when I’m likely to share pictures of textures and colours I have seen while I’ve been out and about.

I like to take thirty minutes at the start of each day to go through a list of industry magazines, blogs and relevant websites and pick out what I like. For me, it’s a good way to wake your brain up and get a bit of inspiration to start your day! Nine times out of ten, I’ll come back to it. I never used to do it, one of my ex-colleagues did it and I thought it was a good idea. It’s a great way to take some time to adjust and get your head into design. I’m trying to convince the rest of the team to do it too!

What is your favourite part of your role?
There’s nothing better going than going around a table with your colleagues, brainstorming, fleshing out ideas, sketching on paper and problem solving as a team. What’s key for me is not being precious about a design. I always note that what I’m designing isn’t for me, it’s all about the client and does it work in their market.

I also really enjoy working with the younger members of the team and showing them how a space should work. I like to try and impart a bit of wisdom from what I’ve learnt along the way! I love the teaching aspect of the role.

You’re currently leading on the Escapade project at Silverstone. How’s the project coming along?  
We’ve completed the concept phase and are now getting into the detail. By that I mean we are finalising the design, tweaking it to make the most impact, meeting with contractors and just finalising what we need to do to ensure it all stays within budget.

 Escapade at Silverstone is a cracking site, I was so excited when we were brought on. Motorsport has always been a personal passion of mine so it’s been a real thrill to be involved and inject my love for the industry into the interiors. I can’t wait to see the final results!

What do you like to do outside of work?
I have lots of hobbies! I love sport, especially football but at the moment I don’t get to go to many games. I like going to the gym and trying to keep fit in general. I have a son and daughter who keep me on my toes too!