An Interview with Connie Kolokotrones: Interior Designer & Instructor
by Edward Castro
Career School Directory Columnist
July 03, 2006
Finding a career that satisfies both the right and left sides of the brain is difficult. One career that offers the best of both worlds is interior design. Part artist, part business leader, interior designers find themselves in the enviable position of loving their work and making a good living.
The Seattle-based design firm Chambers Interior Design has been creating custom environments for over 20 years. Owner Connie Kolokotrones is not only a celebrated interior designer, but also a well-respected interior design teacher. In this interview, Connie offers her perspectives on education and career options for those interested in interior design.
CSD: How did you decide on a career in interior design?
CK: As a child, I was very artistic, and always had a project of some type to work on. When I decided to go to college I chose a career path in art, but I wanted to find an area where I felt I could earn a living and still express my creative abilities.
The interior design of the Taj Mahal took at least 15 years to complete. Find schools
CSD: What kind of education do you have in this field?
CK: I hold a Bachelor of Arts in art with an emphasis in interior design from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. While there is no longer a program of that kind at MSU, at the time students pursuing a design emphasis were required to study interior design, graphic design, and product design. It was a well-rounded education and included courses in architecture, theatre, photography, and business. Graduates had the option of specializing in any of the three areas we studied. I discovered my passion was Interior Design.
CSD: How did you land your first job?
CK: I had finished school, and like many students, I was broke. I moved to Las Vegas where one of my sisters lived, found a furnished apartment, and worked nights in the same restaurant I worked in each summer to earn my college tuition. For over a year I worked on my portfolio, and saved some money so I could travel to find a job.
I left Last Vegas in April of 1980, and went to Montana to visit my family, and planned on interviewing in Seattle, and travelling down the coast, believing I would end up in California. Eventually I drove to Seattle with my portfolio and no map, interviewing with various companies over two weeks. Despite the fact that the country was in the middle of one of the worst recessions in recent memory, I was hired by Moffat and Associates part-time, though I never ended up working part-time. My learning curve was incredible. I went home exhausted every day. I was given many opportunities, a great deal of responsibility, and very quickly found myself working as the right hand of one of the firm's principals. I enjoyed so much success that four years later, I bought the company when the owners chose to retire.
CSD: Is having a degree in this field a necessity?
CK: Since interior designers are responsible for their clients' health, safety, and welfare, I believe there is merit in degrees, licensing, and testing of those who want to work as interior designers. Since the products we choose to use in our projects also impact our environment, having an understanding of materials is incredibly valuable. Ultimately, knowledge is power, and educated designers enhance and raise the level of the profession.
As of 2004, there were approximately 46,360 people employed as interior designers in the United States. Find schools
CSD: What are some of the benefits of having a degree in Interior Design?
CK: The most obvious benefit to having a degree in interior design is in having less limits placed on your right to practice. A degree in interior design also allows you to better serve your clients, make living and working environments better and safer, and ultimately addressing the aspects of universal and accessible design.
CSD: What should someone interested in a career in Interior Design look for in a program or instructor?
CK: Those interested in a degree in interior design should find a program accredited by The Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Most education programs either have or are trying to have this accreditation. It is becoming the norm in education.
CSD: Why is interior design a good career option?
CK: It is an area where you can enhance the lives of individuals and groups. Interior designers are given the opportunity to make the world a better and more beautiful place. Of course the simple answer is that a career in interior design is fun. In fact, to be paid money to have fun doesn't really seem like a job.
Learn more about Interior Design programs
About the Author
Edward Castro is a freelance writer specializing in new technology, entertainment, and the World Wide Web. He currently assists entrepreneurs in using the Web.
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