My relationship with design began long before I knew it would become my career. From a young age, I was fascinated by the things around me, especially cars, buildings, furniture and the details that made them unique. I have always wanted to understand why something was designed the way it was, how it was made and what story sits behind it.
Some of my earliest memories of appreciating design come from visiting art galleries with my late godfather. Those experiences introduced me to art, history and the idea that something we create can carry meaning long after we are gone. They shaped the way I look at design today, not simply as something visual, but as something connected to people, culture, history and emotion.
My mother also played and still continuously plays an important role in my journey. Through her furniture business (Mickey and Jude), I was introduced to the practical side of design from a very young age. From the age of eleven, I spent time in the factory, surrounded by materials, craftsmanship and the process of turning an idea into something tangible. Watching something go from a drawing to a finished piece gave me an appreciation for detail and making that I still carry into my work today.
Although I grew up around design, choosing interior design was ultimately my own decision. I am the first in my family to pursue interior design and interior architecture as a profession, and I wanted to create a path that brought together the things I had always been drawn to: art, architecture, materials, history, craftsmanship and the experience of space.
That creative side of me was first recognised through art. In my final year of school, I received the Matric Art Award, with my work selected for permanent exhibition in a gallery. It was an important moment for me because it showed me that something I had always enjoyed could become something I could genuinely pursue.
When I began studying interior design, I set myself a goal of becoming the top interior design student across Emeris. That goal continues to push me. It has shaped how seriously I approach my studies, the opportunities I pursue and the standard I expect from my own work. Through dedication, hunger and continued drive I have been awarded the top academic student award for the last two years, been invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society, and achieved a distinction in every module each year throughout my studies.
Looking back, I think design was always around me. I just had to find my own way of seeing it, and I can’t wait for what the future has in store.