Guest Blog: Heather Spiers - Graduated NDA Student

Hello all,

It's that time again for aother new blog post and this time we have something different to share. We've invited Heather Spiers to guest blog for us. Heather previously studied at The National Design Academy and graduated in 2012. Since graduation, Heather has succesfully opened her own interior design business. Read Heather's guest blog below!

Let me tell you all about myself!
I have always been interested in art and design and got good grades in my GCSE’s, I was all set for art college when I fell under the spell of my now husband! – He was a few years older than me so I thought leaving school and getting a job would be better for us.  I took my other path option which was business studies and went into office work.  I do not regret this as it gave me valuable experience of how to run an office and dealing with accounts.

My husband is a carpenter and four years ago took the plunge and went self-employed.  I have found I can deal with his bookwork and accounts. We have now been married for 15 years and have two lovely boys so it was definitely the right decision at that time.

When my youngest boy was set to go to school full time I found myself with more time on my hands.  I Knew I did not wish to return to the office environment that I was in before and although the time was right to start thinking of returning to work I still needed to be there for my children should I be needed.

We had renovated our current property and this sparked my passion for interiors.
 I noticed an advertisement for The NDA diploma course in one of the many interior magazines I had read and thought this could be my new career.  As the cost of the diploma was low, it would not be a big outlay so I could give it a go!
 Distance learning was my only option as I needed to be there for my children and helping my husband.  I found it easy to fit completing each module around my other commitments.  Feeling happy with my results and spurred on by the tutors comments I decided to make the journey up to the NDA for a degree open day.
The open day gave me a fantastic insight into what would be expected of me, I met other students and was lovely to see the tutors face to face.  Having a tour around the private apartments also helped to see a design go from moodboard to reality.
I enrolled on the degree course on my return and I am very pleased I did.  I gained confidence on each module and always knew that my tutor was there at the end of the phone to help give me motivation and inspiration if required.  I found the VLS system fantastic, I could chat to people going through the same thing as me and everyone would offer encouragement – even now I am still in touch with some of them and we all encourage and support each other. Having a countdown to each deadline really helped me ensure that I learnt how to manage my time to meet the deadlines.  The end modules made me think of what direction I was going to head and the business plan I made is helping me with my new business.

Encouraged with the marks I was receiving I decided to enter into the NDA penthouse competition.  I was very pleased with my entry and delighted when I came in the top 20 highly commended – this was a big confidence boost.

Since I have completed my degree course I have set up my own interior business.
I have designed my website and flyers and have a facebook page.  Last week I joined a networking group for mums with businesses their meetings will give me a platform to meet many people across my area.  I do have a long journey ahead of me to get myself known but I do feel that after studying with the NDA I have the confidence and ability to make it work. When I needed to have some work experience I met a designer who is quite near me but not in my “backyard” she has been a great help to me and has offered me to join her in some of her projects and let me help on an interior photo shoot.  I have her to offer assistance and guidance which is fantastic.  I have set up trade accounts with wallpaper and fabric suppliers and have a sideline of sliding wardrobe doors that I can design and my husband can fit.

In the long term future I hope to have raised my profile and have a busy successful business that I can run alongside my husbands.  Together we can make my designs a reality and bring the option of using an interior designer to the reach of people who would not necessarily think of using one.

Overall I am extremely glad that I answered the advertisement.....I now can have a career that I really enjoy and can fit around my family life.....how many people can say that! -Thank you NDA

 You can visit Heather Spiers website here, or take a look at her Facebook page for news, offers and updates.

Investigating the phenomenology of design objects within a specific environment

On the 23^rd May our partners, Staffordshire University along side Glyndwr University hosted the Inaugural Postgraduate Research Student Conference.

In 2012 Staffordshire University and Glyndwr University signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to develop and deliver opportunities for academic collaboration for the benefit of students and staff in both institutions. Key collaborative activities were identified in the areas of; research supervisor training, joint scholarship, postgraduate research student support (including a joint postgraduate research conference and sharing best practice and supporting each other and teaching)

The aim of this year’s inaugural postgraduate conference was to provide a mulch-disciplinary, inclusive and supportive environment where students and staff from both universities can meet to present and discuss diverse research plans and activities.

                        

Our very own Anthony Rayworth, The National Design Academy’s Director of Studies attended and presented. Anthony’s presentation, titled “Investigating the Phenomenology of design objects within a specific environment” posed the main research question; What is the phenomenon that occurs when, prior to assimilating content, the viewer encounters an intentional presentation of interiors-related artefacts?

To discover the propositions you can view Anthony’s full presentation here.

 Anthony considers the possibility of designing an artefact digitally and remotely, for example whilst on a railway journey, send the information to a 3D printer and arrive home to find the object waiting to be used or displayed raises a host of implications for our culture. These may be progressive and positive or they may contribute towards the development of a society solely reliant upon instant gratification; it is too early to tell. The research seeks to analyse the phenomenology of experiencing artefacts to do with the residential interior and extrapolate those essential, significant elements which may, in turn, contribute towards the inclusion or retention of depth and meaning within a contemporary culture. 

At its most fundamental level, the research focuses on the immediate reaction of a viewer to a presentation of artefacts related to, or normally associated with, residential interiors. The supposition is that this phenomenon usually occurs within the first few seconds and is a combination of emotional, psychological, and intellectual stimuli. Through a process of “unpacking” the elements of a group of artefacts; both tangible; method of production, material, colour, scale and intangible; age, significance, provenance, patina, intention, the research will attempt to discover what precise phenomena each of these elements induce.

The NDA is famous!

As you all know we recently packed our suitcases, inclusive of sandals and sun hat and ventured out to a very sunny Dubai to exhibit at INDEX 2013.

Whilst we were there we had the pleasure of meeting lots of lovely, enthusiastic individuals each with a passion for design.

After much hair brushing and lining up for our group photo we're thrilled to find it part of the INDEX Inspiration Daily Magazine of the fourth day. Take a look at our sneak picture preview below - you'll also find links to each of the daily magazines.

INDEX Inspiration Daily Day 1

INDEX Inspiration Daily Day 2

INDEX Inspiration Daily Day 3

INDEX Inspiration Daily Day 4

Day Two: INDEX Dubai

It's our second day exhibiting here in Dubai and we’re in full swing. It’s been great to meet so many people who are as interested and passionate about the National Design Academy as we are. Two of our current students studying our Masters in Interior Design and Diploma in Professional Interior Design were in attendance and came to say Hello.

As with yesterday, it seems that huge numbers have travelled along way to be here today and all enjoying themselves with big smiles too!
In the case of INDEX, design is a common ground for many and brings people together to celebrate and explore the complexity and scope of design. As Rola, our tutor would say “Design is a language between cultures”.

Throughout the exhibition several companies have hosted various seminars and talks with The National Design Academy being one of the speakers in today’s agenda. Rola opened the speech in Arabic,( a welcome surprise for those that attended) and then stood aside for Helen to continue. We had some great comments and the audience seemed genuinely interested (and pleased) about what we had to say.Relief all round!

After the excitement of yesterday and the huge success of our second day, we’re off to rest our feet and recharge our batteries for tomorrow. We can’t wait!

Day one: INDEX Dubai

We’ve arrived!

You may have seen our recent post about how excited we were to attend and exhibit at INDEX 2013. After what felt like a long plane journey we touched down safely and couldn’t wait to start unpacking and building our stand.

It seems we weren’t the only ones, with huge crowds rushing in to set up and prepare for the Design Exhibition. The exhibition was officially opened by HH Sheik Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktom, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, a great start the first day.

Already, we've had the privilege of meeting lots of different people of all nationalities, including the event organizers, many of which had travelled much further than us to attend.
Walking around the huge air conditioned hall there are various companies with lots of interesting products and design concepts on display, catching the eye of each and every passer by.

The most show stopping product of the day has to be our gowns, everyone we met loved them. I think it’s definitely safe to say they made a huge impression.

Take a look at our Facebook page for all of our photos from the day.