Join us as we sit down with Sally Peterson, one of our talented Interior Designers, to hear about her journey in the world of design. Discover her unique projects and what it's like working at CMBA Architects. Hear all about it in our most recent podcast episode!
Skyler: Welcome to another episode of Laying the Foundation. Hello everybody, and welcome to another Behind the Blueprints episode of the Laying the Foundation podcast. Today I'm joined with Sally Peterson, one of our phenomenal interior designers. Welcome to the show, sally, hello. And today we'll be talking with her about what she does at CMBA, how she got to be an interior designer, what that means Yeah, sure, all the good stuff. So my first question for you is the first question that I ask everybody who sits down in the chair across from me for these episodes, and that is who are you As Sally Peterson? who are you? Where did you come from? How did you get here? Give me an overview of your life up until this point.
Sally: Sure, so I'm from a small town in South Dakota, not too far from here, but I grew up there with my mom, my dad and my three younger brothers a really good time. And then I chose to go to college at South Dakota State University go jacks. So, yeah, i loved it there. And yeah, for interior design, i kind of started thinking about it when I was in high school and just really liked being creative those art classes, other classes that we got to be creative in, and then I also did well in math and problem solving, and so I just kind of was looking for a mashup of those things And I looked up into your design and kind of researched what that was And I thought, you know, this sounds about right. So I kind of stuck with it and, yeah, stayed with it the whole time. And here I am.
Skyler: All the pieces of the puzzle really came together.
Sally: Yeah.
Skyler: I'm definitely seeing sort of a pattern of that with everyone that I've talked to so far, where they have that artistic side and typically paired with just like a little bit of the mathematical prowess, and then they ask themselves you know, how do I put those two things together? And this seems to be the area where that that comes, those two things come together.
Sally: Yeah, lots of problem solving and being creative.
Skyler:So So did this discovery of interior design happen during high school or college, or the time in between those two?
Sally: Yeah, Yeah, I looked into it when I was still in high school and thought, you know, I'll jump in, I'll try it. And I was actually also kind of still thinking about architecture. And so my freshman year of college, at SESU, the way it's set up is you are in the same classes interiors and architecture students. So I thought, you know, I'll just start and see where I find myself. And after the first year I was like, yeah, I think I'm going to stay with interior design And I, yeah, really enjoyed it. And yeah, yeah.
Skyler: Is there a specific aspect within interior design that really draws you in and like kind of peaks your interests, something that you know? when you look at your workload for the day, you think over here I have things that I need to do And over here I have things that I get to do.
Sally: That's a good question. I think I really love trying to figure out the problem and then getting the best solution, i think. And it can kind of filter into any phase of the design, i feel like. So like, if the client has a specific need and they're like you know, we have too much kids for how much space we have, like OK, well, let's think about this. And so those beginnings, schematic design phases, where we really get to figure out that problem, filters through all the solutions like OK, we could do this or we could do this or we could do this, and yeah, then just really working with them and figuring it out, yeah, kind of flushing out those ideas. I think I really enjoy that and working with the client, especially to a super fun Yeah.
Skyler: So, as someone from the marketing department who doesn't always get a chance to see what all of you are doing every day when you go to your sites and such, what is the process of finding and identifying those challenges and problems that a client is facing, that we work towards fixing and overcoming when we design a space for them?
Sally: Yeah well, i'm probably not the best person to tell, but I still feel like I'm green.
I've been here for three years But from my perspective, i think I've heard a lot of people say, like sometimes you have to find out what the client needs, not what they want, and I know that's a big thing that I try to keep in the forefront of my mind, just because sometimes they'll start talking about something as we're walking through their current space or something, and then you catch on to little pieces of like oh, that's a problem, and they think this is how we need to solve it, but maybe this is better, and so then we get to think about those, maybe situations and then present it to them, and sometimes they have this oh wow, i never would have thought that.
But that makes way more sense And it's like that's what we're here for.
Skyler: So yeah, Kind of like hey, we've done the research and we've seen this kind of stuff before.
Sally: Yeah, so it looks different on every project, but that was just my first example thought of.
Skyler: Yeah, it's a. it's a unique opportunity to be able to walk through the space with the staff and determine what sorts of you know needs and challenges there are with the space, as well as their vision for what they want inside of the space, which is super awesome Since they're the ones using it.
Speaker 3: Attention architecture professionals, are you looking for an employment opportunity that will provide you with a wonderful work culture and a competitive pay rate? Look no further than CMBA architects. Our firm offers flexible scheduling, a casual dress code and a great work environment that will help you collaborate and create. Plus, who doesn't love having Fridays off?
Skyler: To learn more about our available positions, visit the careers page at CMBAarchitectscom and apply to join the CMBA team. Now you mentioned spaces hosting kids, such as schools and other educational spaces like that. Do you personally have a specific sort of area that you like to work within, whether that be that like K-12, is that kind of what you go for?
Sally: Sure, yeah, i've been doing a lot of education And I think that's something like I got to go to a conference called Ed Spaces to learn more about that. So I feel like I've gotten more projects of that than anything else And so I'm learning more on that. And so, yeah, i do, i do like that And I feel like I'm getting better at it hopefully, and yeah, that's been fun. I feel like I have a little bit of a unique perspective. I like to think, anyway, of I really like working with kids just outside of work. So I was a camp counselor for a couple years and then I work with my church's youth group. So I think it's kind of fun. It's like, okay, i work with kids enough I can kind of see from the user's perspective sometimes.
Skyler: I like to think I can anyway, but yeah, So taking that outside experience and knowledge and being able to bring it into the spaces that you're working on and designing to help make it the best that it can be, that's that's really awesome. So kind of taking that outside experience and knowledge and being able to bring it into the spaces that you're working on and designing to make it the best that it can be, that's that's really awesome. See, this is the stuff that I'm really learning about from all of you.
Sally: For this together.
Skyler: Awesome. So my next bit of curiosity what does a typical like day look like for you within the position that you do?
Sally: I actually read this question and kind of laughed to myself because I was like, oh man, i wish there was a typical day. But if I could, like hit highlights. I mean I'll be working on a few projects at a time. So in one project I might be working on kind of that schematic design phase We were talking about, where I'm flushing out ideas, and then another project I'm working more on the aesthetic, because I've got those ideas flushed out And now we're trying to get the final pieces of carpet and all of those kind of things together and making sure everything coordinates, especially if it's an existing building, you're working with the existing materials. And then sometimes I'm calling people and emailing people and making sure everybody's good to go on a project that's in construction or that's starting or something like that. So, yeah, kind of cover a good range.
Skyler: Oh, absolutely So. When you're working on things, how do you manage to switch between different projects throughout the day, since so much thought and planning has to kind of go into each one? How do you, how do you know when to set one thing aside for the moment and jump to another project and then be able to like jump back to that first one later on?
Sally: Yeah, time management is definitely a skill that is super valuable. I think that's something I'm still probably learning, but I'll make lists of things and then try to just stay in a lane for a while And then you know, obviously things come up that are more pressing and more important and you have to switch. But yeah, what helps me is just kind of laying everything out in a checklist and then trying to focus in blocks on certain things.
Skyler: Yeah, i can't even imagine the idea of having all these different projects you're trying to work on and each one has its own challenges and difficulties and super specific details, and then kind of being able to keep up with all of that.
Sally: Yes, and then, as a interior designer, i work with multiple different architects, which I mean they're working with different teams and stuff too.
Skyler: But sometimes they'll come up to me and start talking and I was like, stop, i need you to tell me which project we're talking about Before you go what about for the projects that you've worked on so far, like what was something that you just really loved or enjoyed working on, whether that be like a full project specifically, or maybe something within a specific project that was like a highlight for you, or just generally? you know what is your favorite part about what you do.
Sally: I guess some of my favorite things that I've been able to come out of certain projects with is I love developing that client relationship which as the interior designer sometimes I don't get to be the first client contact with like CMBA's person, but I've gotten to do that a little bit more with certain clients and it's so fun to just like get to know somebody and then at the end of the project to get to talk to them about what the successes were and such. And so right now I'm working on a preschool. It's a headstart preschool, so very little littles, and it's just fun to hear the administration people. It's for upper Des Moines opportunity, so it's kind of that nonprofit And anyway they're just like so excited about their mission and all that And it's so cool to get to know that and understand them and just be a part of what they're doing, you know.
And then another favorite one is I worked for a headquarter building for Schuster Trucking Company And so it's like this family owned business and just getting to know Mr Schuster himself and be like, oh hey, we should do this, and then just him really trusting me And just that was so fun. I just really enjoyed those.
Skyler: I could see that being like really awesome being able to like be there and seeing the client getting really excited about their space and then coming and the coming changes and developments And I'm sure there are lots of times when they know there's something that they have struggled with in the past due to some of the challenges and limitations on their space. To have, like experts come in and look at over and start pitching ideas for how things could change or be adjusted that can help to fix those situations. That would be. You know, i'd be ecstatic if it was me.
Sally: Kind of get to be their person that makes their dreams come true. for lack of better words, so yeah.
Skyler: And then the last question that I have and I know it's sort of less of a question per say, and more of a plug for CNBA, but I digress What if you were to pick something that would be your favorite part about working at CNBA? what would it be?
Sally: Sure, yeah, i mean, i'm a people person, so the people are what do it for me. I love the people I work with and the people I get to work for. Like I was just talking about those relationships I've got to build, and so, yeah, i think interior design, architecture is a very collaborative profession and stuff. So it's so fun to be able to run over to Jocelyn or Mackenzie's desk and say, hey, let's work on this together and then just get to build a relationship with them and trust them as a team. And so, yeah, i really trust all of the people I work with And I think that's just really I don't know, you don't always get to work in a place like that And it's so awesome. So awesome.
Skyler: Well, that's all the questions that I have prepared. I just want to say a massive thank you to Sally for taking the time to sit down and talk about what she does, giving us some insight on what interior design is all about. If you'd like to find out more about the Lang the Foundation podcast, you can head over to any podcast streaming platform, such as Spotify, itunes, google podcasts and others. You can also find out more about CNBA architects through social media such as Facebook, linkedin, twitter and Instagram. Additionally, you can head over to the CNBA website at CNBAarchitectscom. If you're an architecture or design professional or an intern looking for an internship within those fields, please be sure to check out our website and click on the careers tab to find out more about what opportunities we offer. This has been another episode of the Lang the Foundation podcast. We'll see you next time.