Commercial Designer Spotlight: Take 5 Commercial Interior Designers Telia and Ishoa

Illuminating the creative brilliance of commercial designers who redefine the boundaries of imagination. In this commercial designer spotlight, we had the pleasure of interviewing not one, but two talented commercial fit out designers, Telia Cartwright and Ishoa Scozzafava. Take 5 and delve into their journeys, their design processes, advice for other upcoming designers, and much more!

With a combined experience in the dynamic realm of commercial design, both Ishoa and Telia have carved a niche for themselves, grounding confidence and design capability leaving their clients feeling taken care of, every time. Their expertise extends across a diverse array of projects, including residential spaces, commercial office fitouts, commercial hospitality shopfits, commercial retail fitouts, commercial medical fitouts, commercial fitness fitouts and a personal favourite, commercial wellness and beauty fitouts. 

Ishoa and Telia are passionate about bringing clients visions to life, and having the capability to envision a space as they walk through. Telia and Ishoa love working closely together with their clientele and setting them up for commercial design success. They use problem solving and ‘outside the box’ thinking to align their client’s visions and expectations in line with their spending capacity, keeping it to budget but not creatively limiting the space. 

Telia’s academic journey, marked by holding a Diploma in Building Design & Interior Design through TAFE QLD, underlines her commitment to excellence in the field. Ishoa has a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration from Sydney Design School, coupled with her 20+ years of client liaison and customer service, she has the creativity, relationship skills and experience to make her a talented, capable all-rounder. Since both Telia and Ishoa started with Total Fitouts, they have come in and blown up the Sunshine Coast with their reputable commercial design skills, putting Total Fitouts Sunshine Coast South on the map for commercial in-house design.

TFO: How did you get into commercial design?

T: I have always had a creative flair, as a kid I would create mini production sets, always move my room around and always update wall colours, bedding etc. That creative flair transitioned into my first full time job in retail, as a manager I would handle all visual merchandising. When covid hit, I decided I could make a career out of it and moved forward studying the dual diploma of Building Design & Interior Design.

I: I wanted to study Architecture at school. Back in my day, you needed an ‘A’ in Physics to get into architecture, but Physics was not my thing. I ended up studying Sports Science. After children, we built my house with a small builder and I managed all the selections and found myself wishing I was onsite daily. It ignited a fire in me to go back to design. 

TFO: What made you gravitate towards commercial vs other construction industry work?

T: My study was mainly focused on the residential side of design, but the opportunity to work in commercial spaces drew me in. I love the fast-paced environment and job diversity that comes with commercial design.

I: Warren and Heath, Directors for Total Fitouts Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast South, were lovely enough to offer me a design assistant role while I was studying. I love how creative you can be in commercial design and how fast-paced it can be. 

TFO: What are your favourite industries to design (commercial hospitality, commercial retail etc.)?

T: Health and beauty clinics are my bread and butter! However, I do like bespoke one of a kind specialty restaurants. 

I: Anything hospitality, beauty or offices!

TFO: What is your commercial design process and does it change depending on the project?

T: Every job is so different in terms of the design requirements. The design process that we have implemented is interchangeable across all commercial designs, making for a fluid process for me each time. 

I: Inspiration comes from all places but the most valuable tool is listening to the clients wants and vision. Once you have done that, you can put that into a design. For me, that always comes first. 

TFO: Tips for collaborating with clients to create the best commercial space?

T: Our clients always come to us with a vision, communicating to gain an understanding of exact needs, wants and requirements. It is our job to show the clients what does and doesn’t work by communicating options and helping them through the process. Don’t be afraid to speak up when something isn’t working, we are the professionals in our field and they are the professionals in theirs. Being collaborative is important. 

I: Listen and communicate at every step. I think 3D renders at the concept stage is a great way to communicate your commercial design. People are often very visual and need to see your ideas. 

TFO: What is your favourite thing about commercial design?

T: I love everything about commercial design! If I had to pick though it would have to be spatial mapping of a floor plan and finish selection mood boards for client presentations. 

I: Mine would be concept design/ 3d rendering and a happy client at the completed stage of the commercial design process.

TFO: What advice would you give someone looking to do commercial interior design?

T: Be as creative as you can on study projects, this will help you find your niche and design style aiding in your future career. 

I: It’s not just about fluffing pillows! Just go for it! If you love working with people and being creative it’s the job for you. 

TFO: What are your upcoming trend predictions?

T: Maximalism – spaces that aren’t minimal, lived in interiors, colour & pattern variation.  

I: Colour, use of singular unique vintage pieces to complement new modern spaces.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

TFO: Working digital or hand drawing?

T: Digital all the way baby!!

I: Digital all day, I spent two years hand drawing and it was too time-consuming.

TFO: Favourite project?

T: Definitely Skin & Body Club.

I: I loved working on Stax!

TFO: Best & worst interior design trend?

T: Worst – coastal DIY trends. Best – mid-century modern. 

I: Worst – Hamptons with blue. Best – colour pop natural stone 

TFO: What’s coming up (that you can tell us)?

T & I: A Neurosurgery Suites

Learn more about Total Fitouts expert commercial designs here.

Whether you’re a designer interested in being featured in Commercial Designer Spotlight or you’re searching for your next dream design to fitout project, we invite you to reach out to Total Fitouts and contact us here to explore exciting opportunities and collaborations!