Alexis King Of 2117 Collective On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Trust. Trust in yourself. As a business owner, there comes a time when you must accept your responsibilities and know that you are capable of successfully handling them. It’s a never-ending learning process for everyone, not just you.
As a part of my series about the ‘Five Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Commercial Designer,’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexis King.
Alexis King is the owner and lead designer at 2117 Collective in California. She began her interior design career in 2016 after earning a BFA in Interior Architecture. Along the way, she’s exercised her talents at 30 Collins and Ethan Allen, one a high-end design firm and another a world-renowned furniture company. She now designs custom furniture and runs a residential and commercial interior design firm.
Thank you for joining us today! Can you share the story of what led you to pursue a career in commercial design?
During the time I spent earning a BFA in Interior Architecture in Chicago, there was a lot, and I mean a lot, of time spent dissecting the user experience of commercial spaces and creating solutions to enhance those experiences. That knowledge expanded, along with my passion for designing, while working under established designers in Los Angeles until I gained enough confidence to launch my own firm.
What’s the most interesting or amusing experience you’ve had in your career so far, and what lesson did you learn from it?
Making the change from working at firms with other designers, collaborating on daily decisions and having a designated job description to overseeing any and all aspects of a business is a shock, to say the least. I have really had to find my voice and learn to trust myself. There is a delicate balance to be found between believing you are capable and knowing there is still so much to learn.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you share a story about how it has been relevant in your life?
“You think you have time” resonates with me very deeply. As a young widow, I’ve learned that we can make all the grand plans we want in life, dream of the achievements we will accomplish one day when the time is right, but frankly, we’re not promised that time. After picking up most of the broken pieces that grief leaves behind I had the realization that the time is now. Those distant dreams of owning my own interior design firm and spending all my free time with dogs quickly became a reality.
As a successful business leader, which three character traits have been most crucial to your success? Can you share a story or example for each?
Courage. I’ve gotten comfortable with the uncomfortable on this journey. The truth is, you don’t know until you know. There are so many aspects of starting and owning a business that you just can’t prepare for and won’t know how to do until you just do it.
Resilience. There will be people that doubt you, yourself likely included, and there will be things you don’t know how to do (yet). Holding tight onto your goals and navigating through unknown territories with your head held high and an open mind will take you a long way.
Persistence. Set your goals, research the steps you need to take to achieve them and don’t stop until you get there. Your list of goals will change — it’ll get completed, or grow longer, get thrown out, get remade, it’s as ever-changing as we are. Don’t give up on yourself.
Can you describe a recent project you completed and what your specific contributions were?
Recently an industrial manufacturing company needed an employee conference room and hired 2117 Collective to get the job done. An industrial environment calls for ultra durable materials, concise collaboration methods for the end users and versatile design solutions. I designed and personally executed the modifications for this space. It was really fun to be so hands on and see the progress toward transformation being made right in front of you.
How do you approach balancing aesthetics and functionality in your designs?
By gaining a deep understanding of how a space needs to perform and building a strong connection with its users. Once I am able to attain these two things I can incorporate my knowledge on interiors and create a meaningful experience for clients that will last for years to come.
What is your design philosophy when it comes to commercial spaces?
Knowing that the design of a commercial space will impact the lives of those in a community always leads my process which means putting resilience, safety and accessibility at the forefront of my planning. Everything else follows suit.
Where do you draw your inspiration for your designs?
The environment a space exists in often sets the tone for its design. The exploration of architectural elements, desires of the client and end-user functionality all play a huge part in what inspires me when starting a project.
What strategies do you use to ensure your designs meet the needs of the end-users?
I carefully assess and document the needs of my clients and frequently refer back to these needs when making design decisions to ensure a space will perform as intended. It might be easy to default to what you think a client needs, but truly taking the time to listen and record what the purpose of the space is and revisiting that purpose during the execution can make a good project, great.
How do you approach sustainability in your commercial projects?
I strive to design in ways that support the environment, human health and social equity in all of my projects. From building research to material selection, sustainability is always considered.
What impact do you think remote work and digital transformation will have on the design of commercial spaces?
Remote work and digital transformation have already significantly changed the way commercial spaces function and I believe they will continue to do so. The demand for a traditional office space, for example, is rare these days. Companies are adapting to hybrid schedules, offering spaces to collaborate when needed and allowing employees to finish their additional work elsewhere. The advancements are overall great for efficiency in my opinion.
What are the five things you believe are essential for creating a highly successful career in commercial design? Can you share a story or example for each?
- Communication. A big part of design is communicating — verbal, non-verbal, visual, written, more visual — all of it. It’s essential to be able to understand what your and your client’s shared goals are and how you’re going to achieve them.
- Curiosity. There is always more to learn. Get involved with organizations such as ASID. They offer endless community support, career tools and continuing education experiences that designers need to succeed.
- Trust. Trust in yourself. As a business owner, there comes a time when you must accept your responsibilities and know that you are capable of successfully handling them. It’s a never-ending learning process for everyone, not just you.
- Be Willing To Adapt. Things will inevitably not always go as planned. We can only show up as prepared as possible and be willing to adapt to changes when they arise. I’ve had plenty of projects that have had to be redirected due to product availability, timeline changes, even weather conditions. Prepare for the best and always expect some modifications.
- Creativity. It’s important to carve out time for your creative brain to grow and flourish. That will mean something different for everyone, but for me It involves cooking, spending time in my garden, researching a furniture designer, connecting with my nieces and nephews — things that bring me peace and joy and spark wonder.
What role do you think commercial design plays in community building and social interaction?
I think a remarkably designed social space has the potential to bring people together, for what can start as a simple conversation and turn into a lifelong relationship. A space can inspire and create meaning. It can facilitate conversation and spark creativity, depending on the intention.
Given your influence, if you could inspire a movement to bring the best results and solutions to the greatest number of people, what would it be? You never know what impact your idea might have!
A safe place of inclusivity. I would love to be a part of creating a space that utilized advancements in technology to support and improve the lives of those who might be marginalized, a space that offers comfortable and life enhancing living quarters for those who are unable to do so at the time, a place to grow, cook and nourish each other, a place where people can learn and evoke positive change in their lives, leading to positive changes in others.
How can our readers follow your work online?
Our YouTube is consistently updated with high quality videos of our custom furniture, specialty projects and helpful insights. Follow @2117Collective on Instagram and TikTok, @2117mfg on Pinterest and check out our Project Page at 2117collective.com!
Thank you for your time and excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
