SIX YEARS ago, 30-year-old Karen Bradley made the huge decision to pursue her childhood ambition to become an Interior Designer. Karen combined studying with caring for daughter Keira, now six, and despite having to overcome several personal setbacks during that time, she has emerged triumphant, graduating from the University of Essex Southend with a BA(Hons) in Interior Design.

Karen began her studies with a correspondence course in Interior Design with the London based Regent Academy . She says: “This is something that I had wanted to do from a young age; when I was a child my parents would regularly come home to find that I had rearranged all the furniture in the lounge. The Diploma gave me the opportunity to find out whether or not this really was for me.”

After leaving school Karen worked in sales and helped to set up and generate business for a joinery company but this did not allow her to pursue her creative ambitions and she left the firm after Keira was born.

Although, interior design was a complete change of direction, Karen quickly realised that she had been right to follow her instincts and her natural flair and ability was recognised at the conclusion of her degree course six years later, when she was presented with a KSS Design Group outstanding achievement award.

Karen went on to take a BTEC in Interior Design, two evenings a week for two years, at the University of Essex Southend and, following on from this success, enrolled on the degree course. It was then that things suddenly became a lot more difficult.

Having to cope with both the separation from her partner and the death of her father during the first year of her degree tested Karen’s determination. On top of that, she found that the workload had become a lot harder.

Karen says: “The degree was much higher paced, involving more hours both in and out of college and I had several projects to work on simultaneously. At the same time, I was trying to cope with being a single mum and worrying about whether I would still be able to study and support Keira.”

At that time, first time degree students didn’t have to pay for their course fees and Karen was also eligible for a student loan and parents’ learning allowance. Keira attended the University’s Jungle Cats nursery in Southend and Karen received help with her nursery fees.

Nevertheless, it was a worrying time, as Karen points out: “It really wasn’t clear exactly what I was entitled to until after I had committed myself to the course which was a giant leap of faith. It all worked out in the end but I don’t feel that there was sufficient advice available beforehand to help me reach the decision to continue. If I hadn’t been so passionate about what I was doing, I might well have given up.”

Even then, it wasn’t always plain sailing and she had to learn to juggle the demands of being a mother and studying. She says: “One tutor told me that when you are studying for a degree you have to be prepared to put your life on hold but when you are a mum you just can’t do that.”

Luckily, most of Karen’s tutors were more understanding and she had supportive family and friends on hand to help out. She even managed to work part time for an architect to learn how to operate AutoCAD, a computerised design package and a skill she would need in order to draw up plans for future clients.

Karen explains: “A lot of interior designers concentrate on soft furnishings but what I do is more detailed, involving spacial planning and computerised drawing. For example, if a client wanted to convert their dinning room and lounge into one room, I would be able to advise them on whether they could safely knock the wall down and of any supporting structures they might need. I would then draw up plans on the computer, making the best use of the space they had available.”

During her final year, as well as researching and writing a 9,000-word dissertation, Karen also had to help organise an exhibition to display students’ work at Brick Lane in London. She designed and made three models to show at the exhibition which ran for a week, and was on hand to discuss her work with visitors.

The next step for Karen is a four week business course to find out if it is feasible for her to start up her own interior design business or whether she should look for employment and build up her experience. “I have to decide what is best for me and Keira,” says Karen “and I’m not sure at the moment which direction I’m going to go. I’m hoping that the business course will clarify matters for me.”

Karen says: “I would advise anyone thinking of retraining to go for it. The best way forward is to do a short, taster course to check that it is right for you and then take the plunge. You have nothing to lose and you never know what you can achieve until you try.”


INFORMATION:
The Regent Academy (courses in Interior Design)
Tel: 080037281 or visit www.regentacademy.com

University of Essex Southend
(BTEC and BA(Hons) in Interior Design
Course information: 01702 339888
Or visit www.essex.ac.uk/southend

For advice on current fees and funding please refer to the university website.

Jungle Cats Nursery (students only)
Tel: 0800 378281