Interior design industry has lots of potential – Akerele

Tola Akerele is the Creative Director of iDESIGN, an interior design practice based in Lagos, and the Chairperson of the planning committee of GUIDE, an exhibition by the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria. In this interview with MAUREEN IHUA-MADUENYI, she says the potential of the industry has not yet been harnessed

What is your opinion about interior design as an industry in Nigeria?

The interior design industry in Nigeria is young. There is a lot of potential. There is also a lot of misconception about what we do; so, that’s why platforms like GUIDE (Gida Uno Ile Design Exhibition) are great for passing knowledge. People need to understand that interior designers are essential in creating spaces that function properly. If you spend so much on constructing and designing a building, why wouldn’t you spend time and effort on the inside? That is the part you actually inhabit, focus on it to ensure that it is giving you what you need from the space.

Education, the GUIDE platform and trying to shape legislation are the things that the IDAN is working hard on for its members in order to build a strong interior design industry.

The current problem in the economy is having effects on almost all the sectors, how has it been on interior design?

It is certainly having an effect in our industry. The construction industry has really slowed down; in turn, it affects architecture and interior design. Many of the large projects are on hold for now. Although we are busy with residential and smaller office projects, we are hopeful that in the coming months, things will start to pick up. The theme of GUIDE this year is about looking inwards, and I am sure that many furniture suppliers will start looking at ways in which they can take our goods out to the global market so that they are not so dependent on one local market.

What are your plans towards discovering and nurturing budding talent in interior design?

With regard to GUIDE, we have a special campaign to reach and encourage emerging designers this year, specifically product designers. Rather than them paying a price for a booth, we have said for N10,000, they can display their products and have a platform where thousands of people can see their pieces. There are many seminar sessions, two in particular for those interested in entering the interior design profession. The first one is about the new diploma course starting at the University of Lagos in September, and other is giving tips for starting an interior design business.

IDAN’s education committee has also done exceptionally well. They have worked tirelessly to push for an interior design course starting in September at UNILAG. Approval has also been granted for a degree course as well. The association has been pivotal in bringing this course to UNILAG. They realise that there was a need to have good training for those who want to pursue interior design as a career without having to go outside the country.

How about talent from the grassroots waiting to be harnessed; what plans do you have to reach out to them?

The theme this year is ‘Home Grown, Home Inspired’ and we are looking inward too. We want representation from the grassroots; we also have a section for artisans who are using naturally sourced materials like bamboo, wood and raffia to make beautiful pieces. We want to encourage them and also give them a platform.

GUIDE began about four years ago, what has been its greatest achievement so far?

GUIDE is organised by IDAN. One of the aims of the association is to enhance knowledge and understanding about the profession, and to encourage cooperation between professionals with a focus on the range of work of interior designers and their contributions to the society.

The GUIDE expo has been a great platform for the general public to better understand what we do as interior designers and suppliers to the industry, be it furniture or other household items. In addition, it has been a great source of information and awareness of what is available not just to the general public, but to architects and property developers.