The Design Society gives you the education and coaching from top experts alongside peer-to-peer accountability groups so you can go from ‘they didn’t teach me this is design school’ to nailing it.
You’re having your own Elle Woods moment ‘What? Like, is it hard?’
Reach your potential in business and beyond.
SOLD OUT ‘The Design Process’ program.
IS IT TIME YOU TRANSFORMED YOUR BUSINESS?
It’s time to design again through implementing an 8 step design process.
I have worked on projects that went around in circles, revision after revision, swimming in a sea of indecisiveness (it sucks) and I wondered if it was even worth it. Maybe I’m not cut out for this, any positions going at the local ice-cream shop, that looks more fun!
How do others make this look so easy? What am I doing wrong here?
I had a basic 5 step process that I picked up from working at architectural practices, but it just wasn’t enough when it comes to working on interior design projects. It was too vague, meetings were endless, shopping days here and there and who knew what ‘paid on completion’ actually means when nothing seems actually ‘complete’.
When do I find time to design?
Fee proposals, process, not to mention branding, instagram - it’s a LOT!
You’re sweating because you’re meeting with a potential new client with an amazing property tomorrow and you don’t have the SLIGHTEST idea how to talk to them, what to charge and how this is all going to work! Plus, you have no one to turn to.
Ever sat alone at your desk, down to the last Tim-Tam at 1am preparing yet another round of selections for the client that just can’t decide?
You have your qualification, you have a bit of experience under your belt but you are so confused; hourly or fixed rate? Pass on trade prices or add a fee, and how much? What if your fee ‘scares’ the client off, or what if it’s too low and you end up doing a lot of work free? Send HELP!
You thought that running your own business would give you more time and flexibility – ha! If only. You’ve taken on waaaay to many projects and charged waaaay to little, you can see that now. You’re exhausted and under-appreciated.
Don’t you just wish that you could focus on what you love to do more than anything; DESIGN. Why is all this other business stuff just so hard?
“I can’t even begin to describe how helpful this inspiring community has been to my day to day.”
I often find myself replaying some sessions as background noise while I work away and love feeling like I’m sitting in an office with like-minded creatives.”
We alternate sessions; one week we meet up as we deep dive into a step of the design process.
The next week we meet again for a group coaching session.
You get the chance to take in the information and then come back with thoughts, questions and comments in the group coaching. It all happens online and you can choose to join us, or not. How ever you feel comfortable. But know that I am here for you, anytime.
Amber Lewis
We are honored to talk to Amber inside The Design Society and get a glimpse into what it it takes to run a hugely successful design practice. So I’m not going to introduce Amber Lewis because you’re already all over her instagram, books, shoppe, furniture and rug lines etc, etc! Amber graciously shares the process of her install days and it’s an incredibly rare insight into just how she does it all. You just don’t get this type of mentoring anywhere else!
Deborah Bibby
Deborah has 20+ years experience leading teams across print, product and digital in the interior design and fashion space. The founding editor-in-chief of award-winning interior magazine and lifestyle brand real living. Deborah conceived, launched and hosted the School of real living, the event component of the real living brand.
Paul Hecker
We met with Paul Hecker to discuss Design Concepts and this session just keeps on giving. We were overwhelmingly inspired and grateful to Paul for graciously sharing just how Hecker Guthrie continues to be the leader in Australian Interior Design. What do they present to clients, how do they do it and what it all looks like, up close. This is SUCH a rare insight delivered with enthusiasm and humour.
Colin King
As the go-to interiors stylist for the world’s leading brands and publications, Colin King has defined the style of modern American design. We are thrilled to talk to Colin inside TDS. We found that not only is he extremely talented, he is kind, warm and humble. With the founding of Colin King Studio, his successful foray into interior styling, and now product design. We are captivated.
Decus
If you’re a solo designer, it’s not often that you get to see how a top-tier interior design practice works. Alexandra Donohoe Church shares the inner-workings of how they manage one of their widely-recognised projects. The concept, client feedback, documentation and even shop drawings. If this is your love-language, then you’re one of us. It was truly an incredibly generous insight and Alexandra is an incredible designer.
Athena Calderone
Talking to Athena Calderone is just as you imagine. She is innately stylish yet still warm and generous with sharing her knowledge. We were given an insight into her furniture collection before it was launched and she hinted at what was to come - she has A LOT going on! Her multidisciplinary creative work spans design and entertaining, she is an author, designer, influential creator and so many things. So inspiring.
Karen McCartney
Karen McCartney is best known for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design across print and digital media (editing marie claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazines) and more recently as the editorial director of Temple & Webster, driving their award-winning blog. Karen brings a breadth of editorial expertise to The Design Society.
Jess Villela
Jess is a firm favorite inside The Design Society. She is based in San Diego and we go back a few years now as we met in a creative group. I just knew that we would all just click inside TDS. She understands what it takes to sell in a way that feels great AND changes the world. These skills are transferable across platforms, and they give YOU the power to gain financial freedom through your business.
Fiona Killackey
Fiona joined us to talk about money mapping and what an eye-opening session it was. She has almost two decades experience working with large and small brands. Fiona leads My Daily Business Coach, a consultancy company that helps business owners understand, create, analyse and improve their marketing, branding, content and overall business strategies.
Not only do you go through the live Design Process course (which is all recorded if you can’t join live), you have access to a selection of our favorite past experts, as above.
Draw on their knowledge, implement their tips right away or just get your design mojo back.
This is so valuable on it’s own, they are incredible.
Join us live online every Monday and kick off the week with a positive momentum.
We got you!
If you are a solopreneur, I see you all alone out there! You know how lonely it can be. Your family ask when are you going to get a ‘real job’ and your friends make plans for the weekend and you ask ‘sorry, what is a weekend?’ You know that connecting with other designers that ‘get it’ is priceless. The Design Socialites are an amazing group of dedicated designers and we can’t wait to meet you!
Learn together
This isn’t like other courses that you sign up for and never actually do. We meet bi-weekly to cover the course content (the alternating week is group coaching) and there are downloads, real-life examples of work and samples pitches to magazines and ANYTHING else you want to see, I am sharing it with you. I take you inside how I manage my marketing and also into a photoshoot day. And if you can’t join the live session, it is all recorded and there in writing, if you prefer to skim through notes. I can’t say I’ve seen any other course like it.
Let’s work it out
We ask questions, share what’s happening in our week, basically talk shop. It’s a safe space (no facebook algorithms) to chat amongst friends. We put our experiences together to help you out with a current situation. We’re also here to celebrate your wins; you project published in the mags, award nominations, new branding or just landing that project that you really wanted.
An extensive video library
The Design Society has been going for over 18 months and wow, we have hundreds of hours of business insights from leaders in their area; branding, SEO, Email marketing, getting published, confidence coaches, money mindset etc. Let’s not forget that sometimes we want to feel inspired too, so we invited Athena Calderone of Eye-Swoon and world renowned stylist Colin King to chat with, amongst others. It’s a lot, and I think you’ll love it. Oh, and I’m here anytime with my 20 years of design experience, you can send me a DM or ask the group. I’m here for you.
BEFORE WE GO FURTHER I WANT YOU TO KNOW
Here’s why: we want to work with designers who are READY to supercharge their business and fast-forward their growth! If this sounds like you, then we’ll fit perfectly!
But we won’t be a good fit if…
interior design is a hobby for you
your design business is less than one year old
you aren’t dedicated to running a professional design practice
you’re looking for a quick solution to solve your business problems
you’re not an ‘action taker’, this does require you to be ready to get going.
If you’re looking for something entry level, we can point you in the right direction! Click below to check out our beginner friendly courses.
Oh and if you’ve been a member previously, get in touch if you want to jump back in and I’ll honour the same rate you joined at.
Lauren Li, Founder of Sisällä Interior Design, The Design Society & The Apartment
I’m an interior designer that loves to talk about interior design. I write about design, speak about it and basically live and breathe design.
Want to know what lights me up? Helping other women live a creative life, win great projects, get published and charge more for sharing their design talents with their clients.
So I created The Design Society so that we can pass on knowledge.
Sisalla isn’t a hobby, it’s our family business. My husband works as the CEO, CFO and procurement manager (we wear many hats). And yes, we are one of those weird couples that actually LOVES working together. We can’t believe how lucky we are to work on gorgeous projects for great clients in between school drop-offs and holding the baby.
I founded interior design studio, Sisällä in 2012 when I had my first baby (thought I’d have some free time - ha!) We’re based in Melbourne, Australia.
I have more than 20 years of experience across the residential, retail, and commercial sectors, and holds a Bachelor of Design, Interior Design (Honours) from Swinburne, and a Diploma of Arts, Interior Design & Decoration from RMIT.
Sisällä’s projects have been recognised by several awards programs, including the Australian Interior Design Awards, and as a five-time finalist of House & Garden's Top 50 Rooms.
Always one to share my passions in the hope that we can elevate the interior design industry and go GREAT work for our clients.
If you’re read this far, then THANK YOU!
Lauren
As Seen In
Module 1: Client Onboarding
It sets the tone for the project, so we want to get off on the right foot, don’t we! How to structure the fees and if a consultation is paid or not. It’s all about confidence, baby so we have tips to help with that.
Module 2: Schematic Design
How to develop and present a concept that really connects with the client on a deeper level than ‘I like it’. When they are invested, they’re on board and let me tell you, when it comes to invoicing things are a heck of a lot easier!
Module 3: Trade Day
You walk out of that meeting and you want to high-five yourself. I guide you on how to do it, step-by-step.
Module 4: Design Development
The design progresses into something that our trades can quote from. I show you examples of various project types.
Module 5: Construction Documentation
Let’s explore all that is included in a drawing package.
Module 6: Design Management
Communication is key, but how to keep on track with so many balls in the air?
Module 7: Installation
It’s not like a ‘big reveal’ on tv, so let’s manage the clients expectations around this
Module 8: Project Completion and Photoshoot
Hang on, is a photoshoot is part of the design process? Yep, sure is. We loan all sorts of props, whatever it takes to pull it off.
We’re here for you, all you need to do is carve out an hour per week to turn up and give yourself some ‘thinking time.’ There are a few mindset shifts happening but it is becoming so clear!
Now you can implement the learnings and download the templates to use in your business right away. You’re shaping the business that you’ve always wanted and when faced with challenges along the way… don’t worry. We’ve got you!
Now you’re understanding what to do, you’re building confidence, you’re making changes and guess what? You’re seeing the results! Sending higher fee proposals AND winning them, running projects more efficiently, creating elevated design concepts and reaching your potential.
40+
industry professionals to connect with
1
design process to rule them all
20+
years of real-life industry experience
3
happy dances per week*
*minimum
“It's honest and ever so relevant support and learning.”
Lauren has a wonderful, warm way of teaching and guiding us through the challenges of running our own business. Her creative content and guest visitors have been fabulous. If you're looking to grow and improve in a fun, supportive group, I highly recommend you jump on board!
- Carlie Fraser of Hygge Design -
“I’m feeling more confident to charge my clients for the value I add to the projects, instead of charging hourly rates.”
Lauren's insight and mentorship, the contacts and speaker series...it has been incredible. I now have a better understanding of methods to implement in my design process. Thank you Lauren.
- Ruth of Kaamer Design -
“The Design Society provides helpful and actionable guidance.”
Even as someone who has been in the interior industry for many years, there are always things you can improve in your business from process to strategy. The Design Society provides helpful and actionable guidance to do just this with the support of other designers with their own wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer.
- Bree Leech -
LET’S TALK:
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
Monthly payment to gain access to the tools and knowledge that will help you live a fulfilled life as an interior designer
Instant access to our courses: TDS Contributors (our favorite previous trainings), Trends, TDS Tips, etc
Instant access to our pre-recorded guest speaker sessions (these are beyond inspiring!)
3-month membership commitment
Charge more
& attract your
DREAM clients.
