Meet Emily Woodall | Spatial Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Woodall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

I decided to peruse a creative career for the fulfillment and satisfaction I would feel during the creative process. For me, there is no greater feeling than stepping back and seeing work you’ve physically built be enjoyed by others. Something you’ve imagined having a footprint in the world.

As a child, I would always look forward to our Making Day at home, my parents would save the empty cereal boxes, milk cartons, carboard tubes and anything else that I could use to create my little world. I would be so excited to tape all the objects together and imagine they were my new Ghost Busters machine or Barbie Car. My grandfather was a mechanic, he would show me around his shop, work on his cars and let me build little trinkets from off-cuts of wood which I would cover in color – a similar theme throughout my work.

Being fascinated with different materials and how I can use them in my work, eventually led my creative inner child to a path in 3D design focusing on Set Design for the theatre and events. Being able to physically see and experience a space that was once on paper and into reality is the reason I chose and continue to peruse a career Spatial Design. I feel lucky that I have the opportunity and a responsibility to change a person’s feelings and mood through an environment I have created. To be part of an industry that allows me to alter and transform the spaces around us is what keeps me passionate, inventive & driven.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have a strong theme throughout my work, I love the use of color and geometric shapes and find myself merging 80’s print with the symmetry seen in Art Deco Architecture. I try to be bold in my work especially as most of the parameters I’m working within are grey saturated landscapes that need to feel inviting. I believe this differentiates me from others, the commitment to colors and shapes in an environment where they wouldn’t naturally fit. Empty spaces can scare some, but I thrive, give me a blank canvas I can throw myself at.

I’m most proud of my commitment to perusing a creative career. It was not easy, its hard work! It’s not the career where you log off at 5pm, it’s a 24hr drive and typically you’re always finding ways you could improve your work, so you’re always on the clock. It’s my passion that has kept me going and in turn I believe led me to the US, hopping across the pond from London – The Imperial system trips me up occasionally but I’m getting there. I’m excited about my next venture in the US, so much to see and learn.

Challenges will come along, some big, some small. Some you’ll deal with in the moment and some you have more time to conquer. I remember interviewing for a design position when I was desperate to get into the Retail Design world. I spent hours crafting my portfolio to suit the company whilst going out of my way to set myself briefs so I could show I truly wanted to work for their team. The interviewer stopped me mid talking and told me I would only be good as a Project Manager and didn’t have the skills as a designer – by skills they meant the technical drafting on the computer, not my creatively, idea generation and thinking outside of the box; but how well I could draw using the click of a mouse. Perhaps I wasn’t the best technical designer at the time, but he looked straight through my enthusiasm and willingness to learn. I was mortified and it did knock my confidence, however this gave me nothing but drive to prove to myself that I could be the designer I wanted to be. I’d hone in on my computer skills, but more importantly learnt where my strengths lie. Perhaps not on the computer but by creating in the physical world.

I can design all day long, but without the help and support of talented builders my work will always be on the page. The other way around, builders have nothing to build without a design. Big or small challenges typically occur on most projects, some more important than others, however no one can do it alone. You’ve got to put those ego’s down and work as one. My greatest achievement is when we can all take a step back and be proud of what we’ve collectively produced.

If we were talking about my personal brand, it would be the designer that takes empty spaces and transforms them into social places. I will continue to work on this being my niche to show the world that the most unlikely locations can be transformed to a space that can bring so much joy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I recently had a friend visit for a week and the following itinerary was perfect. I would recommend this for a week trip on the West side of LA.

Monday
Beach Workout or Spin class on the Beach, followed by breakfast on the beach from Great White.

If it’s a sunny day, being on the beach on a Monday it lovely, nice and quiet. I would then head to a rooftop bar to watch the sunset.

Tuesday
Using Resort Pass, book a hotel pool for the day. I recommend Hotel June, the interior of the hotel is cool and quirky and has a nice and relaxing energy.

Wednesday
Take a bike ride down to Manhattan Beach in the morning to get some breakfast. It’s a 2-3hr, 20-mile round trip along the coast. In the evening, Santa Monica Comedy Club has a great Improv. night.

Thursday
If you’re in LA for a week, you’ve got to see the Hollywood Sign. Hike in the morning and then visit the Academy of Motion Pictures as you’re in the same area. Fantastic gallery.

Friday
Winston House is great for live music, or even Sofar sounds for something more relaxed.

Saturday
Beach run, bike ride, or another activity followed by some drinks at the Waterfront. Great weekend vibes in the sunshine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Event Designer & Director, Jacqui Partridge from Partridge Events, hired me as an intern after I graduated from college. She took the time to educate and show me around the event world. She understood my passion for design and mentored me allowing my confidence to grow as I began my creative journey.

Firecracker Works is really where I began to develop my skills in the Set & Spatial Design industry. Specializing in design and fabrication techniques with a team of talented builders, is where I had the opportunity to grow my knowledge and understand how you can physically transform a space. I owe this company a special thanks for their patience and willingness to show me how to design in spaces, without this mentoring I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Rooftop Cinema Club gave me the opportunity to really dive into Spatial design. They trusted me with their movie theaters and cocktail bar venues across the US and the UK and allowed me the creative freedom to choose how I wanted the spaces to work. They gave me blank canvases to work with where I had the opportunity to design every inch of the space. I really owe a huge thanks to them for believing in my vision and running with my ideas.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colour_jam_/

Other: DESIGN CREDITS 1) https://www.timeout.com/miami/news/miamis-first-rooftop-theater-finally-has-an-opening-date-051222 2) https://secretmiami.com/dont-miss-weekend-plans/ 3) https://www.boredpanda.com/i-took-a-space-up-top-and-transformed-it-into-a-color-pop-over-and-over-again/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic 4) https://vergemagazine.co.uk/where-to-go-now-bussey-rooftop-bar/

Image Credits
Rooftop Cinema Club