Beyond Design School: Trade Vendor Relationships

Bridging the Gap Between School and Reality

When I graduated with my interior design degree, I had learned CAD software programs, hand drafting, spatial planning... but then I walked into my full-time job and quickly saw firsthand I was missing some key tools that no textbook had covered. I knew there were going to be some gaps in my education. Many family and friends would tell me that college provided skills and knowledge, but a LOT would be learned on-the-job. They were right.

One area in particular that deserves more attention – trade vendor relationships. Designer-vendor relationships help our clients tremendously. When you hire a designer you aren't just paying for a design, you are paying for years of developed insider relationships that help ensure access to priority service, smooth project execution, and exclusive products.

The Underrated Importance of Trade Vendor Relationships

Hiring a designer with established, long-standing vendor relationships can elevate your project from start to finish. Without a designer, you shoulder every logistical detail—sourcing, ordering, tracking shipments, managing status updates, and navigating potential damages or backorders. By combining trusted trade partnerships with our design process, we oversee every phase and manage every detail with precision, ensuring your project unfolds seamlessly, so you can simply enjoy the transformation.

Why Trade Vendors Matter

• Access to unique, high-quality products not available to the general public.

• Ensure faster, smoother project execution thanks to established communication and trust between designer and vendor.

• Proactively resolve issues like damages, delays, or backorders with minimal disruption to the client. Often our team is handling issues you never even knew came up, saving you from unnecessary stress and giving you your time back. And these vendors want to keep us happy. We represent repeat business for them!

What I Wish I Was Taught in Design School

I do recognize my time in college was completely worthwhile and important. Countless hours were spent on technical skills, design theory, rendering, presenting ideas, etc. I was able to learn and hone my skills to provide deliverables to contractors and clients immediately upon graduation. Having this set of established skills allowed me to focus on other topics that were missing from my curriculum when I stepped into my position post-grad. Design school mixed with diverse internships provided a solid foundation. But the reality of working with real people and real-world constraints brought a new layer of complexity.

As a design student, I visited high-end trade showrooms in Chicago, gaining exposure to quality vendors but little insight into the practical steps of working with them. While I understand real-world vendor interactions can’t be fully replicated in school, design programs should cover essentials like setting up trade accounts, resale policies, and communication. While design school builds essential skills and creativity, industry relationships turn that expertise into a seamless, elevated client experience.

Design Is More Than Just Creativity

Design school gave me the technical foundation I needed, but my real-world experience is teaching me the invaluable power of relationships—especially with trade vendors. These partnerships are the behind-the-scenes magic that turn a beautiful concept into a flawlessly executed space. When you hire a designer, you’re not just getting creativity and skill; you’re gaining access to a network built on trust, experience, and shared goals for your project’s success. It’s a blend of education, practice, and connection that ensures your vision isn’t just designed, it’s delivered.

xoxo

Clara