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5 Questions With... IDCS President Cameron Woo
The award-winning interior designer is leading the Interior Design Confederation Singapore to a higher standard
Chiquit Brammall
25 May 2018
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Cameron Woo is a busy man: Having founded his eponymous firm, Cameron Woo Design in Sydney in 2000, and its Asia office in Singapore in 2005, he jets around to oversee projects in China, Singapore and Australia. He’s also a brand ambassador for Akzonobel Colour and Philips Lighting, and a guest judge and mentor on The Apartment, a regional reality TV show for budding interior designers. In 2017, the father-of-three also revitalised the Professional Development Program of the Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS), and was consequently elected as president of the association towards the end of the year.
Hear from him in this quick Q&A:
Hear from him in this quick Q&A:
How did you get your start in this profession?
Firstly, I wrote to three firms that I admired, even though they were not advertising any job vacancies. One was an architecture firm, the other was an interior design firm specialising in luxury residential and the third company was an interior design firm specialising in high-end hospitality design. The firm that specialised in high-end luxury residential properties responded to my job application, and I began my internship there. This was where my passion for high-end residential projects began.
Firstly, I wrote to three firms that I admired, even though they were not advertising any job vacancies. One was an architecture firm, the other was an interior design firm specialising in luxury residential and the third company was an interior design firm specialising in high-end hospitality design. The firm that specialised in high-end luxury residential properties responded to my job application, and I began my internship there. This was where my passion for high-end residential projects began.
Cameron Woo Design office. Photo by Tim Nolan
What’s a typical workday like for you?
I start very early in the morning, after saying goodbye to my children as they head off for school. I make all the important calls in the morning, and then I respond to urgent emails. Usually there are scheduled design meetings throughout the day with my team and clients, until the late evening.
What’s a typical workday like for you?
I start very early in the morning, after saying goodbye to my children as they head off for school. I make all the important calls in the morning, and then I respond to urgent emails. Usually there are scheduled design meetings throughout the day with my team and clients, until the late evening.
Leedon Park residence by Cameron Woo Design
As an interior designer, what 3 things do you carry with you at all times?
My sketch pad and pencil, my scale rule and a sense of humour which is essential in this industry to get through any tough issues that crop up in a day.
As an interior designer, what 3 things do you carry with you at all times?
My sketch pad and pencil, my scale rule and a sense of humour which is essential in this industry to get through any tough issues that crop up in a day.
Nassim Park Residences interior by Cameron Woo Design
How has the internet affected your industry?
The internet has affected the interior design industry tremendously. Clients can purchase furniture and accessories direct from the source and through sites like Houzz (in the US and UK) to furnish their home. This has made it more important for interior designers to offer bespoke solutions that are not readily available on the internet, but need to be custom designed by the interior designer to differentiate what we offer. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Houzz give clients inspiration for their new homes, but interior designers need to provide the professional and technical expertise to transform these inspirations into reality.
How has the internet affected your industry?
The internet has affected the interior design industry tremendously. Clients can purchase furniture and accessories direct from the source and through sites like Houzz (in the US and UK) to furnish their home. This has made it more important for interior designers to offer bespoke solutions that are not readily available on the internet, but need to be custom designed by the interior designer to differentiate what we offer. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Houzz give clients inspiration for their new homes, but interior designers need to provide the professional and technical expertise to transform these inspirations into reality.
Meyerise residence by Cameron Woo Design
How does being a part of a professional association like IDCS benefit your business?
At present, I would say that perhaps IDCS has benefitted from having professional ID firms like CWD actively participating in the association more so than the other way around. We would like to encourage more ID firms to participate actively in the association to lift interior design standards in Singapore. Some of the contributions I have been able to provide is securing AkzoNobel as IDCS’ strategic partner, bringing on new sponsors and media partners, rolling out IDCS’ Professional Development Program and working more closely with Design Singapore Council towards accreditation for our industry.
How does being a part of a professional association like IDCS benefit your business?
At present, I would say that perhaps IDCS has benefitted from having professional ID firms like CWD actively participating in the association more so than the other way around. We would like to encourage more ID firms to participate actively in the association to lift interior design standards in Singapore. Some of the contributions I have been able to provide is securing AkzoNobel as IDCS’ strategic partner, bringing on new sponsors and media partners, rolling out IDCS’ Professional Development Program and working more closely with Design Singapore Council towards accreditation for our industry.
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