Silja Tikkanen (pronounced SIHL-Yah, TEAK-ah-nehn), LEED AP, doesn’t need to depend on luck. This native of Espoo, Finland, which lies just outside of the capital city of Helsinki, knows how to create her own good fortune by combining hard work and a sunny attitude with innate talent. Need proof” In December 2006 she graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a BS in Environments, Textiles and Design (Interior Design), and just three years later she won the interior design lottery (so to speak) when she was honored as the 25,000th NCIDQ certificate holder. Read on to find out how she traveled from Finland to fledgling designer to (somewhat) famous in the industry.

What made you want to pursue a career related to the interior design industry”

I have always been fascinated by human behavioral studies and architecture. My uncle, who also happens to be my godfather, started his own architecture firm in Finland when he was still in school. Today, his firm is one of the biggest and best-known firms in the country. Due to his eccentric, yet extremely entrepreneurial and driven nature, I always admired him but thought his line of work seemed intimidating. I think he was trying to train me to be his successor from a young age, but it took me until college to realize that maybe the design field actually was a great fit for me.

Did you consider any other majors besides interior design”

Upon entering my first years of college, I considered engineering, psychology, fine arts, and business. I struggled balancing my artistic abilities with my strengths in math and science. Luckily, I found interior design that seemed to be a perfect match with all my interests. Through the last couple years I have loved working with graphics and branding, and have considered going back to school for graphic design.

How was your design school experience compared to what you thought it would be and has your original impression of the industry changed”

My design school experience was very enriching as it met my expectations in regards to offering a full range of classes from multiple disciplines. I loved learning not only about design, but also architectural history, business, psychology, and many other subjects relevant to the profession.

One of the most frustrating things throughout my college years was trying to explain to others that, in fact, I was getting a well-rounded education and not getting a degree in “picking pillows” like many assumed. I like to call this confusion amongst the general population between interior design and decorating the “HGTV effect”. Regardless, upon graduation, I felt ready for the “real world”. 

As I started my first job, however, I realized that I was quite ill prepared to handle the everyday tasks of my position, such as producing construction details, scheduling, and budget limitations. Talking to recent graduates, it seems that design curriculums are changing to better prepare students for these vital tasks and realistic design challenges. My advice to currents students would be to fully take advantage of the support from your teachers, and try to take the practical aspects of design education to heart, as it will truly serve you well as you begin your career.

How did you land your first job, what were your responsibilities, and what did you learn from the experience”

For my last semester of school I worked a full-time internship at Strang, Inc., an architectural/engineering/interiors firm in Madison, Wisconsin. After five months, I was offered a permanent position as an interior designer/architectural technician. The firm specializes in science and technology projects, along with corporate, government, and cultural project types.

My responsibilities went far beyond my initial expectations. My duties as interior designer included creating programming reports, space planning, selecting interior finishes and fixtures, and casework design and detailing. In addition, I actively gained architectural experience creating construction documents for both new construction and remodeling projects, along with code research, and construction administration.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of accepting every task with open arms regardless of its initial appeal. In my opinion, a well-rounded designer grasps the entire building design process, and in turn, knows how to deliver the client’s desired look without ever compromising function.

What other positions have you held and what are you doing now”

During my search I came across an opportunity at Kahler Slater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to help out with marketing and project graphics support. For five months I helped with 3-D modeling, hand rendering, and miscellaneous interiors assignments.

As a result of my fiancée being offered a position in Chicago, I have been looking for the right design opening in a very competitive market in the Windy City. I am still in search of a fulfilling and challenging interior design position at an architectural/engineering firm in Chicago, and look forward to beginning my next endeavor.

What has been the biggest surprise about getting out into the “real world” of interior design practice”

The biggest surprise coming from my days as a student to the real world is the heavy allocation of time required for coordination, budgeting, code research, detailing, and documentation. Also, I have learned that efficient decision making and effective presentation and “sales” techniques are key components to a successful and profitable project. It is important for an interior designer to confidently guide their clients, while listening to their needs and desires. My previously indecisive nature was quickly put to the challenge, and I have learned to trust my instincts and efficiently make decisions.

You were recognized November 2009 at the NCIDQ Annual Meeting as the 25,000th NCIDQ Certificate Holder. How surprised were you about this circumstance and what did it mean to you”

It was a great honor and privilege to be able to attend the NCIDQ Annual Meeting in San Antonio. I was extremely surprised by the recognition, as I know I am only one of so many designers who have taken the next step in their careers by taking the NCIDQ exam. The certification to me means advancement in my career, and it stands as a testament to my competency a designer. It was great to be recognized amongst so many accomplished professionals who take licensing and certification seriously and support the advancement of the interior design profession.

Are you a member of any professional organizations” If so, which ones, what have you gotten out of them so far, and what do you hope to get out of them in the future”

Currently I am in transition between states, and hence am not a member of a professional organization. I look forward to getting more acquainted to the Illinois chapters of ASID and IIDA and finding where I fit in the best. In the past, I have been both a student and professional member of ASID, and have enjoyed the networking opportunities and resources professional organizations have to offer. They haven proven to be a wonderful tool to get connected and rooted in the design community.

What do you hope to be doing by 2015″

By the year 2015, professionally I hope to still be having fun everyday at a fulfilling job that challenges me. I would love to be involved in project management, and possibly teaching design to students part-time at a local college or university. Personally, I hope to be blessed with a family of my own, with extended family and friends nearby. Also, I hope to be able to dedicate more of my available free time to community service and my go-to stress relievers: drawing and painting.

On a more personal note…

What do like to treat yourself to on your birthday”
A good glass of wine, great friends, and lots of chocolate!

What’s the last good movie you saw and why did you love it”
Although I feel a little embarrassed admitting to this, Disney movies are my favorites! The last good movie I saw was UP. I love the idea that it is never too late to embark on another adventure and to follow your dreams, no matter how farfetched they may seem.

What magazines do you read for fun”
As of late, lots and lots of bridal magazines to get ideas for my upcoming wedding. Normally however, I like browsing through Interior Design magazine and Architectural Digest, along with the very occasional gossip tabloid (my guilty pleasure).

Where do you consider home”
Although I have lived in the U.S. for the last 12 years, I still have very close connections to Finland, and with all of my extended family still living there, I think I will always consider it my “home”.

Where do you hope to take a vacation this year”
Although I always love to travel back to Finland, this year my fiancée and I hope to go on a honeymoon to either Costa Rica or Hawaii. I’m looking forward to trying something completely new and adventurous. Zip lines, here we come!

Work for a firm in Chicago and looking for a talented interior designer to add to your team” Then we would advise contacting Silja ASAP and snapping her up before anyone else does: sktikkanen@gmail.com. We bet she’ll be your team’s Lady Luck.