Parterre Designer Series: Anh Tran

 

Interior designer Anh Tran has been in the field for nearly 13 years, during which time she has seen and worked in a wide variety of industries and settings – giving her a breadth of experience that is helping shape her eye and her creative spark in her current role. As a Senior Interior Designer at AP+I Design in Mountain View, California, Anh and her team are helping to transform the interiors of some of Silicon Valley’s biggest players.

Working with everyone from large corporations to small startups, she is tasked with making modern improvements in an ever-changing field, invigorating traditional commercial and office settings.

Anh took some time out of her day to share some of her insights on the design industry — including trends, where she finds inspiration, and her experience with luxury vinyl flooring.

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Parterre: What made you want to be a designer and what do you enjoy most about your job?

Anh Tran: I initially wanted to be an animator for Disney, but my parents persuaded me to use my artistic abilities in something in a more service-focused industry. Initially I was thinking it would be more about decorating and texture, but it turns out that the [design] program was a lot more technical and architectural than I expected, and I actually really enjoyed that.

The most enjoyable part is being able to problem solve, getting to switch back and forth from the left to the right side of the brain, and getting to be creative and analytical at the same time.

Parterre: What do you feel has changed the most about the design industry since you first became a designer?

AT: When I started out, all the design industries worked separately – fashion and interior design and industrial and graphic design were all separated. What I find really great now is that instead of working separately as different entities, we are working together and partnering up. The groups are all starting to fuse together, and the overall design industry is working as a community instead of separately. That makes us and our industry a lot stronger.

Parterre: Where do you find inspiration for interior design?

AT: First I usually do research on the client – where they’re from, the company history, etc. From there, my inspiration comes from certain architectural details or from a particular picture or a series of photos. I also usually go online and browse inspirational images, but it’s not necessarily about looking at another designed space. That’s what I try to avoid doing.

Parterre: In your work environment, what helps you get creative or be inspired to design? (i.e. soft music, a comfortable space to work in like a couch, natural lighting)

AT: I definitely go with soft music, and natural lighting really does help get my creativity flowing. Also, the color white – I like to keep my desk very clean so it feels like a blank palette where I can start scribbling down my ideas.

When it comes to getting that idea down and trying to develop the concept, I turn on a lot more loud, punk rock, or angsty music so that I can just focus on the work and that loud music really does get me going.

Parterre: What is one thing you need on your desk when working?

AT: Lots of tracing paper, colored pencils and nice cup of tea.

Parterre: What is your favorite design trend that you’ve seen in the industry recently?

AT: I like how the industry is fusing together. But I also really like the idea of residential and hospitality looks starting to move into the commercial spaces. It’s nice that every year or couple of years they start picking a decade that they want to re-highlight or revive and I find that really fun.

Parterre: Are there any past trends you wish would make a comeback?

AT: So far, I think they are all slowly coming back, so there isn’t any one thing in particular. Before, everything had to be white and gray, and then there was the very streamlined tech look, but then that all became too sterile. Now the residential bright colors and even the wood grains are coming back. I think what I hoped would come back, has come back.

Parterre: Can you tell us about a recent project you’ve enjoyed being a part of? What drew you to this project?

AT: There was a recent project that I worked on and what drew me to the project was more about the client’s mission statement. You get really inspired and passionate about things when you read the client’s history and how they got started, and then their mission statement really speaks to you. That’s when it becomes a little more personal when you go to design their space.

Parterre: What is a common design challenge you see when designing different spaces and how do you overcome it?

AT: Some of the things I find challenging is when there is already a developed or finished palette or the client’s vision is defined by someone else. When you’re tasked with just using that pre-existing foundation – I know this sounds easy because part of the work is done for you – but I think the hardest part is finding how to be inspired to do something that you weren’t part of from the beginning. To understand the process and how to continue it is like a guessing game.

As designers you want to start fresh and make something your own. But that’s the left brain vs. right brain – at the end of the day we are providing a service, and these require problem-solving skills.

Parterre: What design element do you typically consider first when designing a space and why? For instance, some start with the furnishings or others may start with the flooring design.

AT: For me, usually it’s the function of the space first. Its space planning, the bubble diagram, and defining where certain areas are going to be. After that, you doodle in more of the flooring and where things will transition. It also kind of coincides with the initial furniture layout that you’re thinking of as well – the furniture and the flooring really play together after I initially define where each space is allocated.

Parterre: What is your experience with using Parterre LVT or your general opinion on luxury vinyl? And where do you see LVT the most (i.e. a particular industry)?

AT: I use Parterre pretty often. For me, LVT has come a long way in developing the look, durability and price point. More and more today, we are thinking about sustainability and we can’t just cut down all these trees, but Parterre provides a product that truly resembles authentic hardwood floors. So, with concern for the environment, the industry has really moved away from the “pure” products, which I think is the way to go.

When you think about it, these spaces we all take so much time creating, the tenants only have a lease for an average of five years, and everyone has a different look they want. So, this is a lot more sustainable.

Parterre: What is your go-to product or a general design element that you try to incorporate into projects?

AT: I don’t think there’s one product I use over and over – it depends on the client and the concept. I think my signature is more how I apply those finishes and the transitions that the finishes work together both horizontally and vertically.