An interview with Pepa Casado, trends lecturer for the Master’s in Interior Design
We chatted with Pepa Casado, trend forecaster and lecturer for the Master’s in Interior Design, at her studio Future-A, a consultancy specialising in trends. We will learn about her day-to-day life, her professional career, and what it means to be an ESDESIGNER.
Hello, Pepa! How did your professional career in the world of design begin?
Honestly, it was somewhat unplanned. I am not a designer, but I studied social research. Fifteen years ago, I was called to handle the sociological and anthropological side of a design trends project, and since then, I fell in love with everything surrounding product and interior design. Throughout all these years, I have had the opportunity to learn so much from both companies and designers... it is a profession I wouldn’t change for anything in the world!
What is your day-to-day like at the studio?
My day actually starts in bed. I have the bad habit of picking up my phone as soon as I wake up and checking the news for half an hour. From there, my usual day begins by answering emails and resolving pending matters. Since my work involves the strategic side of projects rather than planning, I try to spend a couple of hours each day disconnected from my mobile phone so I can reflect and think. This time is fundamental for me.
What do you believe are the most relevant trends in interior design?
We must ask ourselves what we want to achieve with the space—what the objective is. From there, certain aspects related to trends should always be in the background. One of these is sustainability, understanding how we can generate positive impacts on the environment through spaces. Another would be how spaces have become an element of wellbeing. We need to start thinking about spaces not only for their aesthetics or functionality but also for the effect they have on our wellbeing. In this sense, work with textures and colours in recent years has focused on this.
What do you think is essential to learn in a Master’s in Interior Design?
A Master’s in Interior Design must have a strategic vision. Interior design is not just about creating beautiful spaces, but about making a positive impact on the people who use that space. Being clear about the experience the user should have, both in the home and at work, is essential. This is an added value I try to contribute in the subject I lead for the Master’s at ESDESIGN.
What makes a good interior designer?
There is something every interior designer should have: empathy. Mastering the technical side and knowing the trends is very important, but knowing the client and capturing their needs is fundamental to any project.
Throughout all these years, I have had the opportunity to learn so much from both companies and designers... it is a profession I wouldn’t change for anything in the world!
What makes ESDESIGN unique as a school?
Something I love and notice in every edition is that the students are very passionate about what they study. I like the relationship and interaction established between them. The conversation and dialogue they have are part of effective learning and something that is not easy to achieve in an online school.
What does being an ESDESIGNER mean to you?
For me, it means commitment. Being committed to what you study and putting passion and drive into it. It’s something I always notice in the students, as if it were something "magical".
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a designer?
I would tell them to look a lot. Observe what other professionals are doing, but not only in your field. See what those dedicated to art, product design, communication, etc., are doing. Looking and training your eye is fundamental, and part of a designer's job consists of that—being able to look in different ways.
