From ArtEZ to Creative Director: Jaël on interior architecture, style and strategy
- Architecture and...
Jaël Noordhof graduated in 2016 from the Bachelor Interior Architecture at ArtEZ. Now, she is the owner of UNSCRIPTED. “Every day is different. One moment I’m working on concept development, the next I’m meeting with clients or visiting a construction site.”
UNSCRIPTED focuses on storytelling: shaping narratives through interior and spatial design. “My work as a creative director is very diverse: I lead a design team, organize events, and work on our vision. And I still often find myself at the drawing table.”
Why Interior Architecture at ArtEZ?
At age 17, Jaël already knew she wanted to attend art school. She was so sure that during orientation, she only visited one school: ArtEZ. “Focusing on the ‘why’ behind design really appealed to me. At ArtEZ I learned how to design and really think about the meaning of space.”
The freedom within the course allowed her to discover her own style and working method. Jaël’s time at ArtEZ was a journey of discovery. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Looking back, I should have enjoyed it even more, taken fewer part-time jobs!”
From studying to working
After graduating, Jaël realized she needed time to progress into the professional field. She took a year to experiment by running her own projects and creating things. “I worked in a shed, wonderfully free. But I missed a team and the dynamics of collaboration.” That led her to UNSCRIPTED, where she found herself working with her former classmates, now as colleagues.
“Being here doesn’t feel like working. It’s an extension of my studies, with more impact.”
Interior Architecture is more than designing
For Jaël, interior architecture is about balance. “I navigate between being creative and working within boundaries without feeling restricted.” She emphasizes the importance of listening and observing. “I want to understand why people ask for something. By uncovering the underlying needs, I can design with more focus – and more freedom.”
From art school to the workplace
“At ArtEZ, I had complete freedom, but in the workfield I encountered limitations.” That transition can be challenging. “It felt like my creativity disappeared at first, but you learn to deal with that.”
Jaël discovered that collaboration with others actually stimulates her creativity. “I put my focus on what I’m good at. For the rest, I find people who excel in other things. That creates space to grow and expand into the work.”
Working as an interior architect
Is it easy to find work in interior architecture? “The market fluctuates, but if you’re good, there are always opportunities.” Sometimes she gets a hundred applications for a vacancy, sometimes almost none. “It helps if you’re flexible and keep developing yourself. Networking is also important. In this field, you often run into the same people, so collaborations happen quickly.”
She notices that interior architects increasingly work in a multidisciplinary way. “Many designers combine interior architecture with graphic design, product design or scenography. That makes you more versatile.”
Choosing a course? Go for it!
Jaël: “Don’t worry too much about choosing a course. At ArtEZ, you learn to think like a designer, and that opens many doors. The world and the profession are constantly changing, so don’t be afraid to go with the flow. No choice is forever."
About the Bachelor Interior Architecture
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