My name is Michelle Kok, and I am a qualified Interior Designer with a long career background in business. With a unique blend of creative skills and analytical acumen, I bring a holistic approach to my work. My focus lies in creating functional and contemporary designs that not only inspire but also cater to the unique needs of people who inhabit those spaces.
My services are currently available for hire.
My qualifications include a Professional Diploma in Interior Design from The Interior Design School, London, accredited by the British Accreditation Council and members of the Independent Higher Education.
I also hold a double Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics (BBA BEc) from Macquarie University, Sydney.
Combining both my creative skills and business background, I am able to provide unique design solutions tailored to each client’s specific requirements.
My journey here has been quite the adventure. For fifteen years, I delved into the world of corporate banking, though deep down I knew I was a creative at heart.
Interior design became a passion of mine having worked across Australia and the EMEA region, granting me invaluable insights into the profound impact of cultural influences on architectural styles. Compounded by my lifelong interest in Art and Design & Technology, my career shift was a seamless progression into the creative field.
The Design Process
Spanning from initial client discussions on the brief, to spatial analysis, structural redesign, and material construct, I am able to reimagine a space that provides practicality and value to the client without compromising on creativity.
Research & Analysis
With a long career background in research and as an analytical thinker by nature, my designs and creative approach are based on deep research about a client, their brand image, and their ultimate goal whether that is personal or business. My analysis extends further into intricate construction solutions and materiality. The possibilities are endless and no details are missed.
Wellbeing & Biophilia
One of my strongest values is to create a space that focuses on improving the human experience on a holistic approach: mentally, emotionally and physically. Whether this is in the client’s residence, a retail environment or the office workplace, an interior architectural design should consider the impact of materials, light and natural elements on its occupants. This ensures a result that is welcoming, comforting, motivating and inspiring.
Sustainability
As interior designers in a world where ‘change’ remains the sole constant, we ultimately have a higher social responsibility to ensure that our designs, processes and materials used, have minimal impact on the environment and stand the test of time. I am continuously exploring sustainable alternatives to conventional materials while ensuring the final outcome remains uncompromised.
As a passionate hand-drawer with an acute eye for detail, I possess the adaptability to meet both intricate particulars and big picture goals.
Integrity, accountability, and meticulousness are fundamental values that have consistently guided my work, which in turn allow clients to proceed with confidence. My inherent empathy enables me to understand and fulfil client needs, and effectively delivering on project objectives.
Beyond my passion for interior design, I take comfort and joy in hand sketching objects and nature, watching foreign films, visiting museums, discovering international cuisines, and the heart fluttering art of travelling solo in a non-English speaking country.