Every design career starts with education, but it’s shaped by what happens next.
For Shanthi O’Connell, that journey didn’t just lead to a career in interior design, it led to the creation of her own platform, InteriAssist. With a strong academic foundation and years of hands-on experience supporting designers with CAD documentation, 3D modelling, renderings and workflow systems, Shanthi saw first-hand how much operational pressure sits behind great design. Instead of ignoring it, she built a solution around it.
In this Alumni Spotlight, Shanthi reflects on her time as a student, the realities of working within the industry, and how those experiences shaped the development of InteriAssist. It’s an honest look at what happens after graduation, when creativity meets process and ambition turns into something tangible.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what first sparked your interest in interior design?
Creativity has always been part of my life. My father is an architect, so I grew up around drawings, plans, and conversations about design. From a young age, I loved drawing and art — it felt natural to me.
As I got older, I realised interior design was the perfect balance between creativity and technical structure. It allowed me to combine artistic expression with spatial planning and precision. Seeing how design could transform not just a space, but how people experience it, made me confident this was the right path.
I completed the Diploma in Professional Interior Design at the National Design Academy, followed by the Foundation Degree (FdA) and BA (Hons) in Interior Design delivered in partnership with Staffordshire University. I later continued my education by earning a Master of Science in Interior Architecture from the Boston Architectural College (USA).
What attracted you to study with the National Design Academy at the time?
Living in India, the ability to study remotely was incredibly important. The NDA offered recognised qualifications that I could complete from anywhere without compromising on quality.
I was drawn to the structured and professional approach of the courses. They aligned with real industry standards and focused on both creativity and technical competence.
I also appreciated the supportive learning environment — the tutors were friendly and genuinely helpful. The VLS (Virtual Learning Studio) platform was organised and easy to navigate, and the student community created a sense of connection, even while studying remotely.
How did studying with the NDA fit around your life and other commitments?
The flexibility made a huge difference.
Because the course was remote, I could structure my learning around other commitments and gradually build my skills in a sustainable way.
During my time at the NDA, I completed three remote internships as part of the professional proactive components. These internships were incredibly valuable. They gave me real-world exposure while I was still studying — and importantly, they led to ongoing professional relationships.
Several years later, I went on to do freelance 3D work for some of the same designers I had interned with, in addition to supporting many other interior designers globally on a freelance basis. One of those internships also led to me becoming a junior designer remotely for two years.
Looking back, is there anything from your time at the NDA that still influences the way you work today?
Absolutely.
The focus on technical accuracy, drafting discipline, and professional presentation continues to influence how I work daily.
The professional proactive components — especially the internships — helped me understand client expectations, workflow, communication, and timelines in real projects.
What did your career path look like after completing your course?
After completing my internships, I worked remotely as a junior designer for one of the companies I had trained with for two years.
After that, I transitioned fully into freelance work and began specialising in 3D SketchUp modelling, CAD drafting, and photorealistic interior renderings.
For the past 8+ years, I’ve supported interior designers worldwide — primarily in the USA — providing remote technical design production support.
I’ve also been tutoring SketchUp for over 6 years, delivering live Zoom tutorials and collaborative real-time modelling sessions where designers and I convert their ideas into 3D together.
Freelance Portfolio:
www.3dinteriorrenderstudio.com
What led you to set up InteriAssist?
While freelancing for over eight years in 3D modelling, CAD drafting, and rendering support, I repeatedly saw interior designers asking in Facebook groups: “Does anyone know someone who knows this software?” or “I need urgent CAD help.”
There was consistent demand — but no structured, industry-specific place to search.
Designers were relying on informal referrals or generic freelance marketplaces that weren’t built around real interior design production workflows.
That gap inspired me to create InteriAssist — a niche, directory-first platform structured specifically around how interior design studios actually operate in production.
How would you describe InteriAssist and the mission behind it?
InteriAssist is a niche, B2B professional directory built specifically for interior design production support.
It is not a generic freelance marketplace and it is not a bid-based platform.
The platform is structured around real production workflows, including CAD drafting, 3D modelling, rendering & visualisation, construction documentation, technical detailing, and remote studio production support.
It operates as a curated, portfolio-first directory. Professionals are discovered based on workflow alignment, technical skill, portfolio strength, and production competency — not through bidding systems or lowest-cost algorithms.
There is no commission taken from projects. Design support professionals keep 100% of their earnings and manage contracts directly with studios.
The platform is free for interior designers and studios to browse and connect. Studios can filter professionals by software expertise, production skill set, English proficiency, country, time zone, and hourly rate — helping them find the right fit efficiently while maintaining professional transparency.
InteriAssist also includes structured Badge Pathways aligned to real production competencies. In addition, the platform offers recommended workflow templates, curated professional resources specifically for Design Support Professionals, and recommended software listings aligned with production standards.
While studios may occasionally share project opportunities, the platform remains directory-first. Opportunities are commission-free and designed to complement professional visibility — not replace it with a job-board model.
The mission is to create a structured, professional ecosystem that supports long-term studio collaboration rather than short-term gig transactions.
Its currently in beta with free access available to all to either be listed in the directory or view it.
Here is the link:
www.interiassist.com
What has been the biggest challenge so far in launching and growing the business?
Building trust and momentum from zero has been the biggest challenge.
Growing a two-sided platform while balancing freelance work, tutoring, development, and marketing requires resilience and adaptability.
Did the skills you learnt with the NDA help?
Yes — absolutely.
The technical foundation, drafting precision, and exposure to professional practice through internships were essential stepping stones in my career.
Learning remotely from the NDA strengthened my time management, discipline, and personal responsibility. Studying independently meant structuring my own schedule, meeting deadlines consistently, and taking full ownership of my progress. That mindset directly supported my transition into freelance work and later into launching and managing a professional platform.
Working remotely during my studies also made collaborating with interior designers across borders feel natural and efficient. It prepared me for the way the industry increasingly operates today — particularly within global production support and remote studio collaboration.
Where would you like to see InteriAssist in the next few years?
I would like InteriAssist to become a trusted global production directory for interior designers — recognised as a professional credibility layer within the industry.
I see it becoming integrated into education pathways, where students and graduates understand how to position themselves professionally within real production workflows.
Ultimately, when a studio needs technically aligned CAD or 3D support — filtered by workflow, software, and time zone — the answer will simply be: “Check InteriAssist.”
What advice would you give to current NDA students who hope to start their own design business?
Build strong technical foundations. Production accuracy and drafting discipline will always set you apart in a competitive industry.
Take internships seriously — they are not just experience, they are relationship-building opportunities. Many long-term collaborations begin there.
Stay adaptable, especially with AI and evolving technology. The industry is shifting, and those who understand both creative vision and technical workflow will have a clear advantage.
Learn how studios actually operate — timelines, documentation standards, client communication, and production processes. Understanding workflow alignment is just as important as design talent.
Build relationships. Professional networks create opportunities long before platforms or portfolios do.
And don’t wait until you feel completely ready — growth happens through action.
Thank you to Shanthi for submitting her student spotlight! You can follow her social media by clicking the buttons below!
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