Industry Insights: Alys Bryan

Where did your passion for design come from?

I was always artistic, however, as I went through school I realised that the structure and rigour of design, alongside creativity, really appealed to me. When I completed my Art Foundation course I was drawn to the scale of furniture, as opposed to product or architecture, and I pursued that career path, through a BA and Masters, into a role as Design Manager for one of the UK’s leading furniture manufacturers.

I learnt an enormous amount from the extremely talented creative director I had the opportunity to work with, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been mentored by a leading industrial designer, I have worked alongside a creative partner on several exciting independent projects, and I’ve been part of many fantastic teams. I know from experience what a pleasure it is to continuously learn from those around me and to be able to bring that knowledge into my work.

What is your current role?

My role is wonderfully varied. For Design Insider, I ensure that commercial interior designers and architects are able to learn about the products, projects and expertise of Commercial Interiors UK members. I also support the needs of those readers, celebrating their work and providing a discussion platform for the issues that are most important to them and the wider commercial community.

For Commercial Interiors UK, I work with our senior leadership team to build the benefits our members experience through our association, supporting our holistic marketing strategy and delivering growth across our membership, events, and publications. An unexpected joy in my role is speaking with industry leaders on event stages, moving the conversation away from the screen and into a room where it can flourish with even greater impact.

How do you determine the editorial content of Design Insider? 

In order for Design Insider to lead the conversation in our sector it's my role to ensure that our content is relevant and diverse. It's extremely important to me to be observant of what's happening across our sector, and the creative sector as a whole, and then for time to be spent  researching anything which is new, evolving or which is a disruptor to commercial designers and suppliers. 

I foster relationships with as many people as possible, in every role, and at every level, so that I can listen to their needs and experiences. I'm not at all shy to ask questions which could inform Design Insider's content and benefit our readers. Design Insider is not just my voice. I work with a number of writers, each an expert in their field, who tackle their work with intrigue and enthusiasm. It's through these writers that I commission focused editorial for our readers to enjoy and learn from. 

I'm always open to hearing content ideas from suppliers and designers, and my door is open to any writers who are passionate about commercial design.

What advice would you give to someone starting their own creative endeavour?

My advice to all creatives is to take the opportunities that are offered to you with gusto and if opportunities don’t present themselves, go and seek them out! Often the outcomes are unexpectedly fantastic and you end up somewhere you’d never have imagined.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

When I graduated as a furniture designer I saw that as my career, and for a decade it was, but I’ve learnt that creativity is adaptable and it’s been a joyful process to expand my creative approach down new pathways.

I’ve learnt that the commercial sector is vibrant, it’s rewarding and generous. I can’t imagine there are many other communities where people so openly share their expertise. I’m delighted to witness the growth of our community and for me to be able to provide Design Insider as a platform to lead the conversation, and enable that growth, is such a fantastic role to play.

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