We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Analy Diego. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Analy below.
Analy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?
I guess the term “starting out” could be interpreted different ways; I am a strong believer that a designer’s professional career starts the moment you land your first internship. So, on that note, my first internship and exposure to real-world design scenarios happened in 2008 with Pfluger Architects. During my time at Pfluger, I learned a lot about the importance of meeting a deadline, respecting a client’s budget, and understanding human behavior and how it affects design. Sadly, due to the recession my time at Pfluger was short-lived. This unexpected turn of events (becoming unemployed suddenly) helped me focus on completing my Master’s degree and finding my voice as a designer. So, looking back, not being able to find a job during the recession proved to be a silver-lining. My second internship was with Perkins & Will during my Master’s studies, circa 2011. I particularly enjoyed my time with P&W, as I learned a lot about the complex world of healthcare design; this internship sparked my interest in space planning and increased my curiosity regarding materiality as it relates to different space typologies. Further, it helped me grasp the true meaning of teamwork, since architects, designers and engineers were all working together in the same space throughout the whole design process.
As already mentioned, these internships were great lessons for me; one of the biggest lessons I learned from those experiences is that I was not passionate about working for a large firm. I always felt that working for a firm can limit creativity, and that’s exactly what I did not want. That said, I also knew that in order to go on my own, I needed to improve my design skills, expand my network, and gain more knowledge on various design related subjects. Thankfully, a position as Interior Design Professor with UTSA fell on my lap at that time. What better place to learn and draw inspiration from than a classroom filled with fresh, creative minds?
Fast forward seven years: I am still teaching, and still learning and drawing inspiration from students on a daily basis. But now I have earned my interior design professional license, have built relationships with many talented professionals, and have found my voice as a designer. I officially started my own company, Analy Diego Designs, LLC in May 2021. I am grateful for the people I have met along the way, including fellow designers/architects, talented students and last but not least, my wonderful clients who have put their trust in my talent and potential to meet (and hopefully exceed) their expectations.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Registered Interior Designer with the State of Texas, a Professor in the School of Architecture and Planning at The University of Texas at San Antonio and an artist. I joined UTSA’s Faculty in 2015, and currently teach design studios in Architecture and Interior Design, as well as Materials and Assemblies and Color Theory courses. I constantly draw inspiration from my artistic background in my teaching and design methods; my intent is to seamlessly merge art, architecture and design in my projects, to the greatest extent possible. Student work in my studio setting often reflects this approach. What I believe sets me apart from others is, first, my upbringing and early exposure to more than one culture, which opened my eyes and allowed me to appreciate how diverse the world is. I was born in Laredo, Texas and grew up in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; being a part of both countries and cultures has always felt like a blessing to me. My contrasting, yet complementary experiences have shaped who I am as an artist, designer and person. As a kid, my family and I were fortunate enough to travel to different places in both Mexico and the U.S. During these travels, I learned to appreciate the different color palettes in each place we visited. Mexico City, Morelia, Acapulco, Cancun, New Mexico, Los Angeles, New York, to name a few, all present different color palettes in their architecture, flora, fauna, and their skies. This early introduction to different environments sparked my interest in color, architecture and art. Further, art was introduced to me at an early age by my grandfather, a skilled artist himself. I started painting at the age of six and continued doing so until I joined Architecture School in 2004.
Learning about people, places, art/architecture and different cultures became an early passion of mine, and one that has taught me that observation and understanding of people and the environment are some of the qualities that make a good designer. During my studies as a designer, I always had conflicting thoughts about whether I wanted to label myself as a designer or an artist. With time, I have found that I can be both. I can do both things and bring them together, because design and art are one.
Today, I am proud to say that I have been able to open my design practice, one that represents the beliefs and dreams I’ve had since I was a little girl. At Analy Diego Designs, we offer interior architecture services (space planning, schematic design, ffe selections, 3d modeling), art curation or art creation services, as well as branding services. Our goal as a company is to help our clients translate their vision and needs into a tangible, enjoyable space and/or brand. In some instances, we are able to merge interior architecture, graphic design and art as one package in order to assist our clients in creating a strong brand. Regardless of scope, we tackle each project by listening to our client’s wishes, understanding their lifestyle and needs, applying our knowledge in functionality, aesthetics and regulations, all while adapting to their budget and timeline.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
“Hard work pays off” are words I live by. I think if you work hard, and use your time and talents wisely, the work will keep coming your way. In the design world, listening to your client’s needs and responding to those needs without compromising functionality, safety and performance, will make your work speak for itself. Lastly, transparency and honesty are key to earning your client’s trust. Ultimately, our client’s satisfaction usually leads to repeat or referred business, which for us designers, is the best way to build our clientele.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Honestly, it has happened organically. Like most people that joined social media at the time that I did, we mainly did it for fun. Over the years, social media has become a powerful business marketing tool, if you know how to use it to your advantage. When I decided to open my design business instagram account, for instance, I knew what kind of content I needed, how I wanted to present it, and most importantly, who my audience would be. I think these are the three most important things to consider when trying to build social media presence, especially as a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.analydiego.com
- Instagram: @studioanalydiego
Image Credits
Jana Cantua