Intern Insight: Tiffany Joy Amoncio

Interior design student Tiffany Joy Amoncio doubled down this summer and secured two separate internships at interior design firms GarlandSullivan Design and Twine Architectural Studio.

Her job title—interior design intern—was the same at both firms, but her responsibilities and opportunities to learn varied greatly as each firm focuses on a different sector. GarlandSullivan, in Port Washington, N.Y., primarily creates high-end residential interiors, while Twine, in Manhattan, specializes in healthcare, higher education, and corporate spaces.

Designing Luxury

Amoncio joined GarlandSullivan in April and was offered the opportunity to extend her internship throughout the fall semester. At the luxury design firm, she helps boost the brand’s social media presence in addition to her other duties. Using skills she learned in her Strategic Marketing and Branding class, her creativity can shine both on- and off-screen while at work.

A large part of her role is attending site visits to discuss and understand clients’ visions for their homes. She then visualizes how the team can execute those goals. To determine how design elements communicate the client’s needs or a specific narrative, she helps measure rooms and take photos that will later be analyzed or altered with material options. Each visit provides information necessary to move the project forward, ensure there are no mistakes, and learn more about the client’s opinion.

“Our projects consist of layered materials, colors, and textures to add personality in clients’ homes while balancing sophistication,” Amoncio says. “Every time I drive home from work, I feel inspired.”

Outside of technical skills, she has learned “how important clear communication is and to always be curious and ask questions.” Most of all, Amoncio has become more confident in voicing her opinion and providing suggestions, never settling for less when it comes to designs and ideas.

Health and Design

From May through August, Amoncio explored healthcare design at Twine. While interior design always involves clearly understanding clients’ needs, in health spaces, designers must also pay attention to health, safety, and building codes. With these extra considerations, Amoncio learned the importance of human-centric designs and how to translate legal needs into functional, yet beautiful and creative design.

“Not only do we have to think about the patients, but we have to focus on the staff and family members of the patients,” she reflects. “I learned that the clinicians observe and approve of our design choices because this is a space where they spend most of their time. I also discovered the design details within each furniture piece and what makes them classified as behavioral health-approved or not.”

During her four months with the firm, Amoncio’s work included renovation projects at Catholic Health and Northwell Health hospitals, where she assisted in designing behavioral health spaces that require a specific and thoughtful approach to design.

For example, Amoncio helped with contractors’ lighting and equipment specifications, selected materials and finishes to create calm, patient-soothing environments, and specified anti-ligature furniture so patients cannot cause harm to themselves or others. Creating spaces that adhere to specific sets of rules and guidelines underscore how working as an interior designer can be incredibly impactful.

“I never thought I’d be involved in this sector, but it ended up being really valuable,” she says. “I learned from the senior architect, senior interior designer, and principal. All of them were women, so it was an empowering experience.”