Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Isola Johnson.
Hi Jill Isola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was a small child, I’ve been interested in how buildings affect people’s behaviors; their movements, responses, and comforts. Early on I would imagine changing spatial forms, rooms, ceilings, adding windows and doorways, etc. and imagine then how people would move through the space. I would run around with a tape measure, measuring walls and trims and openings, I didn’t realize that all of this was leading me towards an incredibly rewarding career as a Certified Interior Designer.
I left my hometown of Duluth in 1989 to attend the University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Science program in Interior Design, and graduated in 1993. I worked an internship with a residential design studio for 3 years, both while in school and after graduation.
I knew I wanted to practice commercial design – specifically, workplaces, civic buildings, libraries, higher education, hospitality, and retail projects. My next job was with an Architectural firm as an Interior Designer, working with multi-disciplined design teams made up of Engineers, Architects and Interior Designers. From then on, I have practiced Commercial Design, working at a few other Architectural firms in Minneapolis before starting my own practice in 2009, and am a State of MN Certified Interior Designer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I made my way through college on my own, paying my own way and working to pay expenses. Although it wasn’t easy, it contributed to the bottom line of my success. I pay attention to the ‘math’ for my company and for every project that I work
In 2009 with three small children, (two of them 8 month old twins) I started Isola Design, with the support of my husband and my network consisting of Architects, Engineers, and business owners, I forged ahead – working out of a 10’x10′ room in the lower level of our home. I do now, and did then rely heavily on my network, and repeat clients and referrals. That was 16 years ago, and now my studio is located in an Historic building downtown Duluth – my husband and I purchased the building with an SBA loan so I would have the space needed to house a full service design studio. We completed renovation projects on most of the spaces ourselves, even having our kids help us with some of the grunt work of remodeling. Not too long ago, I realized that every small success has added up to the larger success of Isola Design. I didn’t think of it at the time, but every day along with every challenge and decision I made, I was contributing to what my company has become.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My design approach is original. Like many in my profession, I’ll meet a client and ask about their project needs and wants, their schedule and budget, their ideas and goals.
Unlike others, I seek the unspoken cues, listening and looking for information not conveyed through words, a feeling, a sensory experience. I use my senses and physical body to take in the data that isn’t represented by language. Movement, color, sound, air flow, space, texture, planes, light, form, openings; elements that have meaning to us as human beings. Drawing on my background in Art History, Architectural History, blending this knowledge with current cultural forces; the economy and world politics, sustainability and climate adaptation, music, fashion, social trends. All these elements are blended and expressed through my process as I create enduring design and accessible solutions that delight and inspire.
Distinguishing myself from others; Isola Design is discerning, experienced, curious and precise, clients seek me out for specific aesthetic refinement and responsive complete construction documentation. I do good work, and care about my clients.
How do you define success?
Success is a series of small wins. In business, every day I make decisions about how to spend my time, energy and money. I work on things I’m an expert at, prioritizing tasks no one else can do and I hire others to do the rest. My time is my most valuable resource and I decide where, when and who I spend it with. That to me, is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.isoladesigngroup.com
- Instagram: _.isola.design._
