Iconic mentorship: The unique value of a Sibella Court internship

As part of their Billy Blue College of Design industry-immersive diploma and bachelor level of Interior Design and Decoration courses, six students have recently completed their internships under international design icon, Sibella Court.

The Sibella Court internship is part of the Sibella Court x Billy Blue exclusive partnership that aims to open doors into interior design for our students. With Sibella being an internationally renowned interior designer, participating students gain access to world-class operational and design insights while exploring their passions and being continually inspired.

Using words such as powerful and insightful, our interns talked about their time working with Sibella Court and her team at The Society Inc. and how it has added to the Billy Blue experience.

The unique value of an internship with Sibella Court

She has more than 25 years of experience in styling, concepting and designing interiors, and learning from internationally renowned designer Sibella Court is a unique privilege. Working out of her Sydney-based design studio and retail store, The Society Inc., students were given an intimate insight into Sibella’s creative and operational processes.

“Internships with my team and I offer an active immersion in the runnings of a studio and the ebb & flow of a week. I have many facets to my business and to allow them access to view & engage in these activities is a lovely stepping-stone in their own design journey and all the opportunities this industry has to offer,” said Sibella.

These stepping-stone experiences cannot be gained from classroom learning such as facilitating client meetings, real-time problem solving and connecting with The Society Inc.’s existing network of suppliers. These invaluable internship experiences offer industry development, giving Billy Blue students a competitive edge even before graduation.

How an internship provides competitive edge

There are a range of reasons why internships offer students a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Exposure and familiarity to industry-specific work environments

It is one thing to learn about an industry and another to practice within one. The value of internships helps students transform into industry practitioners by closing the gap between expectations and reality.

Internships teach you the lingo used in work environments, introduce collaboration tools teams use to ideate, communicate, and execute projects as well as demonstrating the ins and outs of roles available within industries. This will make you more employable by strengthening your resume while making you feel more confident and job-ready.

Professional and personal development

The internship experience will develop the skills you have learned in the classroom. Apply your knowledge such as using industry-standard software to real-world challenges and create solutions. This gives you a chance to strengthen your technical and problem-solving skills through trial and error in a safe environment, allowing you to learn and develop from your successes and failures.

Mentoring and network building

Internships also give you the chance to connect with mentors. Mentors are vital to your career journey as they have insights that will help you navigate your chosen industry. They can offer clarity especially when you are first starting and trying to make decisions about your career.

Plus, mentors often connect you with their existing industry networks, giving you more exposure to industry experiences and opportunities.

What is unique about the Sibella Court Internship?

The Sibella Court internship offers insight into running an end-to-end interior design company as well as an internationally loved interior retail company. What’s even more unique is being able to learn from an established interior designer who has created a brand with a strong identity, rooted in her love of history and heritage artisan trades.

By being a Sibella Court intern, Billy Blue students have gained exclusive access to Sibella Court herself, to be able to ask about her challenges, what inspires her as a designer, and how she has built a global brand for herself and her business today. This is invaluable in helping students find their own identities, and passions and to help define career paths more clearly.

On top of receiving mentorship from an experienced team, students gained access to Sibella’s local network of trusted suppliers. This gives students a head start in understanding what suppliers are available, how to interact, and to start building a working relationship with them. This makes the Sibella Court internship especially valuable to students looking to start their businesses in the future.

Key experiences to look for in an interior design internship

During their enriching week-long internship at The Society Inc., students had a taste of the dynamic world of interior design under the expert mentorship of Sibella Court and her dedicated team. Here are the top 10 skills they gained from this transformative experience:

1. Real-world project management

Students had the chance to work on live, ongoing projects, immersing themselves in conducting research, reviewing floor plans, creating mood boards, reviewing samples and more. This hands-on approach gave them invaluable experience in supporting actual design projects being managed by The Society Inc., taking their learnings from the classroom into the real world.

2. Product development, cataloging and organisational skills

Students experienced product development of Sibella’s outdoor furniture collection, Eco Outdoors. Working with her 6 Australian manufacturers, students even went on a site visit to see how Sibella’s textile and wallpaper range are manufactured as well. After learning how products are developed, students were tasked with cataloging items sold at The Society Inc. By photographing and measuring various items, students learnt the importance of paying attention to detail when selling materials and learned effective cataloging techniques. This skill is crucial for organising and presenting design elements professionally.

3. Client interaction and relationship building

Shadowing Sibella and her team during client meetings was one of the most impactful aspects of the internship. Students learned how to facilitate meetings, respond to client inquiries and build meaningful relationships, which are essential skills for any successful interior designer.

4. Proficiency in industry-standard software

Students used AutoCAD to model designs for existing projects, improving their technical skills with this industry-standard software. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing precise and detailed design plans, something interior designers undertake day to day in their careers.

5. Styling a blended hospitality venue

A site visit to the Butchers Shop at Longs Lane in The Rocks exposed students to a historical venue redesigned by Sibella Court. With a passion for history, integrating historic buildings and breathing new life into them is Sibella’s specialty. Students learned about the styling inspiration behind the project, the challenges faced during redevelopment, and how to incorporate heritage elements into creating a blended, inviting hospitality venue.

6. Understanding auctions and antique sourcing

A visit to Lawsons Auctioneers gave students an overview of how auctions work and how to source antiques for future projects. This experience broadened their understanding of where and how to find unique pieces to enhance their designs.

7. Custom design and client presentation skills

A banquette seating design brief allowed students to apply their creativity and everything they learned throughout their internship. This required them to source materials, design and style a custom seating layout, and present their designs to Sibella as a client. The exercise allowed students to balance their personal style with the client’s needs. Students learned the importance of being able to communicate their vision to the client, take on feedback and adjust accordingly.

8. Workflow management in a professional setting

The internship provided insight into Sibella’s creative process and the workflow of an established interior design company. Students experienced how projects are managed from concept to completion, giving them a clear understanding of what is expected of them from future managers, coworkers, and clients.

9. Exploration of diverse career pathways

Students learned about the vast career opportunities within interior design by experiencing the day-to-day life of designers within a leading studio. This exposure helped them see the limitless possibilities and how their skills could be applied across different sectors.

10. Building a professional network

Developing a network of trusted suppliers is essential in the interior design industry. This internship allowed students to start building these connections early in their education, laying the groundwork for future professional relationships.

Overall, students agree that the internship with Sibella Court equipped them with practical skills, industry knowledge, and the confidence needed for a successful career in interior design.