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Interior design student lands client before graduating
By the time most students are preparing to graduate, 23-year-old Kate Vassella, has already co-founded her own interior design studio and landed a commercial fit-out for a luxury automotive company.
And it all started at TAFE Queensland’s Coomera Creative campus.
“TAFE didn’t just boost my confidence, it laid out a framework I can now replicate in the real world,” said Kate.
“It gave me the skills, the mindset and the industry connections that helped launch my career.”
Kate’s breakthrough came when TAFE Queensland’s Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222) students were called to design commercial spaces for Gilmour Space Technologies, a leading Australian aerospace company.
This wasn’t a hypothetical brief, this was the real deal. Executive offices, staff lunchrooms, innovation zones and real industry clients waiting for the pitch.
“When I found out we’d be designing for a real client it felt like the switch from student to designer was flicked in an instant,” she said.
“I was excited but also hyper-aware that this was a chance to prove myself in a real-world setting. There was pressure, but in the best way, it elevated my focus and drive.”
Kate designed three key spaces for the Gilmour project; a high-end executive office, a functional staff lunchroom, and a future-focused collaboration zone, all inspired by clean lines, layered textures and subtle engineering references.
“It’s incredibly rewarding knowing our designs won’t just sit in a portfolio, they’ll actually be used,” she said.
This kind of opportunity wasn’t by chance, it is built into the TAFE Queensland experience. From day one, students are treated like industry professionals. Real clients. Real deadlines. Real expectations.
“I learn best by doing, and TAFE Queensland’s practical, hands-on approach was exactly what I needed to thrive,” Kate said.
However, she didn’t just gain experience, she built a network.
“I’ve connected with so many industry professionals and even met my future business partner, Cathy Radford, in class. The relationships I've built at TAFE Queensland have already shaped my career in the best possible way.”
Now juggling full-time study and running Interior Edit Studio with a fellow classmate, Kate has big goals.
“I want to create thoughtful, innovative spaces that shift how people experience interior design, and build a name for ourselves doing it.”
Her advice for anyone considering interior design at TAFE Queensland?
“If you want more than just a piece of paper, this is where you need to be.”
Kate's classmate and business partner - Cathy Radford