An Interior Design Tutor Speaker at the Montréal Design Show

Éric Simard, a tutor sharing his industry experience by giving interior design online courses at LaSalle College, participated as a speaker at the Salon International du Design de Montréal (SIDIM). Interview.

Éric Simard has worked in various design spheres for more than 15 years. Fashion accessories, decors and accessories for theater and television, painting buildings, decoration and renovation: he is a true design all-rounder. Now working as a part-time furniture designer and cabinetmaker, Éric also offers his services as an interior design consultant and as a trainer for the Sketchup Pro program.

Since 2007, he has been a tutor for the online Interior Design training program. Éric Simard is very involved in the program and loves sharing his passion, his experiences as a designer, his tips and tricks and his recommendations. 2019 also marked his 5^th year of speaking at the SIDIM.

What do you like most about online classes?

I like being able to teach classes from anywhere, with students in a variety of locations. This makes sharing very rewarding. Online classes are really flexible which means that, as a designer, I’m able to take care of my contracts, and therefore stay up-to-date with what’s new in the world of interior design.

What catch phrase do you share with your students?

Actually, I have two: “The beauty of a project comes when it’s finished!” and “Be daring, but reasonable!”.

How do you ensure that your online courses have a “wow factor”?

I share my finds with my students and I tell them about the projects I’m working on. I encourage my students to become more observant and to explore by themselves. I tell them about upcoming events in the world of interior design, such as fairs, exhibits and conferences.

What advice would you give a student who wants to enroll in interior design?

I would say don’t limit yourself to the tutorials and meetings with the tutors. You also have to explore and read more about the topics covered in class to broaden your knowledge and stay up-to-date. I’d also advise them to consider adding everything they do to their portfolio, whether it’s projects for their classes, or for friends and family.

Tell us about your experience with the SIDIM

After 5 years volunteering for the SIDIM, a former student, who is now involved in organizing the event, contacted me to ask me to give a conference on the Sketchup Pro software. I agreed because I think the program is an excellent tool for the design community. A lot of job offers for designers, architects, cabinetmakers and so on request knowledge of the program.

The SIDIM is an unmissable event in a City of Design like Montréal. I recommend that students and final-year students attend each year to find new suppliers, receive training at the conferences, meet with their peers and discover new products.