In the Office with Alyssa Robben

Join us as we get to know Alyssa and gain insights into her career journey, approach to design, and accomplishments at Office Interiors.

How long have you been working as a designer? What drew you to start working with Office Interiors?

In the summer of 2022, I joined as a design intern and worked for 3 months. What attracted me to Office Interiors as an intern was the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of tasks, such as creating presentations for clients, working in the design library, and expanding my knowledge of products and their applications.

After graduating, I made the decision to return to Office Interiors because of the amazing people and the inclusive environment they foster. I knew that the positive atmosphere would greatly contribute to my early career success. So, I’ve been working at Office Interiors full-time for 8 months.

Can you briefly describe your role and responsibilities as a designer?

My roles as a designer include preparing drawings and presentations with furniture layouts, proposing finishes for clients based on their needs and wants, as well as putting together pricing worksheets. I also have some internal responsibilities like keeping our design library clean and organized, and I have recently become our “champion in research” and helping implement a new presentation program called Scout.

What inspired you to pursue a career in design?

Both my parents were my inspiration! From a young age, my mom always said one day I would turn out to be an interior designer, but later my dad encouraged me to start enrolling in engineering and architecture courses offered through my high school, and during an architecture course I discovered that I was more interested in designing the inside of buildings than the building itself.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Office Interiors?

My favorite aspect of working at Office Interiors is the people. Working with positive, supportive people is a huge aspect of having a successful work environment and a happy atmosphere.

I admire this quote that Steve Jobs once said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

While I agree with his statement, I believe it can only take you about 50% of the way, the other 50% is loving where you work. At Office Interiors, the company's ability to create a fantastic work environment has been instrumental in allowing me to achieve great things in my role.

How do you approach planning and implementing new projects?

When tackling new projects, I adopt a strategic approach. Having been research-oriented both as a student and professional, I combine my creative planning skills with a focus on identifying products that seamlessly integrate into the given space. This balanced mindset allows me to effectively navigate the project while delivering optimal solutions.

Can you share a memorable project or accomplishment you have achieved in your role?

One memorable project that stands out as a significant accomplishment is the St. Joseph County ISD (Intermediate School District) project. It holds a special place because it was one of the first projects I actively contributed to, being involved from the initial internal intake meeting all the way to receiving the final installation pictures from our operations team, completing the entire process from start to finish.

Outside of work, what are some hobbies or interests that you enjoy pursuing?

Outside of work, I enjoy being creative in all kinds of forms from crocheting and knitting to painting. I also enjoy being a cat mom to my two cats Brandi and Lucy.

Are there any interesting facts that you’d like to share about yourself?

I recently graduated from Indiana State University (GO Sycamores!) where I played basketball for 2 years. I also was the Missouri Valley Conference Student Athlete Ambassador Representative, as well as the Chair for the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology Dean’s Student Advisory Council.