About
meet kaila, your new mentor
MENTORING designers of the Future
Romolo Design Studio was founded on a rebellious spirit inspired to empower emerging designers and help them attain job satisfaction. Founder, Kaila Cicchini’s journey into the workforce was highly successful, but had its challenges.
She quickly realised the institution she completed her studies through had not prepared her for the realities of the industry. It didn’t take long for her to discern she was not the only one.
Throughout her years in the industry, Kaila saw this unfortunate occurrence repeat itself over and over. Motivated by her own journey, Kaila wants to cultivate a more supportive pathway for emerging designers entering the workforce. Armed with an impressive portfolio and a wealth of experience, she aims to impart knowledge and guidance, enabling younger designers to confidently navigate the industry.
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It’s frustrating that the industry doesn't have a system in place to help aspiring designers transition smoothly from study to practice. Once designers finally land their first job, no one has any time to teach them the practical skills they actually need to know. They are left to figure it out themselves which is completely overwhelming and almost humiliating. Hello imposter syndrome!
I’m hoping I can be the person to help bridge this gap and end the cycle.
– KAILA
KAILA’S CAREER JOURNEY
Creative growth is a continuous journey, especially in the interior design industry.
I know the challenges of starting out or building new design skills – I’ve been there!
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I graduated from Central Institute of Technology in Perth, Western Australia in 2015 with an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design. In my final year I was tutoring first and second year students how to use AutoCAD and Sketchup which was my first taste of being a mentor. Before I graduated I had two job offers on the table, something that is almost unheard of for a graduate. But this was no coincidence as I had a few tricks up my sleeve.
Shortly after graduating I began my dream job as a graduate interior designer at Woods Bagot. Feeling very confident, I was ready to take on anything!
This confidence came crashing down almost instantly after my first day, after realising I didn’t know much at all.
Fast forward five years, I put in the hard yards and proved to myself that I deserved to be there and had what it takes to be a great designer. In my time at Woods Bagot I had multiple opportunities to work on various medium-large scale commercial projects both locally and internationally. Some of which won awards at the Designers Australia Awards hosted by the DIA.
I was exposed to working on all stages of the design and construction process which quickly gained me a reputable name in the industry. My final project before leaving in 2020 was designing the new workplace for Google in Singapore [the biggest project of my career to date].
Looking for a change of pace and the opportunity to learn from new people I joined the team at Milieu Creative. Here I was heavily involved with a lobby restoration, superyacht design, residential projects and the new Mineral Resources office in Osborne Park.
At the end of 2021, I pivoted my career and began working for District Australia. I took on a Visual Merchandising role looking to learn new skills and broaden my network. Today I manage the aesthetic for all 3 showrooms across Australia, and occasionally collaborate with a few Australian industrial designers.
While my cup is full and I feel very accomplished, I’m not stopping here. I always had a passion for teaching, something that really blossomed when I started a work experience programme during my time at Woods Bagot.
For almost two years I saw firsthand how much I was able to help aspiring designers build their skillset. Coupled with my recent experience mentoring and lecturing seminars for the Co-academy bootcamps, I have fallen in love with helping others on their journey.
My ultimate goal is to become the go-to mentor for aspiring architects and interior designers and finally bridge the gap between studies and practice. Coaching designers to be industry ready and working with them to land their first role is so fulfilling.
