Martiele Franklin is an associate and has been practicing interior design at Cannon Design in downtown Jacksonville for three years.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She handles all of the interior design projects for Cannon Design Jacksonville. “In addition to that I support our mid-Atlantic region with interior design. We operate as a single firm, multi-office. We have 15 offices, but we really try to operate as one. We collaborate on projects and work together as a team.” In addition to the projects she has been working on, she has been instrumental in business development for the company since her local office has decided to introduce corporate work to their local practice.
THE SPACE YOU ARE IN?
Cannon Design is located on the third floor of the Elks Building. They moved in the space December of 2004. Franklin was part of the team that renovated and designed the space. “We really tried to keep existing architecture and bring in the modern architecture to compliment the older elements. I was the main designer on the project, but I worked with the design principal at the time and a few other designers. Obviously, we wanted to get a few people involved.”
THE DESIGN?
“We kept things open. We have very high ceilings so we wanted to maximize that and complement our design with that, but obviously we needed to have the space functional.” Franklin said they were able to lower the walls and create open offices to create a flow between workspaces.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO INTERIOR DESIGN?
It runs in her blood. “My father’s side of the family has always been involved in some kind of architecture, building, interior design or construction.”
CLIENTS?
A few are Nova Southeastern University, CB Richard Ellis, the city of Jacksonville for the Duval County Courthouse and Continental Asset Management for the BellSouth Tower.
WHY DID SHE JOIN THIS COMPANY?
“Some of the main reasons I joined Cannon Design was because of their professionalism, core values, vision and character of the people. Cannon Design’s unique form of organization as a single-firm-multi-office allows individuals and teams to utilize the best resources and expertise. In addition, the mentoring program is an on-going commitment and allows you to seek mentors with specific expertise of interests either locally, or with other Cannon offices.”
MENTORS?
Franklin had several mentors since she started doing interior design. “Joe Calvarese, former principal and regional director of Cannon Design, helped me grow my business management skills and gave me opportunities to grow professionally. Emily Carrier, associate and marketing coordinator of Cannon Design, has been instrumental in mentoring me in business development. She is very experienced and knowledgeable and continuously teaches me new and better approaches. And Sharon Foley, associate and head of interior design of Foley Design Associates in Atlanta, was instrumental in teaching me design and detailing of interior architecture.”
COLLEGE
Franklin earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from American InterContinental University, which has an Atlanta campus.
HER HISTORY?
Her first job out of college was with Warners, Summers, Ditzel, Benefield, Ward and Associates in Atlanta for three and a half years. Then she went to work for Foley Design for two years and most recently she worked as head of interior architecture for Howard Davis and Associates in Jacksonville.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“I love the creativity and that I get the opportunity to work with other individuals, not only locally, but in other offices. I’m able to seek out other’s expertise and learn from them. I enjoy the mentoring program here and I’ve been able to use that and learn from that. I have been able be involved in different aspects of a project. I’ve been very fortunate to be involved in space planning through all aspects of construction on many jobs. I’ve been able to have my hands in a lot of different responsibilities, which has helped me to grow.”
HOW WERE
YOU AS A CHILD?
“I think most interior designers constantly rearrange things. I did like to rearrange things, build things and build models.”
ADVICE FOR NEW INTERIOR DESIGNERS?
“Try to be as well rounded as you can be. Try to learn as much as you can whether it’s from a person that has more experience than you or someone who has less overall experience, but who has more experience in one area.”
DOES YOUR HOME REFLECT YOUR STYLE?
“I do believe that it does to a certain degree. We own a townhouse that has a nice color scheme and the furniture is laid out nicely, but it is a fairly small place. Over the years we have collected miscellaneous furniture that are nice pieces, but we are waiting until we buy a house that we will live in for a longer term before we invest in a complete new design.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
She attends National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville and is a member of The Society for Marketing Professional Services.
WHAT IS THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
“To always work ethically and take responsibility for whatever work you do. Always seek out knowledge from others and continue to learn.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I have learned to be conscientious of communication with the client and other disciplines.”
- by Michele Newbern Gillis