Share this article
Many people are apprehensive about major career changes for plenty of reasons. With a totally new job comes a steep learning curve, potential pay cut, and a feeling of having wasted the years leading up to that change.
But for Phan Min Er, her switch from air traffic control to interior design feels nearly seamless. The 34-year-old interior designer rekindled her teenage love for interior design amidst the pandemic in 2020, and after four years of hard work, now plans about a dozen houses a year.
Interior Design Principles
Phan Min Er places a heavy emphasis on balancing functionality and design. Much like the philosophy of the first studio she worked for, KDOT, achieving both form and function is imperative to both their designs. For Phan, this means that the house she designs should be space-optimised or easy to clean.
"We are all busy people in a fast-paced lifestyle, so having a house that's easy to maintain is important because you want to go home to a nice and clean place. It's one of my key design points."
The homeowner client of this house requested for a large volume of storage space. Photos: Phan Min Er
Not fond of open shelves or fluted panels, any dust collecting interior design feature is an immediate no-no for Phan. For this home located on Upper Serangoon View (pictured above and below), Phan was tasked by the homeowners to include plenty storage space.
Study room with ample storage space. Photo: Phan Min Er
Sleek black built-in features paired with matching furniture. Photo: Phan Min Er
Personally, Phan prefers 'timeless designs', such as neutral palettes and sleek minimalism. She isn't one to follow trends or fads, that might possibly be outdated within a year or two. To her, a home is something one will stay in for at least a few years, and its interior design has to stand the test of time.
This interior design of this flat in Canberra (pictured below) is another example of Phans works. Light, woody, and natural, it displays her range in interior design, and ability to cater to each homeowner's needs.
Minimalist bathroom design featuring a mirror cabinet. Photo: Phan Min Er
Phan was tasked to design a space that was fun and homely, a casual place to relax in at the end of the day. Photo: Phan Min Er
The backsplash tiles on the kitchen wall matches those in the bathroom. Photo: Phan Min Er
Space between wardrobes utilised as a vanity desk. Photo: Phan Min Er
Air traffic controller turned interior designer, Phan Min Er.
Switching careers to be an interior designer
Her love for interior design sparked in her teenage years. Having shared a room with her sister, Phan dreamed of living in her own space. She poured over the decoration and colours of what her own room might include, but it never occurred to her that she might one day be designing rooms for other people.
Life as an air traffic controller
After studying statistics at the National University of Singapore, Phan decided that she never wanted to do anything related to her major. Apart from interior design, she had always been interested in aviation, and stumbled upon an opening for air traffic control.
She really enjoyed her job as an air traffic controller, but as someone who enjoyed being out and about, and managing her own time, the control tower provided a stifling environment.
She left in 2020 to work for a friend's interior design boutique, but even without the push of banned air travel, she thinks she would've found herself in the industry anyway.
Becoming an interior designer
The first half year of Phan's new career was spent shadowing a friend at his boutique, KDOT. Even after she branched off to manage her own projects, she continued to consult him periodically. She began to work for SG Interior at the start of 2023.
Initially, some issues she faced included a steep learning curve.
"There's just so much to learn," she explained. "I thought I would surely do the designs, but I didn't expect to do the dirty work like going down to the construction site or doing project management.
"I had no background, so I would give a lot of credit to the company and mentor that brought me into this industry," she concluded.
Other issues that surfaced during her first few projects include a lack of confidence. Starting out, she didn't have the experience to champion her designs, and felt that whatever she did wasn't sufficient.
This feeling waned over time, as more and more homeowners showed their satisfaction toward Phan's designs. Their contentment with their new homes put Phan at ease, building up her confidence in her capabilities.
A fulfilling career
Having a project you've worked on, from scratch, over the course of the past few months finally come to life is immensely gratifying, according to Phan. It's one of the reasons she loves what she does.
"More importantly," she adds, "it makes your clients happy. Your clients will be staying there for at least a few years, it's their home. I want to create a sanctuary they can go back to and relax in, where they can be with their families."
The switch to interior design wasn't a tough choice for Phan and her journey as an interior designer has enriched both her career and her personal life.
Her transition from air traffic control to interior design demonstrates that major career changes can be successful with passion and hard work. With dedication and the right support, pursuing a new career can possibly lead to greater professional fulfillment and success.