Getting to Know Amber Branham
Join us in welcoming Amber Branham, RID, LEED AP, an award-winning designer and educator, as the new interior design director at Runa Workshop. We are excited to share more about her goals, where she has been and things that keep her creativity flowing when not in the office… Feel free to drop her a line if you want to learn more, or just say hello! She can be reached at: abranham@runaworkshop.com
Q: What made you want to join the Runa team?
A: I am excited to be a part of a small and nimble team that does great work and values design.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I enjoy travel and have been an avid camper for 20 + years. This summer our family took an amazing social distancing trip to the Colorado backcountry, and camped out in our new rooftop tent. We enjoyed the cooler weather and being outside for nearly 2 weeks.
Q: What does family mean to you?
A: Family means everything to me, I have been fortunate to have many strong Texas women in my family that have helped paved the road for me. In addition I have a strong willed 4 year old daughter that reminds me daily of the joy and importance of family.
Q: What is your favorite possession (design based)?
A: My husband and I started collecting artwork after our marriage and have several pieces from artist friends and family. My parents gave me their Vintage Tiffany style Art Glass Beautiful Blown "Lady Bug" that I loved since I was a child.
Q: How do you hope to expand the Runa interiors portfolio?
A: I look forward to continuing the creative work Runa Workshop has accomplished in the past 11 years and expanding the interior portfolio by providing my 15 years of experience in the Austin market. Our collective goal is to provide high quality interior design from a boutique firm by listening to our clients visions, goals and providing work on time and on budget.
Q: How does your role in academia support your vision as a practicing interior designer?
A: I have become a stronger designer in the past few years with my academic role and strongly believe that academia and professional roles inform one another. I have seen that concepts and concept statements have lost importance in the fast world of practice. Runa Workshop has a design concept for every project similar to academia, this statement establishes a clear design vision and path for the team to check in through all phases of design from concept to implementation to post occupancy.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this role?
A: I am looking forward to becoming an integrated team member and building the interiors portfolio to complement the great architectural work.
Q: What can we as designers do to better support our community during this unprecedented time?
A: As designers we understand that our physical space influences our everyday selves, socially and emotionally.. Many organizations and firms have come together to create and define space for social distancing. I believe that these times are where creative minds shine and look forward to some large shifts in our built environments.
Thanks Amber, for opening up and sharing with us. Welcome to the team!