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News > Foundation News > Finty Donovan (Shield – 2016) : Designing Workplaces for the Future

Finty Donovan (Shield – 2016) : Designing Workplaces for the Future

"Every day is different, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch a space evolve from a blank canvas into a fully functioning workplace"

At Hurst, Finty quickly discovered that her strengths lay not in essays or history papers, but in Design Technology, a subject where creativity mattered more than spelling. That passion led her to Loughborough University, where she graduated with a first in Industrial Design and Technology. The course’s mix of workshops, CAD, and UX design provided the perfect foundation for a career blending technical expertise with creativity.

Her placement year proved pivotal. Working as a Project Manager for Greene King Pubs, she coordinated furniture, artwork, and bric‑a‑brac across central London venues. The fast‑paced environment demanded logistical planning, collaboration with manufacturers, and on‑site coordination, equipping her with invaluable organisational skills and a practical understanding of how design translates into real spaces.

From there, she moved into the office interiors sector, taking on the role of Furniture Consultant. Projects have ranged from 3,000 to over 120,000 square feet, requiring a balance of technical knowledge, client engagement, procurement, and strategic planning. Her day‑to‑day work spans the full journey from initial client briefings to final delivery. She collaborates closely with interior designers to specify furniture that complements the overall vision, guides clients through showroom tours and finishes workshops, and ensures each scheme is both functional and inspiring.

Several projects stand out. Wasserman, a complex eighteen‑month scheme, brought together three divisions - Music, Media, and Sport - into a single workspace across three floors, complete with a spiral staircase cut through multiple slabs. Another highlight is her current project for Disney in Antwerp, managed largely remotely with stakeholders based worldwide. Late‑night calls and virtual finishes meetings have tested the team’s adaptability, but the project has maintained the same high standards as a fully face‑to‑face delivery.

Her approach to workplace design is firmly centred on people. She prioritises inclusive environments that support different working styles and neurodiverse needs, offering quiet zones, high‑focus spaces, and softer, low‑lit areas. Practical details such as ergonomic comfort, accessibility, and thoughtful furniture choices ensure spaces are not only visually appealing but genuinely supportive of those who use them.

Sustainability is another key focus. Clients increasingly aim for standards such as SKA Gold or BREEAM, with trends toward reusing existing furniture and sourcing from suppliers who are lowering carbon footprints and adopting greener materials.

Hybrid working has reshaped office design, with hot‑desking, lockers, and social hubs replacing traditional layouts. For her, the goal is clear: to create workplaces that feel inspiring, collaborative, and inclusive, places where people genuinely want to be.

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