Interior designer Tiffany Thompson started her professional career at Nike, Inc. — she executed creative projects and designs for the billion dollar company for nearly a decade. She calls her style a “merger of brutalism, wabi-sabi and a new defined minimalism,” and is quickly gaining traction as one of the most sought-after West Coast designers, both in the residential and commercial realms.

The first product line from her Portland firm [Duett Interiors] is a vinyl pillow collection dedicated to her Grandmother’s couches. With the fashion-forward designs, vintage charm meets modern luxury in a way we love. We sent our #5MinutesWith questionnaire to Tiffany and have a feeling you’ll be inspired by her answers:

MY LIGHTBULB MOMENT: 
I believe in life you have a few of these moments in different aspects of your life. For me, one that stands out is when I was working full time in my corporate career at Nike and designing was just a side hobby. One of the VPs and wanted to hire me to design his office.  

There’s something about that moment happening while I was unsatisfied in my career, allowed me to see that someone I respected saw value and was inspired by what I can create. I knew I was fully capable of pursuing this career full time. At times, all we need is one person to solidify what you probably already knew deep down.

I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
I make a cup of tea.

SUCCESS IS:
Working hard in preparation for opportunity. 

YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
A tape measure.

DREAM COLLABORATION:
I’ve vowed to say this in every interview until this one comes into fruition. Rihanna and her Fenty Brand. She’s one of the most inspiring women in the world and her transition and domination in the business world is insane. I foresee her having Fenty stores globally and who else to design her first commercial project than me! I see a lot of myself in her as a rule breaker that I believe we could make magic together.

THE ONLY CITY BETTER THAN PORTLAND:
Barcelona. It’s the perfect balance of Art and Architecture.

WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
With traveling at a standstill, I’ve really been into watching independent films. They sometimes are so odd but I’m a sucker for the aesthetics in good cinematography. Truthfully, I have such a crazy imagination and I can get lost in my head sometimes.  It’s a gift and a curse. I’m always in a state of inspiration because it’s internal.

ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Have tougher skin and Trust the process. Also, don’t get so memorized with this false timeline you have in your head. Things will happen at their own speed and everything that happens will all shape your future and you as a human being. Your failures won’t define you but all they will care about is what you did after they thought you would fail. 

IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
On the cover of your favorite magazine.

ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Have faith, be curious and Treat every single project like it’s your first.