Lori Mukoyama
“Design has historically been, and continues to be, a positive inspirational motivator; it changes cities and touches people’s lives.”
#WomenWhoBuild, Lori Mukoyama,
Lori is a Design Director in Gensler Chicago’s Lifestyle practice. In her 20 years in the industry, Lori has touched a wide variety of project types leading branding, interiors, and environmental graphic design projects across the globe. Her vision has led the design of some of the most successful and award-winning commercial spaces across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
ArchNative sat down with Lori (virtually of course) to discuss her journey in Interior Design, how she approaches each project, what her day to day looks like, and how mentorships have impacted her career trajectory.
Can you tell me a little bit about your journey in Interior Design? What was your first introduction to the field?
My mom was a physical and occupational therapist; she also took classes at the Art Institute of Chicago and canvassed our mid-century home with her artwork. As I was growing up, she instructed me to take summer school and I balanced her academic expectations for me with classes that suited my own passions: art, watercolor, and ceramics.
In college, I followed in her footsteps and majored in occupational therapy, but again, I sought to balance science classes with offerings geared toward drawing and art. It only took a single year for my passion for design to eclipse all other interests; I decided to focus solely on interior design, and I’ve never looked back.
I recognize that I’m fortunate to have Japanese-American parents who supported my creativity from a young age—without their affirmation of those interests, who knows where I might be! My mom’s creativity and tenacity has continued to inspire me throughout my design career, and her artwork now also lives in my home.
My career began in boutique retail design—I love to shop! From retail, I branched into restaurant design; it was and remains incredibly rewarding to see my loved ones enjoy meals in spaces I helped bringing to life.
Next, I expanded my design abilities in terms of scale, taking on the design of retail centers and hotels. This broadening of my design knowledge is what pushed my understanding of global design vocabulary forward. My work took me all around the world. It brought me to deeply appreciate the guest and consumer experience both in my neighborhood and across the globe and was nothing short of life and perspective-changing.
I’m fortunate to continue working globally in places like Dubai, China, Tokyo, The Philippines, and Jakarta in addition to my work local in Chicago and the Midwest. Each place, its cultures, and its design influences inform the next design project I work on. Learning about the guest/consumer/client who will be experiencing the space in each location gives our teams perspective and helps us craft the story for the space—and bring yet another layer of context and inspiration to the project that comes next.
What about the industry made you decide to pursue it as a career?
I appreciate the way that interior design combines creativity, art, and business—that we get to use both sides of our brains simultaneously. Interiors are also something every person can experience; walking through spaces, experiencing ‘places,’ is so unique to interior design. Design has historically been, and continues to be, a positive inspirational motivator; it changes cities and touches people’s lives. In the era of a pandemic, civil unrest, climate change and other enormous challenges our society is grappling with, we need design to support our lives and our communities more than ever.
How do you approach each project you work on?
Before every project starts, I dig into the heart of the project. What makes the site so unique? Who will use this space? We can’t begin in earnest until we understand the project’s pulse.
“I hold a special place in my heart for designers who might not feel they have developed a platform to share their strong voices. Working consistently to empower professionals of color, women, and more introverted designers through offering design opportunities, connectivity with leadership, and space to share their ideas is a major priority of mine.”
Great design is only successful if it inspires people and offers what they need, so it’s vital that we study the target users to understand their expectations and desires. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to get to get behind the counter at a store or sweat it out at a fitness class before we reimagine those spaces; these experiences allow us to put ourselves in the shoes of the workers and guests that will operate within the environment.
You are a Design Director in Gensler's Chicago practice, what does your role entail? What does your day to day look like?
One of my absolute favorite things about being a Design Director at Gensler is having the opportunity to touch many different project types, locations, and scales. Each day is different; I might be working on a bespoke intimate restaurant with my morning coffee, strategizing for a mega-multi-use site in the afternoon, and fundraising for DIFFA (I joined the board this year!) over dinner.
I truly enjoy so many parts of my role, including sketching interiors, building design palettes, and crafting details; I also relish the opportunity to engage with the next generation of designers. I hold a special place in my heart for designers who might not feel they have developed a platform to share their strong voices. Working consistently to empower professionals of color, women, and more introverted designers through offering design opportunities, connectivity with leadership, and space to share their ideas is a major priority of mine.
These days, as is true for so many, a typical day is full of video calls. I’ve been so impressed with my team and our clients’ ability to be resilient and keep things fresh during this time! Some of my favorite COVID-era workday highlights have been visioning sessions via Miro, sketch sessions with my Apple Pencil + iPad, and virtual coffees with clients and colleagues to stay connected.
My kids—Colin, 15 and Miya, 10—are currently my work/school-from-home partners; when I need a break, I jump on the trampoline with Miya or talk Colin into playing a game of cards with me.
What has been your favorite project to work on and why?
My favorite project always is the one that’s currently under construction! When projects are starting to come to life three-dimensionally and I can see the team’s vision come together, there’s just no better feeling. My husband Jonathan is also an architect, and walking through each other’s projects as they begin to be realized brings me such joy!
“My favorite project always is the one that’s currently under construction! When projects are starting to come to life three-dimensionally and I can see the team’s vision come together, there’s just no better feeling. ”
What has been the most challenging part of your career thus far? What has been the most rewarding?
Early on, it was a welcome challenge to move from one firm focused on interior design to another firm with broader expertise across interiors, architecture, and engineering. Suddenly surrounded by architects and engineers in addition to other interior designers, I had to dive in head-first to find my own voice in the conversation. It became a very rewarding experience and growth opportunity that ultimately led me to Gensler ten years later. Today, I’m confident among large teams with varied expertise and enjoy designing spaces that are 1000 sq feet or 20 million sq feet. I’m always up for a challenge.
What is one piece of advice you have for women who are just starting in the field?
My career has benefitted immensely from the mentorship-based relationships I’ve had, both as the mentor and the mentee. I would recommend every young woman find career mentors and embrace those relationships wholeheartedly; invest in others the same way you want to be invested in. Really seeking out someone you not only connect with, but who understands your perspective and wants to see you succeed is key. For one of my mentor relationships, all it took was one kind, inclusionary gesture on one of my early days at Gensler to start what has blossomed into a great partnership.
It’s important to have guiding perspectives and leaders who advocate for your success – leaders who truly live by the mantra of “lifting the next one up.” I’m forever thankful for mentors I’ve had along the way who have helped me realize my potential, and now as a mentor to younger professionals, I am able to give that same gift to someone else.