Maria Cheung is director and head of interior design at London-based architecture firm Squire and Partners. She describes her career progression for the Dezeen Jobs careers guide.
Cheung oversees the design direction of the interiors department at Squires and Partners, reviewing each proposal's technical aspects, as well as managing planning and resources.
Her role involves working with a network of in-house departments, including the illustration, CGI and model-shop teams.
Cheung described liaising with suppliers as "a particularly interesting facet" of her role. She explained that building strong relationships with external suppliers has led to the "development and innovative application of their products and materials".
"Seeking opportunities like this can turn a factory visit into a treasure hunt," she said. Her career began after completing her architectural studies at Cambridge and the Architectural Association.
Immediately after graduating, Cheung set up her own practice with architect Bridget Evans, after being offered the opportunity to build an office for a friend.

After working on over 130 residential project at Evans Cheung Architecture, she decided she was "ready for something bigger", so decided to wind up her firm.
"We boxed up our files and blew the last of our petty cash on a bottle of chianti to toast our next endeavours," she said.
Since joining Squire and Partners, Cheung has worked on a number of high-p...