# Meet Our Newest Designer: Elaine Abram
We're thrilled to introduce Elaine Abram, the latest addition to our design team at Tangram. Elaine brings a unique blend of retail sales experience, interior architecture expertise, and hospitality design knowledge that perfectly complements our commercial focus.
## From Student to Professional
Elaine's journey began at the Interior Designers Institute, where she balanced her studies with hands-on experience at companies like Restoration Hardware. This combination of academic learning and real-world application gave her invaluable insight into both the design process and client interaction.
After earning her Interior Architecture degree in 2016, Elaine dove into the hospitality sector, working as an associate interior designer for a hotel renovation firm. This experience in fast-paced, client-focused projects has prepared her well for the commercial design challenges we tackle daily.
## Beyond the Drawing Board
What makes Elaine particularly exciting as a team member? Her adventurous spirit extends far beyond design. Last year, she celebrated her birthday by skydiving—and she's considering making it an annual tradition. When she's not jumping out of planes, you might catch her singing along to country music, with "Friends in Low Places" being her go-to karaoke choice.
## Getting to Know Elaine: Ten Quick Questions
**Hometown:** West Covina, California
**Previous Role:** Associate Interior Designer at a hotel renovation company
**Desert Island Essentials:** Solar-powered charger, filter water bottle, and a knife—clearly someone who thinks practically under pressure
**Culinary Adventure:** After initial reluctance, she's now a fan of unagi (grilled eel)
**Dream Party Theme:** Phantom of the Opera with country music star Brett Eldredge as guest of honor—an intriguing combination that speaks to her eclectic tastes
## What Elaine Brings to Commercial Design
Elaine's background spans retail environments and hospitality spaces, giving her a comprehensive understanding of how design impacts both employee productivity and customer experience. Her retail experience at Restoration Hardware honed her eye for quality materials and finishes, while her hotel renovation work taught her to balance aesthetic vision with practical operational needs.
"I look forward to developing my skillset in a more focused role where I can contribute to the company's success and growth," Elaine shares. "I hope to bring fresh energy and perspective from my background in both retail and the architecture and design environment."
## The Value of Diverse Experience
In commercial interior design, the most successful projects come from understanding how spaces truly function for their users. Elaine's combination of retail sales experience and hospitality design work provides exactly this kind of user-focused perspective. She understands both the customer journey and the operational requirements that make commercial spaces successful.
Her fresh perspective will be particularly valuable as we continue to navigate the evolving needs of commercial clients in a post-pandemic world, where flexibility, functionality, and employee wellbeing have become paramount considerations.
Welcome to the Tangram family, Elaine. We're excited to see how your energy, experience, and unique viewpoint will enhance our team's ability to create exceptional commercial spaces.
