a journey from Joiner to Designer

David Orchard is the Manager of Orchard Joinery in the Kapiti Coast of Wellington, a business which his parents have owned for 29 years.

Having worked in the industry for 15 years, and with eight of those spent on the floor building and manufacturing, David has an extensive background in the sector. His move to the office and into management came about a few years ago after he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery and a recommendation from his medical team for him to find another profession. Passionate about the industry and with a Certificate in Joinery Craftsperson already under his belt, David took on the office role at Orchard Joinery to continue doing what he loves.

“I love the challenge of joinery, finding creative solutions to problems and the meticulous nature of the job. I also really enjoy creating amazing spaces for our customers and watching an idea transform into a reality. When I injured my shoulder, I had to find a way to continue and that meant moving into an office role. Initially I reluctantly took a position in the office, but now it has grown into a career and a pathway to enjoying joinery once more,” says David. Taking on the role of designer, David has been creating concepts and designs for the clients of Orchard Joinery for some time, however a chance meeting at a Master Joiner Conference opened the door for the next step in his design journey.

“I had the opportunity to watch Mark Bruce present at conference and his message really rang true. That study would give me an edge in joinery and that having skills in both design and joinery would be beneficial and that studying for a Diploma would help me to continue to develop as a designer. I signed up to complete my National Diploma in Kitchen Design through the NKBA shortly after his presentation and I haven’t looked back,” says David.

Mark Bruce is a tutor of the National Diploma in Kitchen Design, a joiner, an awardwinning designer and a member of the NKBA Board. He is an advocate for joiners completing a design qualification and how it will improve your offering and give your client’s greater confidence in your abilities and design background.

Currently studying in his first year of the course, David says the Diploma has already made a difference to how he works.

“I have a whole lot of new knowledge, and this is helping me to be quicker and more efficient with my design, I am thinking more strategically about my work, and I have a new level of understanding about design and why we do things from a new perspective. I am really looking forward to year two when we study colour and texture and other more aesthetic areas of design as this is a space I would like to do some professional development in,” says David.

David says his advice is simple to joiners who are thinking about improving their design skills or worry that they are missing out on business because they don’t have the design qualifications to back up their experience. Get qualified. “Sometimes the danger of being head down in your work, means you don’t keep up with new innovations and practices. You would be surprised about the amount of information and knowledge that can come out of study. I would also highly recommend becoming a member of NKBA. It is fantastic to belong to a large professional organisation that promotes good design and improving professionalism. There is a lot to learn and gain from membership.”

I had the opportunity to watch Mark Bruce present at conference and his message really rang true. That study would give me an edge in joinery and that having skills in both design and joinery would be beneficial and that studying for a Diploma would help me to continue to develop as a designer.

For more information on the NKBA or the National Diploma in Kitchen Design visit: Be Educated - NKBA