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Candace O.

Commercial Interior Designer with AutoCAD experience

Ottawa, Canada

Global rank:

7,693 / 112,930

Skill pts: 5

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About

Candace is a seasoned design and project management professional with over 22 years of experience in the construction and interior design industries, with a strong focus on AutoCAD and technical drawing standards. Holding a Project Management Certificate from Ryerson’s Chang School and a diploma in Interior Design from the Academy of Design, the candidate is ARIDO and NCIDQ certified, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.

A power user of AutoCAD with advanced skills in 2D drafting and drawing production, the candidate also demonstrates proficiency in REVIT, Photoshop, SketchUp, and other key software used in design documentation and visualization. They have taught AutoCAD to students and junior staff, reflecting their deep understanding of the software and their ability to transfer knowledge effectively.

Their technical experience spans work on commercial, retail, hospitality, and government projects through roles with AECOM, Nautilus Design Group, and as principal of Candace Lynn Design. Responsibilities have included base building plans, construction drawing sets, millwork detailing, code compliance layouts, and coordination with consultants and stakeholders. Their work has often involved government contracts, requiring precision, security clearance, and adherence to strict documentation standards.

In addition to CAD production, the candidate has led creative direction and managed design phases from concept through construction, integrating AutoCAD workflows into project planning, procurement, and client presentations. Their combined expertise in technical drafting, project execution, and design management positions them as a reliable and well-rounded contributor to multidisciplinary teams.

Experience

Owner/Designer Candace Lynn Design · Self-employed Mar 2016 – Present 9 yrs 8 mos Ottawa, ON, Canada Business Management

- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement business strategies to grow the firm, establish brand identity, and remain competitive in the market.

- Financial Oversight: Manage the firm's finances, including budgeting, pricing, invoicing, payroll, and financial reporting.

- Operations Management: Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the firm's administrative functions.

- Human Resources: Hire, train, and manage staff, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring professional development opportunities for team members.

- Client Acquisition and Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong client relationships through networking, marketing, and customer service. Handle negotiations and contracts.

Creative Direction

- Design Leadership: Lead and inspire the design team, setting design standards and ensuring the quality and consistency of projects align with the firm's aesthetic and brand.

- Project Management: Oversee the entire design process from concept to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

- Client Consultation and Briefing: Work closely with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and budgets, translating them into viable design solutions.

- Design Development: Create design concepts, including mood boards, sketches, and digital renderings. Select materials, furnishings, and finishes that align with the design vision.

- Quality Control: Check drawings for accuracy and completeness, ensuring that they meet the required building codes, standards, specifications and best practices

- Technical Drawings and Documentation: Create and oversee the preparation of detailed design drawings, layouts, color schemes, and material selections, using CAD software

- Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of projects. Resolve any issues that arise during the design and implementation phases.

Marketing and Brand Development

- Marketing Strategy: Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote the firm’s services, focusing on digital marketing, social media, and traditional advertising methods.

- Portfolio Management: Curate and update the firm's portfolio, including photography of completed projects and case studies to showcase the firm's work to potential clients.

- Public Relations: Act as the public face of the firm, participating in industry events, speaking engagements, or media interviews to enhance brand recognition.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

- Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest trends, innovations, and technologies in interior design and incorporate these insights into projects and business strategies.

- Professional Development: Pursue ongoing education to refine design skills and maintain professional certifications, if applicable.

Government Contracts:
Tribunal: Accommodations Manager
Justice Department: Accommodations Manager
ISED (Industry Canada): Designer
Health Canada: Accommodations Manager
Defence Construction Canada: Design Consultant
Retail Projects:
Omniscient Wellness Centre – 4500 sq.ft. personal services with hair salon and café (Nepean)
Dream Cannabis – on third location, first 2 were 1000 sq.ft each storefront retail space
Electrical Banana – 500 sq. ft. retail space – cannabis (Ottawa)
Corporate Projects:
Alarm.com – 3500 sq.ft Office Space
Trading Central – 1500 sq. ft. office space
Hospitality Projects:
The Swiss Alps: Restaurant 2500 sq. ft. (Renfrew)
Hoo Lee Gardens: Mixed restaurant and residential 3 storey 5000 square feet (Cobourg)
Toronto Restaurant
FREELANCE DESIGNER/CO-ORDINATOR, 2003 –2011 (4 projects highlighted) Variety · Freelance Jun 2003 – Feb 2025 21 yrs 8 mos Toronto, ON, Canada Britican Facilities Management: Interior Designer

- Client Consultation: Meet with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and budgetary constraints. Discuss the desired purpose, style, and feel of the space.

- Space Planning: Develop layouts and floor plans to achieve optimal use of space, circulation, and functionality. This includes creating detailed design plans like sketches, drawings, and computer-rendered images.

- Concept Development: Generate design concepts that align with the client's vision. This involves selecting color schemes, furniture, fixtures, and fittings that complement the overall style and function of the space.

- Technical Drawings and Documentation: Create and oversee the preparation of detailed design drawings, layouts, color schemes, and material selections, using CAD software

- Quality Control: Check drawings for accuracy and completeness, ensuring that they meet the required building codes, standards, specifications and best practices

- Budget Management: Estimate project costs and work within a budget. Source cost-effective materials and negotiate with suppliers and vendors to manage expenses effectively.

- Material Selection: Choose appropriate materials, finishes, and furnishings considering aspects like durability, aesthetic, and maintenance.

- Coordination and Collaboration: Work closely with architects, contractors, and other professionals to ensure design specifications are implemented correctly and within project timelines.

- Project Management: Oversee the progress of the design project, manage timelines, and ensure it adheres to compliance and safety regulations. This includes site visits to monitor construction, installations, or renovations.

- Problem Solving: Address and resolve any issues that arise during the design process or execution, adapting plans as necessary to overcome obstacles.

- Trend Analysis**: Stay updated with the latest industry trends, materials, and technology advancements to incorporate into their designs.

- Client Communication: Maintain clear and ongoing communications with clients throughout the project to update them on progress and adjust the design according to feedback.

- Post-Project Evaluation: Conduct a walkthrough after project completion to ensure the design and implementation meet client satisfaction and make any necessary adjustments.

AECOM: Draftsperson

- Technical Drawing Creation: Develop precise and detailed drawings, blueprints, or plans for structures, products, or systems using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

- Collaboration: Work closely with architects, engineers, designers, and other professionals to understand project requirements and incorporate necessary changes or details into drawings.

- Adherence to Standards: Ensure that all drawings and plans comply with industry standards, regulations, and company guidelines.

- Revisions and Modification: Update and revise existing drawings to reflect changes, modifications, or corrections as needed.

- Drafting from Sketches: Convert verbal descriptions or rough sketches provided by engineers or designers into detailed drawings.

- Specification Analysis: Analyze and interpret specifications, sketches, and drawings to determine drawing requirements.

- Quality Control: Check drawings for accuracy and completeness, ensuring that they meet the required standards and specifications.

- Document Management: Maintain and organize all drawings and related documentation for easy retrieval and reference.

- Material Lists: Prepare lists of required materials and components, sometimes used for cost estimations and procurement.

Nautilus Design Group: Senior interior designer

- Design Leadership: Lead and oversee the development of design concepts for various projects, ensuring that they align with the client's vision and objectives.

- Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from initial concept through to completion, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

- Client Consultation: Meet with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and budget constraints, and provide expert advice to guide them through the design process.

- Team Supervision: Lead and mentor a team of junior designers and other staff, providing guidance and feedback to help develop their skills and ensure the quality of work meets the firm's standards.

- Technical Drawings and Documentation: Create and oversee the preparation of detailed design drawings, layouts, color schemes, and material selections, often using CAD software.

- Vendor and Supplier Coordination: Source and collaborate with vendors, contractors, and suppliers to procure materials and furnishings, ensuring they meet quality and design specifications.

- Budget Management: Develop and manage project budgets, prepare cost estimates, and ensure financial targets are met, identifying and addressing any discrepancies.

- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all design and construction adheres to relevant local and national building codes, safety standards, and environmental regulations.

- Quality Assurance: Conduct site visits and oversee installations to ensure that the design vision is being accurately and effectively implemented.

- Trend Research: Stay up to date with the latest design trends, materials, and technologies to introduce innovative solutions to projects.

- Presentation and Reporting: Prepare and deliver compelling presentations and reports to clients and stakeholders, effectively communicating design proposals and project progress.

- Networking and Business Development: Build and maintain relationships with clients, industry professionals, and potential business partners to generate new business opportunities.

Artist’s Design Group: Project Coordinator

- Planning and Scheduling: Develop project timelines and schedules to ensure all phases of the interior design project are completed on time. This includes coordinating with designers, contractors, and clients to align schedules.

- Budget Management: Assist in preparing and managing the project budget by monitoring expenses and ensuring costs remain within agreed limits.

- Communication and Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact between clients, designers, suppliers, and contractors. Facilitate effective communication to ensure all parties are informed and aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of all project details, including contracts, invoices, design plans, and correspondence. Provide regular updates and reports on project status to stakeholders.

- Procurement and Vendor Coordination: Oversee the ordering and timely delivery of materials, furnishings, and fixtures. Work with suppliers to ensure quality control and resolve any issues related to deliveries.

- Quality Assurance: Ensure that the design execution meets company standards and client expectations by conducting regular site visits and inspections throughout the project duration.

- Problem-Solving: Identify potential issues or challenges early on and collaborate with the team to develop effective solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to the project workflow.

- Support to the Design Team: Provide administrative and logistical support to the interior design team, including coordinating meetings, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with design research as needed.

- Client Relationship Management: Foster strong relationships with clients through attentive service and proactive communication, ensuring their needs and preferences are fully understood and addressed.

- Compliance and Regulation: Ensure that all design activities comply with relevant building codes, health and safety regulations, and other legal requirements.

- Post-Project Follow-up: Coordinate project closeout activities, including final inspections, obtaining client feedback, and addressing any post-completion issues or improvements.
PART-TIME PROFESSOR of AUTOCAD, Algonquin College, 2014 –2015 Algonquin College · Part-time Sep 2014 – Dec 2015 1 yrs 3 mos Ottawa, ON, Canada - Curriculum Development: Design and develop course materials, including syllabi, lesson plans, assignments, and exams, ensuring that they meet academic standards and industry requirements.

- Instruction: Deliver lectures, conduct workshops, and provide practical demonstrations to teach students the functionalities and applications of AutoCAD.

- Student Engagement: Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment, encourage student participation, and facilitate discussions to deepen understanding and application of AutoCAD.

- Assessment and Evaluation: Develop assessment tools to evaluate student progress, provide constructive feedback, and grade assignments and exams accurately and fairly.

- Practical Guidance: Offer hands-on training and supervision during lab sessions to help students practice and improve their AutoCAD skills.

- Stay Updated: Keep current with the latest developments in AutoCAD software and updates, as well as emerging trends in the CAD industry, to ensure that teaching content is relevant.
Design consultant Defence Construction Canada · Full-time Mar 2011 – Apr 2014 3 yrs 1 mos Petawawa, ON, Canada • Stakeholder Engagement and Needs Assessment: Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to assess spatial requirements, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and optimizing space utilization.
• Project Planning and Execution: Led the planning and organization of office relocations, coordinating logistics to minimize disruption and ensure seamless transitions. Participated in multidisciplinary project teams throughout the project lifecycle, including goal identification, strategy formulation, implementation, and oversight of sequential steps.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting: Monitored and tracked project progress, maintaining schedules and budgets, and providing regular updates to stakeholders. Reviewed project schedules and cost estimates to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Design and Fit-Up Projects: Designed and executed fit-up projects across various sectors, including offices, hospitals, schools, and other institutional and assembly spaces, adhering to relevant building codes, standards, and ergonomic considerations. Prepared design layouts and provided comprehensive space planning services.
• Workspace Planning and Supervision: Led the planning and design of office spaces, supervising the installation and reconfiguration of workspaces to ensure quality control and adherence to design specifications. Coordinated the specification and installation of electrical, voice, data, and coaxial outlets to support workspace modifications.
• Construction Oversight: Supervised construction sites, identifying deficiencies and ensuring compliance with project specifications and safety standards. Managed the coordination and implementation of small to large space retrofits or fit-up projects.
• Procurement and Contract Management: Developed bid evaluation criteria, assessed proposals against mandatory requirements, and conducted pricing and delivery negotiations prior to contract awards. Recommended contract awards and facilitated the issuance of contracts, standing offers, or supply arrangements in accordance with procurement policies.
• Technical Design and Compliance: Prepared AutoCAD drawings for tender, permit, and construction phases, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, codes, standards, and regulations. Selected and applied appropriate colour schemes, lighting, materials, and integrated electrical and mechanical elements to enhance functionality and aesthetics.
• Financial and Administrative Tasks: Prepared and issued Work Orders and Purchase Orders, managed project budgets, and ensured timely procurement of furniture and trades. Organized fiscal year programs with budget planning, scheduling work, and assisting in creating time and budget estimates.
• Research and Specification Writing: Analyzed clients’ needs for each project, researched products and construction methods, and wrote specifications using relevant laws, codes, and standards.
• Project Portfolio: Managed diverse projects, including complete and partial renovations of accommodations interiors, electrical and mechanical upgrades, street lighting enhancements, kitchen upgrades, re-roofing, and paving upgrades with new parking lots and drainage systems.
• Process Improvement: Proposed and implemented process improvements, including writing a proposal to expand my position, resulting in an estimated annual savings of approximately $270,000 for Ontario’s Forces Housing Unit.

Education

CONESTOGA COLLEGE 2013 Estimating, Estimating Construction Projects, A 2013 – 2013
SAIT 2012 - 2013 Diploma, Principals of Construction Documents, and Specifier 1, A 2012 – 2013
RYERSON CHANG SCHOOL 2009-2010 Certificate, Project management for Construction, A 2009 – 2010 PMP preparation concentrating on Construction Projects.
ACADEMY OF DESIGN 2001 – 2003 Interior Design Diploma, Interior Design, A 2001 – 2003
ACADEMY OF DESIGN 2000 – 2001 Diploma, AutoCAD drafting, A 2000 – 2001

Other experience

Committees and Accomplishments • Registered Specification Writer in process,
• BCIN- Legal and Small Buildings, Large Buildings
• Set Designer for Deep River Players and Streetlight Theatre (Pembroke) 2011-2014
• Planning Advisory Committee Cobourg 2006-2010,
• Stainmaster Design Team 2005-2006,

Licenses & Certifications

NCIDQ NCIDQ Jul 2019 – Present See credential
ARIDO Registered Interior Designer ARIDO Sep 2003 – Present See credential