Not Sure Where to Hire a Virtual Design Assistant? Here's 11 Boss Ladies Ready to Get You Started!
If you want to grow your design business, your first stop should be researching where to hire a virtual design assistant who can help you with renderings, drafting, and more.
You’ve got an eye for great design and your clients flock to you for creative, well-executed projects. Now, you’re wondering if there’s a way that you could take on more work, without stretching yourself too thin. You’re curious whether clients might be encouraged to buy more and expand contracts if they could clearly envision the plans that are laid out in front of them.
Maybe you’re a designer with extensive training in rendering, but you just don’t have the time to dedicate to thoughtful, beautifully-designed drawings. Perhaps you don’t have carefully honed rendering skills –– and aren’t interested in adding rendering to the list of services you personally offer. Or, maybe, you’re finding yourself bogged down in admin work and wishing you had time to focus on client relations and doing what you love, design. You need someone reliable to turn to when you need an extra set of hands and a trained eye.
Where to Hire a Virtual Design Assistant
But, where do you start when you’re in the market to hire a virtual design assistant? For starters, join us over in the Presentation by Design Facebook group to network with, bounce ideas off of, and find support from other designers and virtual design assistants. Then, turn to this list of virtual design assistants, where we’ve broken down their specialties, background, qualifications, and where to find them.
These VDAs specialize in software from Chief Architect to Home Designer to SketchUp. They have years of experience between them and each have a different set of strengths in rendering, drafting, space planning, project management, sourcing, and more. Your next right hand design (wo)man could be below.
And, a quick note…
Not ready to bring on a virtual design assistant, but want to strengthen your rendering and drafting services for clients? I offer virtual one-on-one trainings on Chief Architect and Home Designer. Students bring an active project –– or a dream project –– to the table and I work with them one-on-one to bring it to life. I’d love to chat if you’re ready to take your renderings to the next level.
Find Your Next Virtual Design Assistant Here
(the list is in the order that blog applications were received)
Germaine Gill
Offering Professional Designer to Designer Service
Experience: With a background in full-service interior design, Germaine found her true passion in the detail-oriented process of renderings, drawings, and elevations. It's seeing a space come together that sparks her creativity! She opened her designer-to-designer firm specializing in renderings, drawings, and more in 2019.
Preferred Rendering Software: Sketchup, Enscape, Twinmotion
In Germaine's Own Words: "I love working on renderings and drawings while allowing designers to free up their already busy schedules for more clients meetings, product sourcing or spending time with their family. I love helping my clients get excited about their projects. My renders showcase the exact lighting, furniture, Millwork models that my clients have sourced. I feel that renders should portray what the end result will be, not what it would be. My clients love being able to make adjustments before presentation day to make sure the exact vision is achieved! It’s easier to change a render than it is a renovation or build. Plus it’s way cheaper, too!"
Janelle Hawkins
Providing Designers With Technical Services
Experience: Janelle’s analytical brain and attention to detail makes her an expert at efficiently tackling the technical aspects of design. That ability led to the accidental development of Hawkins Design Collective. As fellow designers asked for Janelle’s help with AutoCAD and 3D renderings, she realized she had a passion and natural knack for technical design and could serve as a resource for others. After 5 years in the interior industry, Hawkins Design Collective was founded.
Preferred Rendering Software: AutoCAD and SketchUp with Vray
In Janelle's Own Words: "As an experienced interior designer, I know what you need to sell your design. I have always excelled in the technical aspects of interior design, and pride myself on developing a beautiful presentation. Your project becomes my project. “
Lauren Brantley
Communication is Key to a Successful Client Experience
Experience: Laura has a B.S. in Interior Design from Liberty University works with designers as a VDA on renderings, project management, and mood board/concept board visualization.
Preferred Rendering Software: eDesign Tribe, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator
Where You Can Find Me: Edesign Tribe
In Her Own Words: Ever since I was a little girl I guess you would say I have had a “knack” for design. When I was seven I would draw up makeshift floor plans of my dream house, doorways and all! Once my parents bought me my first drafting table at thirteen I thought my world was complete. My sophomore year of college I started Lauren Ashley Design as a blog to post updates and design tips for followers. In the past year, the small blog has become much more. Lauren Ashley Design has become a platform for others to find easy access to design through e-design. I truly am living my childhood dreams as an e-designer.
When working with designers, I try to think of their company as if it was my own. The main thing I do with all my clients is communicate. Communication is key with all my clients you will find that at Lauren Ashley Design that communication is easy and effective!”
Kelly Egan
Eclectic and Creative Solutions for Your Design Challenges
Experience: Kelly works on renderings and concept boards, as well as digital staging and residential digital marketing.
Fun Fact: Kelly Egan and Kelly Fridline graduated from the same High School in Catonsville, MD where they were took several art classes together! They reconnected via the EDesign Tribe Facebook Group.
Preferred Rendering Software: Photoshop, eDesign Tribe, SketchUp, Canva
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Edesign Tribe
In Her Own Words: I have taken my design and decorating skills online so that I can share them on a far-reaching platform and connect with you from the comfort of your home. Do you struggle with defining what style you like? Do you like 2 or more design styles? Then I am your girl! With my love for travel, touring historic homes, art history and architecture; and you get an eDesigner with an eye for detail that is ready to curate your room in your signature style.
Ashley Berdan
A Multi-Faceted Designer Merging the Functional and Aesthetic
Experience: Ashley comes from a design-build background and has three years of VDA experience in renderings, drafting, space planning, sourcing, Ivy input, and art selections.
Preferred Rendering Software: AutoCAD, Photoshop, EDesign Tribe Platform, SketchUp
Additionally, she’s knowledgable in Google Suite, Microsoft and Drop Box, Excel, Ivy, Asana, Trello, Canva, Pinterest, Tailwind, and more.
In Her Own Words: I am a multifaceted designer, highly versed in many softwares/programs, with a love for art, which I use to inspire almost all of my designs. I offer art consulting to my clients as well as other designers, working now to gain certification from the Museum of Modern Art in Modern Art and Ideas. I also extend my edesign services to other traditional interior designers who do not have to manpower or know how to take on edesign projects. The edesign is done under the designer's company name, keeping in mind the designer's own brand and look. When a designer works with me for an edesign project, I put together an onboarding and measuring guide with the designer's own branding. They can have as little or as much collaboration on the design as they'd like. The design is done by me, but has the look of the design firm I am working with.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Edesign Tribe, Elite Design Assistants
Samantha Peters
Residential + Commercial Architectural and Interior Designer
Experience: Samantha holds an accredited Master of Architecture from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture with a minor in Interior Design from Texas Tech University. She brings 10 years of professional experience (working at an architectural and interior design firm) to her business, with experience in construction drawings, renderings, space planning, mood/concept boards, presentation development, sourcing, and construction administration related tasks.
Preferred Rendering Software: Revit, SketchyUp, MyDoma, Design Files, eDesign Tribe, Homestyler, Bluebeam
In Her Own Words: I am an architectural and interior designer who works with other designers, contractors, and homebuilders around the world to help them grow their business, meet challenging deadlines, and effectively communicate with their clients. After spending a decade working in a commercial design firm, I believe that every successful designer and contractor needs someone who they can rely on to elevate their business. I am very adaptable, and I can take a project from programming through project closeout. I have extensive construction experience which allows me to quickly pinpoint areas of design that should be re-evaluated. I am currently going through the exam process of being a licensed architect.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Edesign Tribe, Elite Design Assistants, Alignable
Annilee Waterman
An NCIDQ Designer with Fine Arts Experience
Experience: Annilee has 15 years of residential plan drafting and rendering. She has previous fine arts training and experience in film and television that’s given her a skilled critical eye for beautiful renderings.
Preferred Rendering Software: Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, eDesign Tribe
In Her Own Words: Annilee designs homes from top to bottom, inside & out, specializing in 3d renderings. She is an NCIDQ designer and is authorized to design architecture for residential buildings, and is a Professional Member of The American Institute of Building Design. Annilee lives just outside Dallas Texas, in a vintage Cape Cod cottage in the woods. Her studio is in her home, and she is happy to meet via Zoom. Through E-Design, she works with clients all over the world.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Edesign Tribe
Karen Azagoury
Experience Working with Designers and Architects
Experience: Karen holds a BFA in Architecture from Veritas University and a BFA in Interior Design from the Miami International University of Art and Design. She has four years of experience providing AutoCAD drawings, rendering, and Photoshop services to other designers. She also offers space planning, construction documents, remodeling and millwork, and 3D renderings.
Preferred Rendering Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Photoshop
In Her Own Words: My background working with not only interior designers but also with architects gives me the confidence and knowledge to connect both fields and to have the ability to see architecture and interior design as a whole.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: ASID South Florida
Gintare Sidaraviciute
GsInteriors | 3D Visualisation
Passionate and Award-Winning 3D Designer
Experience: Gintare has provided rendering services for over 2 years. She works on 360-degree renderings and floor plans for interior, exterior, and commercial
Preferred Rendering Software: Sketchup, Vray, and Photoshop
In Her Own Words: I am an award-winning Interior Designer / 3D Visualiser with First Class Honours Degree from Southampton Solent University. I own a company GsInteriors | 3D Visualisation and have been working as a 3D Visualiser for over two years. I am working with international designers and helping them to create their vision and produce photorealistic 3D renders. I have been featured in Sketchup UK and Cadsoft Solutions case studies where we talked about my journey and they showcased some of my work. With a degree in interior design and passion for 3D visualisation, I always make sure to provide the best work attitude and create amazing renders.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Sketchup UK, Cadsoft Solutions
Laura Engel
Design Solutions Specializing in Kitchen & Bath
Experience: Laura is transferring her remodeling and Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR) skills to her new business pursuit as a VDA and renderer. Her expertise includes visualizing layout & materials and she is currently expanding services to include renderings, 2D, 3D models, floor plans, and project management.
Preferred Rendering Software: Chief Architect Pro, SketchUp, eDesign Tribe
In Her Own Words: Coming from the remodeling side, I prefer helping designers draft & space plan - up to the finishes part. I love rolling up my sleeves, opening walls with subs to determine what is and isn't possible. I am committed to showcasing your vision to your clients – on time and within budget.
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: Presentation by Design, Edesign Tribe, ids
Sonja Capasso
A Meticulous Renderer with Diverse Experience
Experience: Sonja has 6 years of experience in renderings, drafting, and space planning. She found herself focusing on helping other designers with rendering and drafting after graduating from college and realized it was a perfect match for her meticulous personality! She also is proficient in multiple programs. Fun fact: Kelly helped Sonja learn Chief Architect!
Preferred Rendering Software: Chief Architect, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop
In Her Own Words: This work fulfills me more than I can explain. I have a love for drafting and rendering, and immense admiration for the clients I have the privilege to work with!
Additional Communities & Directories Where You Can Find Me: eDesign Tribe