Our newest One Liner Jason Valentin has recently joined the team as a Project Designer. Jason brings a dynamic vision and skillset to commercial Interior Design. There is so much more to Jason than the projects he delivers, that’s why we are putting a “Spotlight” on Jason (because he loves to be center stage) and sharing 10 ways for you to get to know him.
Lights…Camera…Action
Q. How would you describe this job to a child?
“My nephews ask me this constantly. ‘Jason does design right, he designs houses and buildings?’… not quite but they understand the concept and that design is my profession. I explain simply by drawing a tall building and say, I design all the beds and rooms in this city, and measure with really fancy rulers and crayons. They think I am really cool.”
Q. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
“My alarm clock for the gym. Deadlines can make for long days so the gym keeps me sane and I like to start my day there before work.”
Q. What is your biggest achievement to date?
“Professionally and personally; being on the TLC show was something I never planned for. Naturally I am a planner, long and short terms goals. This was a big bonus accomplishment to be featured on Trading spaces to compete in a design challenge. I won and got to participate in an apprenticeship with Frank Bielec and aired on two more episodes.”
Q. What does a typical day look like for you ?
“A typical day I wake up 6 am, hit the gym then back home to get ready for work and take care of my dogs. Me and my fiancé, Raul have breakfast together and its important time for us. When I get to work I pick up any mail, then get a ‘café con leche’ and then get plugging away. Very often I work late nights waiting for Miami traffic to die down.”
Q. If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?
“No one specifically but I would pursue a career in acting or dancing. That was my original plan, to study Theatre. I did a lot of theatre and dance throughout school, but I knew how competitive and unstable the career was, so I felt like I needed something more reliable. I’m still involved in dancing and I love it, and the TLC episodes gave me an intro to the TV life. Being on camera, center stage, the set and vibe of filming and production it’s such an adrenaline rush.”
Q. What is on your wish list for your next five years here?
“I want to look back on all of the projects we have done and see how much we have grown. This is a special situation to be joining the team on the ground floor, as the first Project Designer, working so closely with the founders. I am excited to see our growth and reflect on where we have been and where we will go next.”
Q. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
“Susan has always been my mentor. She was the reason I came into the Miami market 4 years ago into commercial design. My first job out of school was in Orlando in Model Home merchandizing, 6 months in I realized I had learned as much as I could and became bored. My goal was to jumpstart my career in Miami, so I went on 6 interviews and never heard responses back. Susan interviewed me at her previous firm, after one phone call, we clicked, and she hired me on the spot. Now that she and her partner Karrie have built One Line, and I am her first Project Designer, it feels like it all came full circle, and I am right where I am supposed to be.”
Q. What advice would you give to other designers?
“I think it’s important to find a firm where you have support and great leadership. Without leadership and encouragement, you don’t have a stable team.”
Q. What’s your most memorable facepalm moment?
compassionate
goal oriented
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designer
team player
efficient
“Freshman year of college as a theatre and dance major at U. of Buffalo. I moved to Florida and changed my major to Interior Design thinking it was an easy A and easy career. My ‘oh shit’ moment in my first year of design school was realizing I would need to get licensed. I had so many technical classes and I did terrible and was not expecting the intensity of the program. I failed all my classes and lost my financial aid. After a summer of reflection I did a complete 180, cut off my pony tail, got straight A’s and invested all of my time in design school. I built my passion and gained respect for the industry.”
Q. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
“While in NY for the Gay8 Festival Organization (The largest Hispanic LGBTQ festival in America) to march in World Pride. My Fiancé Raul and I were at Starbucks, they ask for your name and they spelt his name “Rawwool”! We all died laughing so hard that I had to use my inhaler.”
To learn more about Jason, see his handsome face and bio on our Talent page.