Meet Candace Rimes | Design Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candace Rimes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been a maker and surrounded by creative thinkers. Growing up, my mom was a teacher and my dad an engineer but both were also incredibly talented artists. They were always working on a creative project that I am sure they wished they had more time for…so at an early age they encouraged me to explore different creative realms: writing, photography, painting, and ceramics. I honestly think my early exposure to these fields intersected by the practical and functional lens of my dad’s profession propelled me to live and breathe design!

I also credit my education at Auburn University, specifically my time completing my thesis at The Rural Studio, within instilling in me the importance of making things which are useful, or which make people smile.

These influences have driven me to build my career around creating thoughtful environments and experiences for my clients that enrich their lives and bring them success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I strive to design spaces in the commercial and private sectors that enhance quality of life and support local emerging artists and makers in the process.

Our approach at Fogarty Finger Architecture begins with forming a strong relationship with our client and site. My personal process relies heavily on research: site tours (where I often take photos of the colors and textures), executive interviews, surveys, and visioning sessions are integral in creating a bespoke environment that goes above and beyond our client’s goals. In addition to architectural visioning, I also immediately start to identify local emerging furniture makers, fabricators, and artists that we can collaborate with, making the projects that much richer. A lot of times, I am inspired by the artists’ stories and perspectives they have on the project, site, or city, as they are often truly in tune with the location and local pulse. From the beginning of a project, I start pulling together a color story and surround myself with potential materials and imagery, often inspired by our client’s goals, existing brand, and site context. All of these elements woven together contribute to my design process and transformation of space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Friday Night – Bonfire and smores in our backyard in Candler Park (if chilly enough out!) Saturday Morning – Bike to Muchacho along the beltline – best breakfast tacos ever!
Saturday Afternoon – Bike to Krog and then over to Cabbagetown, along the way stop at the White Space gallery (incredible local artists feature in a carriage house in historic Inman Park). Bike through cabbagetown and soak up the historic architecture and mural walk.
Saturday Evening – Dinner in Summerhill at Talat Market or Little Bear
Sunday Morning – Breakfast at Taiwanese popup at Gato in Candler park called “Mighty Hans” then walk around the High Museum

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
“Find the people you admire, then work with them or for them.” I have been so lucky to find and be surrounded by strong and supportive women throughout my career. It is so important, as women in this industry, to lift each other up and create positive environments where employees can thrive and do their best work. So, a big shoutout to all the supportive and talented women in my life.

Growing and mentoring my team has proven to be the most rewarding aspect of my career. The people that I work with constantly inspire me to be a better designer. Everyone has such diverse backgrounds and varying passions that all blend together and result in really beautiful and rich projects. We all consider ourselves storytellers as well as designers, and we try to carry that spirit through into all of our work. Another shoutout to my amazing team in NYC and Atlanta!

Equally rewarding has been partnering with and supporting the local artist & artisan communities surrounding our projects. It is these partnerships that enrich each project and create emotional responses and experiences for our clients. It is an aspect of design that i I am very passionate about and I find critical to all Fogarty Finger (FFA) projects. My team and I are excited to support the artist and artisan community in Atlanta!

Here are some artisans & artists that we collaborate with and inspire us:
Blackshop Bham – steel furniture makers
Skylar Morgan – local furniture maker
B-10 Union – local furniture maker
Shannon Coppage – painter
Stacy Milburn – mirror artist

Website: Fogartyfinger.com

Instagram: Fogarty Finger

Linkedin: Candace Rimes

Image Credits
photography by connie zhou