Meet Elisabet Pramono | Interior Designer

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

Hi Elisabet, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Born multiracial in Jakarta, Indonesia, I have been naturally exposed to different cultures and traditions since I was little. With Indonesia being one of the most ethnically diverse societies, I was always able to experience and analyze how different cultures interact and view spaces in different ways which influenced me when designing my projects. This inspired me to pursue a degree and career in Interior Design!

Growing up with my dad being a contractor and a real estate developer back home, I have been exposed to the building arts industry since I was little. I loved going to his projects and learning all the processes of how the different buildings and houses were being designed and built. I also got the opportunity to be involved in community service trips around Indonesia growing up which allowed me to see how important space design is to creating a harmonious society that brings people together.

At first, leaving home and studying abroad was quite difficult for me since all the things that I was familiar with were suddenly gone. I had to find new friends and communities. However, thanks to SCAD (Savannah College of Arts and Design)’s supportive environment, I was able to showcase my culture and background creatively.

My background and culture greatly influence my passion and the direction of my projects. Since I grew up with vibrant cultures around me at all times, I always want to celebrate it for all of my projects. For example, for my senior project, I created a Rattan Community Learning Center for the new generation of rattan artisans as well as Indonesian consumers which focuses on providing education and information on how important it is to preserve this craft interactively. This project was created inspired by and for home, which is something I want to continue to do as I build my career.

After growing up in Indonesia and studying in the States, to me, a well-designed space is where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted despite their diverse backgrounds. It is where people can come together, relate to, and learn about each other by simply being in the same space. As an Interior Designer, I want my designs to not only focus on aesthetics but also on finding ways to celebrate different cultures and stories through experiences, fulfilling Indonesia’s motto; “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Traveling and living away from home was a struggle. As someone who does not enjoy change, I was scared of starting new especially when I am far away from my support system. However, I was able to find my community, especially my Indonesian friends who made Savannah feel like home. Don’t get me wrong, I would always count the days until school break so that I could fly back. However, as I familiarize myself with Savannah and college life, I find myself calling Savannah home. Well, now I have to do this all over again as I will be graduating and moving out of Savannah in June :”). But I have learned that life is full of changes and it is okay to not know what you are doing. I am now just trusting the process and excited to see where life will take me next.

Going to art school is definitely tough since we are always bombarded with unending projects, However, I am so grateful that art school allows me to work on something that I am passionate about. To be honest, I don’t think I would be able to survive in a traditional college. I would rather stay up multiple nights working on a project rather than studying for an exam.

Being surrounded by creative people also has its pros and cons. Seeing all their creative projects and ideas keeps me motivated and inspired. However, all the talents of my colleagues also make it easy to compare myself to others and think that me and my work is not good enough. However, through the years, I learned that everyone has their own journeys and I just need to focus on mine. For my work, I like to focus on telling others’ stories through experiences. I always want my work to have an impact on the community. Hence, as I embark on the professional world, I am excited to see how my ideas could create a positive impact on others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Savannah is such a cute city to visit. As someone who had to take multiple architecture history classes, It is so cool to see all the historic buildings that are scattered across Savannah.

There aren’t that many activities to do in Savannah, but if my best friend were to visit, I would first bring them to Big Bon Bodega to grab a bagel for breakfast or Maple Street for waffles. I would then bring them on a walk through Forsyth Park, the Savannah Historic District. I would then bring them to get lunch at The Flying Monk Noodle Bar or Le Bahn and take a walk down Broughton, City Market, and River Street. For coffee, I would recommend going to one of Savannah’s local coffee places like the Foxy Loxy brands, Gallery Espresso, Franklins, or the Savannah Coffee Roasters. For dinner, I would bring them to E-tang for one of the best Chinese foods in Savannah.

We could also do the touristy things like the ghost tours or ferry ride on the river, and the segway tour across the city, which I myself have not done after spending three years here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story would not be possible without my family. They are the ones who made me who I am today and supported me in every stage of my life.

My dad worked so hard for us to ensure that my brother and I had a good education. He was able to send us to the U.S. to explore our passions. My mom raised me and taught me everything I know. She gave up her time to homeschool me for three years which is where I found my passion in Arts. And last but not least, my big brother and best friend who taught me so many life lessons and also formed my sense of humor by forcing me to watch the office.

I would also give a big shoutout to my friends and family that I made along the way. From my friends back home who always supported me even from far away to my college friends who made Savannah feel like home. Without them, I would not be able to keep my sanity and have these awesome college core memories.

Website: https://issuu.com/elisabetpramono/docs/portfolio

Instagram: elispram.designs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabet-pramono