10 with the Team: Marcus Miller
July 30, 2026
Meet Marcus Miller, a Senior Designer and 2026 Interior Design NEXT Award recipient whose work is shaped by research, context, and a deep appreciation for how creative ideas are brought to life. In this conversation, they share how their family’s hands-on approach to making shaped their path, why fashion and history continue to influence their design thinking, and how soccer, community, and time spent at the Met keep them inspired beyond the studio.
Marcus Miller
Senior Designer
What first drew you to your field, and what keeps you excited about it today?
I was first drawn to design through my family. My parents renovated my childhood home themselves, so I grew up around construction, from knocking down lath and plaster to putting up drywall and plywood. My grandfather worked in HVAC, my uncles were connected to engineering and architecture, and my brother is an engineer, so I was surrounded by both hands-on trade work and technical thinking. I think I was drawn to the more creative side of that world: making spaces and creating a home.
How would you describe your creative perspective in your work and in everyday life?
A lot of my creativity comes from references. I’m always thinking about the history of a project, the history of a place, and how a design can integrate into its community. That carries into my everyday life too, from the way I dress to the way my apartment looks. It all feels connected, and I’m constantly paying attention to aesthetics in a very fluid way.
When you start a new project, what’s the first thing you look for or pay attention to?
I always look for historical and cultural context first. When we’re working in a place outside of New York, it’s important to understand the community, climate, and history that came before us. I don’t want a project to feel like it’s changing a place without respecting what’s already there. That context can become a really strong source of inspiration.
You were featured by Interior Design for the Whoop project in Boston. What about that project best reflects the way you approach design?
It was exciting to be featured alongside so many talented people, and the project itself was a really interesting case study. Whoop was a young fitness technology brand, so we pulled from track-and-field references, sport, and their color identity to help expand the brand through the space. The project was controversial at first because of its visibility near Fenway, but once people saw the full design, they understood the opportunity it brought. It showed how a bold brand moment can become more connected to a community over time.
How do you balance the creative side of a project with the technical follow-through?
For me, creativity and technicality have to work hand in hand. I don’t usually think about a concept without also thinking about how it will actually be built. In past roles, the design and technical sides were often very separate, but I’ve always tried to understand both. That helps me guide an idea from concept through detailing, coordination, and construction.
What’s been inspiring your thinking lately?
Lately, the World Cup has been a huge source of inspiration. It’s been amazing to see countries and communities come together, especially here in New York. The city has had this completely different energy, with so much tourism, excitement, and connection. It’s been a reminder of how shared experiences can shift the feeling of a place.
Where do you tend to find inspiration outside of architecture, design, or your immediate role?
Fashion is a big source of inspiration for me. I went to F.I.T, and while I wasn’t always fully interested in fashion while I was there, I came to realize how closely fashion and design work together. Fashion is often ahead in forecasting trends, and those ideas naturally influence interiors, imagery, and the way people experience space. I love seeing how creative minds in fashion shape broader visual culture.
Is there a creative practice or approach you’re always returning to?
Research is something I’m always returning to. I like building a project from references, whether they come from history, place, fashion, art, or the people who will use the space. I think those references help a project feel more layered and specific. They also help create something new without ignoring the context around it.
How do you typically spend your time outside of work to recharge, reset, or stay curious?
Soccer is a huge part of my life. I play three to four times a week and am involved in the leadership of my league, which has become a really important community for me. I also love going to the movies by myself because it gives me space to sit with something and process it. Museums are another way I recharge, especially the Met, which is one of my favorite places in the city.