Karl Mok stars in BBC's Interior Design Masters
APL graduate and tutor in BA Architecture Karl Mok is one of 10 contestants in the fourth series of Interior Design Masters
8 March 2023
After graduating, Karl established a business providing a one-stop interior and architectural design subscription, with the support of the University’s START UP team. Friends Studio is based in Newcastle and connects professional interior designers and architects with clients personally, granting access to interior design experts on demand.
Karl will be one of 10 contestants on the fourth season of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters, hosted by Alan Carr and interiors guru Michelle Ogundehin. The reality show sees talented designers compete against one another in a series of challenges for a chance to win a commercial contract.
Originally hailing from Malaysia, Karl moved to the UK to study architecture at Newcastle University and has been working in the design industry since 2017. Describing his style as “tropical retro futurism”, he has produced a number of high-profile public installations, and worked on high-street regeneration, commercial, and hospitality projects as a consultant.
“I’m keen on referencing past, especially brutalist, mid-century influences in my design, mixed in with my own heritage growing up in Malaysia - rattan, raw concrete and light materials feature in my designs a lot."
Starting on 7 March, Interior Design Masters will be broadcast every Tuesday on BBC One. Each week, contestants will be tasked with making over a new venue: past series have included restaurant makeovers, shop interiors and even beach hut redesigns.
Having been a long-time fan of the programme, Karl was initially nervous to be a part of the show - but feels he has strengthened his design skills as a result.
“When you’re used to working professionally, you often have to put your own wants second to the client. This was freeing because ultimately you just did as you liked. I learnt to let go of some of my stiffness as a designer and just enjoy the process.
Overall, this was a fantastic experience that will stay with me for a very long time, and I now have nine other design friends that I can always talk to.”