Check Out Nina Silver’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Silver.

Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t set out to start a business. It started with a few drafting jobs I picked up after having my first child. I wanted to stay connected to the design world while having the flexibility to be present at home. What began as some side work quickly turned into a steady stream of referrals. It was clear that interior designers needed support from someone who understood both design and technical documentation.

As more projects came in, I realized this wasn’t just a fluke. Designers were struggling to find reliable drafting partners who spoke their language and respected their creative process. So I leaned in, started building a small team, and focused on creating consistent systems and services that could scale.

Today, Drafted by Design works with designers across the country. We provide everything from detailed CAD sets to 3D renderings, custom block libraries, and educational tools. The business grew from a need I didn’t even realize existed at first, and now it’s become a space where design-minded drafters can thrive and help elevate the industry from behind the scenes.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Not exactly, but it’s been a rewarding ride. One of the biggest hurdles has been training and maintaining a high standard as the team has grown. Drafting isn’t just about getting the dimensions right. It’s about understanding the designer’s vision and turning it into clear, buildable plans. That kind of quality takes time to teach, and it requires ongoing support to keep everyone aligned.

We’ve also had to learn how to manage volume. At any given time, we might have over 75 active projects, each with its own deadlines, design style, and quirks. Layer in clients working in different time zones and it becomes a real exercise in communication and coordination.

The systems we’ve built didn’t happen overnight. There were growing pains. But each challenge helped us refine our workflow, build smarter processes, and get better at delivering high-level work without losing our balance.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We provide drafting and rendering services tailored specifically for interior designers. That includes everything from as-built plans and construction drawings to SketchUp models and polished 3D renderings. Our team works remotely with designers across the country, acting as an extension of their design process.

What sets us apart is our ability to blend technical skill with design fluency. We don’t just take notes and draw lines—we understand what designers are trying to say and help bring that vision to life in a way that’s both beautiful and buildable. That attention to detail, and our obsession with clean, clear documentation, is what clients come back for.

I’m especially proud of the systems we’ve built to manage a high volume of projects without sacrificing quality. I’m also proud of our block library, our growing CAD resource shop, and the work we’re doing to educate and support other designers and drafters in the industry.

At the end of the day, we’re known for being reliable, design-savvy, and fun to work with. And in a field that can feel cold and technical, that human touch really matters.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the kid always rearranging my bedroom just to see how different layouts felt. I was endlessly curious about how spaces worked. I loved tagging along to open houses and model homes, not just to look but to quietly shift things around and imagine better ways they could be set up. I took every art, design, and painting class I could find in high school, and there was always some creative project spread out across the table.

I didn’t know exactly what my job would be back then, but I knew it would involve design. I’ve always been drawn to the balance of creativity and structure, and that’s what design has always given me.

Pricing:

• $99/hour for all services

Contact Info:

• Website: https://draftedbydesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drafted.by.design/

Image Credits
Team photos by Devin Simms