Feel-good design is what Janet Simpson is all about. And that’s not trite. It’s the truth. Only the third president ever of TVS in its 58-year history and the first woman to lead the Atlanta-based architecture and interior design firm, Janet has always had a mission to “design a better human experience.” Or, as she puts it more simply, to “create environments that make people feel good.”

After spending 20 years in workplace design and corporate interiors before becoming CEO in 2017, Janet made it a priority to empower more voices and encourage new ideas around servant leadership, emerging talent, and company culture. But it’s not quite accurate to say she simply took over the reins at TVS. At the firm’s 50th anniversary mark, she launched what she calls a “refounding,” which led to a decade-long reinvention that helped transform the practice into a thriving global design firm fit for the 21st century.

Through it all, Janet’s focus has remained firmly on people. “When I talk about our various projects, it’s really about the broader impact they have on the community,” she says. “Whether we’re working on convention centers, mixed-use developments, sports facilities, healthcare, K-12 and higher education, offices, or hospitality projects, our approach varies by market but shares a common goal: to benefit people through the built environment.”

Here, Janet talks about lessons learned, risks taken, and why the best design has the power to stop you in your tracks.

What's an unexpected lesson design has taught you about life?

It’s taught me to pay attention to direction, not destination. Every choice sends you somewhere, and knowing where it's pointing is what makes the work intentional and meaningful.

What does "good design" mean to you?

Great design and great landscapes have the same effect: They stop you. They make you feel calm, curious, joyful, and inspired. You don't know exactly why; you just know you want to stay.

What's the boldest risk you've ever taken in a project?

An indoor swing. It took a lot of convincing and a lot of safety features, but watching people's faces light up with pure joy at the opening party made it worth it.

What's an interior space you didn't design but wish you could claim as your own?

The lobby at Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park. It brings the spirit of exploration indoors: wonder, nature, and a sense of play that enhances everything happening outside. That's a hard thing to do.

What's on your nightstand right now?

Kiehl's Lip Butter Mask. It has been a constant on my nightstand for years and travels with me everywhere. Non-negotiable.