The Future of Interior Design

No. 9 Interior Design: Professional Hopes and Dreams

“Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.”  http://www.ncidq.org/AboutUs/AboutInteriorDesign/DefinitionofInteriorDesign.aspx 

I carry many job titles. As interior designers we are a professionals, many are business owners and operators, we are problem solvers, therapists, sales people, experts in many products and systems - our clients assume we know about everything from technology and innovation to technical details and codes – and many times we do – it pays us to know these things, we are market and trend watchers, we are artists, artisans, craftsmen, we are idea smiths, creative, innovative, we are driven by functional creativity, we are coordinators, we focus on the human scale – humanizing defined space – making it ergonomic and user friendly, we are marketers and publicity hounds,  we are sensitive to our clients needs and wants, we are relationship developers – we become a apart of our clients lives and businesses, we are interpreters, we are educated and continue to further our education, we are teachers and informants, we are detectives and even on occasion mind readers, we are visionary.  To the contrary as a profession, we are underpaid (after all we probably should - but we don’t - bill like lawyers), under recognized (architects are remembered for their structures – sometimes we are acknowledged for our contributions in a project too – but I challenge you to name the interior designer or firm on a particular remarkable project – when it comes to design we usually just remember the remarkable project), we are over worked with expectations to time ration (we work magic but it takes time – TV has deceived us with design projects finishing in under an hour with commercials – unlimited resources and budgets).  

I work in a perplexing industry.  Somewhat regulated, but not really understood by the public or politicians as to why we have titles like CID (certified interior designer), we suffer continued ego battles between similar professions – some, but not all, architects and contractors call us names like inferior desecrators, roll their eyes during meetings, put up a fight during the whole process, ignore or discount our input – they rarely get what we really do, certainly many don’t see the value of our profession or how much we benefit a project, they see trouble (we can own some of those stereotypical judgments – we have our own ego/ diva moments too, and unfortunately often times one bad experience taints the rest) – but those who fought the most always enjoy the credit for a well finished space (although they were certainly a part and also deserve due credit, their work was not alone and is greatly enhanced by our professional capabilities making it more human, comfortable and esthetically pleasing as a result)

Education is important.  Interior designers are educated and continue to learn about our ever evolving industry resources.  We also educate our clients, we are their resources, and act as a primary tool to represent our profession to the public. We must represent well and promote our industry.  We must show case our abilities, achievements and qualifications and help the public discern the differences in professionalism.

There are many talented decorators who have a knack, an eye, and even carefully developed specialized skills, some perhaps could argue they are even more talented than someone with a degree; however, there is a right of passage and professional accolades that mark an interior designer who has passed (even suffered) through course work and development. (I encourage these skilled individuals to enhance their natural talent with additional training and a degree to solidify their abilities – there are many local two year and part time associate degree programs). There is a foundation of skills from drafting, space planning, computer systems, codes, history, and textile fibers to working as a team, critiques, and developing professional ties that one cannot gain with out proper training.  I will acknowledge that in business there is room enough for all, however as a profession we need to determine what sets us a part and while not tearing down another’s business promote what makes us great as a professional – and distinctions in the industry.    

“Differences between Interior Design and Decorating: Many people use the terms "interior design" and "interior decorating" interchangeably, but these professions differ in critical ways. Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.  Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.  The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology—including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process—to satisfy the needs and resources of the client.  Many U.S. states and Canadian provinces have passed laws requiring interior designers to be licensed or registered—documenting their formal education and training—and many of them specifically require that all practicing interior designers earn the NCIDQ Certificate to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. By contrast, interior decorators require no formal training or licensure.”   http://www.ncidq.org/AboutUs/AboutInteriorDesign/DifferencesBetweenInteriorDesignDecorating.aspx 

My own hopes and dreams for my future in this industry is to continue the educational track, I have enjoyed teaching, advising and mentoring future interior designers.  I bring real experience and opportunities to the class room.  I was well taught and have used my own education to benefit my clients and community, I hope to inspire many future interior design professionals. 

How do we want to be known in the future? Our industry must decree professionalism.  We must take an active role and make it known that our expertise is a necessary part of any project.  We rely on our professional organizations to help promote this image, ultimately no project, commercial or residential, should allow for the interior environment to be considered as an after thought.  Our professional involvement in a project early on will make for much better final results, fewer construction change orders or project redo’s happen when the right decisions are made prior to construction or during the process, budgeting is more thorough and the details that are often not allotted for which really make a project shine are part of the whole package.  As president of the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers I developed an ad (shown at right) which ran in the 2010 BSO Show house book and the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 Maryland Home and Garden Show, showcasing what sets an ASID designer apart from the rest.