The Profession - What is Interior Design?

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(from </B><A HREF="http://www.asid.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.asid.org"><U><B>www.asid.org</B></U></A><B>)</B></div> <bR> <div> Interior design is the total creative solution for a programmed interior. It encompasses the conceptual planning, aesthetic and technical solutions applied to achieve the desired result. A "programmed interior" means a specific intended purpose or use of the built environment.</div> <bR> <div> Interior design concerns itself with more than just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space, it seeks to optimize and harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be put. Thus, in the words of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is "practical, aesthetic and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style."</div> <bR> <div> Many factors come into play in formulating the design solution. There is the space itself--its dimensions and construction--with its potential and its limitations. There is how the space will be used--for work or leisure, entertainment or worship, healing or learning. There is the meaning of the space, what it signifies--be it power, authority, security, wisdom, achievement, playfulness or serenity. There are practical considerations, like ease of access, amount of light, acoustics, seating and places to store or set things down. There are health and safety considerations, attention to special needs and more.</div> <bR> <div> The elements of design range from the visual (color, lighting, form) to the tactile (surface, shape, texture) to the auditory (noise, echo). The designer must have an aesthetic, practical and technical appreciation for these elements. He or she must understand how people use and respond to these elements, not just individually but as the elements interact with one another. </div> <bR> <div> Designers must also be knowledgeable about the many types and characteristics of furnishings, accessories and ornaments used in creating interiors. Furniture, lighting, carpeting and floor covering, paint and wall covering, glass, wrought metal, fixtures, art and artifacts are just some of the many items and materials designers select from. In addition, they must be familiar with the various styles and history of styles of design, art and architecture.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is an Interior Designer?</B></div> <bR> <div> The definition from the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA Board) - "Interior design" by a certified interior designer means any service rendered wherein the principles and methodology of interior design are applied in connection with the identification, research, and creative solution of problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment. Such services relative to interior spaces shall include the preparation of documents for non-load bearing interior construction, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. </div> <bR> <div> <B>What Does an Interior Designer Do?</B></div> <bR> <div> An interior designer is a trained professional who creates functional and quality interior environments. Qualified through education, experience and examination, a professional interior designer can identify, research and creatively resolve issues to design a healthy, safe and comfortable physical environment. </div> <div> Interior designers provide various services including: </div> <div> Consultation services to help determine project goals and objectives </div> <div> Generation of ideas for the functional and aesthetic possibilities of the space </div> <div> Creation of illustrations and renderings </div> <div> Development of documents and specifications relative to the interior spaces in compliance with building and safety codes </div> <div> Allocation, arrangement and organization of a space to suit its function </div> <div> Monitor and manage construction and installation of interior elements </div> <div> Selection of furnishings, fixtures, lighting, materials and colors </div> <div> Purchasing of products designing and managing fabrication of custom details, furnishings and lighting</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Difference Between Interior Design and Decorating</B></div> <bR> <div> Interior designers are professionally trained by degreed education and experience. Some interior designers have also passed a national exam to qualify their experience and education (called the NCIDQ). Twenty states in the nation recognize interior design as a profession and have some sort of state title, certification or license act to regulate to practice of interior design. Virginia has a title act and a designer titled “Certified Interior Designer” (CID) has met the state requirements for education, examination and experience. </div> <bR> <div> Interior designers have comprehensive training and command skills that include and understanding of: fire codes for the materials and furnishings included in a final design space planning for public and private facilities national, state and local building codes, including the American Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards for disabled or elderly persons and other special needs groups ergonomics of working settings lighting quality and quantity acoustics and sound transmission application of interior finishes to benefit the health safety and welfare of the public (this is also incorporated into residential design)</div> <bR> <div> While 'decoration' is an element of an interior designer's work, these important elements are included and considered at all times during a project. A decorator works with the aesthetic element of a space and selects wallcoverings, paint, furnishings lighting and other materials to increase the beauty of the environment. Consideration of the above requirements of an interior designer may or may not be reflected in the scope of work. N.B. Because in the state of Virginia there is no regulation of the title of interior decorator or prohibition of the use of the title of interior designer, it is important that the client have knowledge of the differences. Asking for the background education, experience and examination is a good indication of the qualifications of the design professional. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>