Color and Healing: Turning Point Women’s Shelter

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/styles-and-techniques/SW-ART-STIR-WOMEN-SHELTER.html?WT.mc_id=OPT%20SW%20Stir%20September%2009%202014%20Area1

HGTV

I have mixed emotions about HGTV. While I like the shows that point out and resolve mistakes from previous contractors. It is the shows that portray unrealistic time frames and create trends that everyone wants that I tend to cringe.

Networks like HGTV can aid in design, but it has created a client that knows what they want. It gives them a base of knowledge that in years past would not have been achieved. It lends to the misinterpretation between an interior decorator and an interior designer. Most do not understand the difference and the shows on HGTV are not helping.

The important part of design is the process. While some may not find it entertaining, there is an amount that should be shown so that the viewer understands the amount of time, effort and money it actually takes. It would also define the difference between a decorator and a designer.

In browsing the internet about the different renovation shows I found that pretty much every one is created through production and editing. Filming of every outcome is done and then the network chooses based on which one would be better television. Not even the hosts really do what they portray on the show.

HGTV has responded to several comments and statements people have made about the shows being fake. That reactions of the clients and issues the houses have are made up for better TV. Reference the links below regarding comments and information regarding how the shows are produced.

 http://hookedonhouses.net/2012/06/15/hgtv-responds-to-the-house-hunters-scandal/

http://www.torontolife.com/informer/features/2013/08/22/the-real-world/4/

Liability. How far can it go?

In a Daily WebInsider from Architectural Record I came across and interesting article that relates the topics of my blog over the past couple of weeks (see link below). Even though this pertains to Architects at this moment one has to wonder if it will cross over to Interior Designers. How far can one's liability go? Is it fair or ethical to sue an Architect that has presented the correct window for the project but said specified window was changed by the developer, contractor or client. How can one be held liable if they presented a correct option that if installed or implemented there would not be an issue.

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2014/08/140820-Lawsuit-Suggests-New-Liability-for-Architects.asp

Ethics

Ethics impact majority of decisions you make, especially as a professional. As an interior designer one should abide by good practices standards to maintain a good relationship with clients, suppliers and other design professional. For example honesty is always the best policy. Not being honest is the first way to lose trust. In the design field word of mouth is the quickest way to make you or break you. If a client has a good experience, been treated fairly and in good ethics they are likely to refer you. Here is a link to a good article and list of “standards” to help maintain good working relationships.

 http://ezinearticles.com/?Professional-Ethics-For-Interior-Designers&id=3116685

The other part of ethics in design is regarding the type of project. Would you design an abortion clinic or a strip club? Where do these fall on your moral compass? In any event when these projects come about you really don’t have time to think, you have to make a decision quick. Whether you get a cold call from a potential client or are approached by your boss. As a designer you must prepare yourself to answer intelligently, honestly and professionally.  The article in the link below discusses another aspect of ethics in design but the way to go about making a decision can be used for any ethical dilemma.

http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/5729/title/ncidq-news-stretching-your-ethical-muscle.aspx

Interesting Links

Check out the links below that I have come across doing research for blog topics.

This link is to a good article on why Interior Design should be considered a specialty.

http://www.di.net/articles/interior-design-and-architecture/

This link I came across looking for curriculums/degrees that allow to you specialize in a specific type of interior design. I am glad that they explain what the difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer is.

http://www.cidinternational.org/

Specialize?

As we go through the required education to become a licensed interior designer, we are made aware of the types of interior design there are. Hospitality, Retail, Restaurant, Institutional and Office design to name a few. Usually by the time you graduate you start to have an idea of the area interior design you want to focus on. But can one get the education to actually specialize in a specific type of design?

Researching on the internet I found that there is not a specific degree that one can obtain that specializes in a type of interior design. Most curriculums in interior design introduce the 5 most common types of interiors noted above. This gives the student a brief glimpse into the many types and a balanced portfolio for the job hunt. To specialize you really have to research, gain knowledge and experience on your own. Hone your craft as they say. This may even mean working at an office or restaurant in the different positions to understand how the facility works as a whole.

For example, there is a classmate of mine that thought she wanted to be part of the restaurant industry. After working in the business for a couple of years, she realized that it wasn’t for her. Based on her love of art and design that interior design was what she wanted to do. She could combine the two if she wanted. The experience that she had in the restaurant industry gives her a better understanding of designing a restaurant because she knows how it functions. What works what doesn’t work. This can be attractive to future employers that specialize in this type of interior design.

The other important part of specializing is researching design firms. Not all firms are the same. Some may specialize while others may not. Also the size of the firm makes a difference. Typically in a larger firm you have to “earn your keep” as they say. Smaller firms allow you to get more involved in the design process when you first start out. But word of caution you don’t want a situation that is baptism by fire where you are thrown into the lion’s den on you first project. Looking at their work and networking with employees will help you understand what the firm is about. When looking to jump into the real world it’s all about doing your homework. 

Interior Designers are not a Component

Even though the interior designer is part of the overall design team, there can still be a level of inequality. The stigma of being inferior based on old school thought of Architecture as masculine and interior design as feminine. Reducing the level of importance of the interior designer. Part of the reason of this inferiority? Interior design being widely recognized as a component of Architecture and not the specialty that it has become. 

But times they are a changing. Over the years Architects have been the ones to design both the exterior and interior of the built environment. As development of cities and the built environment has changed over the years so has the complexity of the interior environment. Evolving into a specialized area of design that has directed Architects to hire consultants with expertise in the interior environment. Its not just a layout of spaces within a shell. The design of an interior involves factors such as safety & well-being of the user, ADA compliance,sustainable interior materials ergonomics & anthropometrics,  and design for multiple occupancy types within the same building. The Architect now relies on the interior designer for their knowledge and expertise of the interior environment the same way they rely on and electrical engineer for the electrical load and circuiting of a building. Because of this need the role of the interior designer is becoming an equal to the role of the Architect. 

To help put into perspective that interior design is a specialty area versus a component, as it always has been viewed, we can look at the education of those in the medical field . All doctors start out with the same basis of knowledge. Subsequently they choose a specialty field of study to eventually practice. But a neurosurgeon is not seen as inferior to say an anesthesiologist. They both have knowledge and expertise in their particular area of study or specialty. Likewise all design professions start out with the same basic design principles, art history and theory classes. From this point education tracks diverge per the area of specialty. Architecture, interior design or graphic design to name a few. Neither should be seen as inferior just a different specialty area of expertise.

Interior designers are an important part of the design process. They are one of many consultants an Architect uses to complete the overall project. The old stigma of just picking pillows, furniture and paint colors is dated. The new view is one of an equal not a component.