In the working world I have learned two very important features of Autocad that you never learn about in school. Xrefs and etransmitting.
Xrefs are amazing if used correctly, but why don't they even mention them in school? When I started working at my first office job in an architecture firm they looked at me like I had two heads and no skin when I said that I didn't know what an Xref was.
I know the schools teach a lot of information in a very short time, but you'd think they would be sure to include in the curriculum something that is commonly used in the working world, and is relatively easy to use, and would be great to incorporate into school projects.
etranmitting is the same way. An AutoCad command that attaches all xref's, plot styles, and other miscellaneous parts of a drawing before you email it off or send it somewhere? I've read it's even great for moving files around your computer. To ensure you aren't losing any important info!
I know school's have a lot on their plate with all of the technological advances that are always coming out, but it seems silly to not teach some of the most commonly used, and time saving features of the programs out there. It would help all of the students a lot upon graduation and transition into the real world.
There are about a million good books and Internet sites out there with information pertaining to Xrefs and etransmitting where you can find good information. Two that I've found really helpful are the AutoCad website, especially the forum, and a book called "AutoCad workbook for Advanced AutoCad 2009" by Cheryl Shrock
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Research in interior design--what is it really?
As a practicing interior designer in graduate school I have recently stumbled upon the concept that research, as we have been taught for years, is not all that it might be cracked up to be.
We are taught in early schooling that research is merely looking up information in a book to get the facts you need to write a paper, or do another assignment. For some reason they do not bother to tell you that what you think is research is really just fact finding. True research is expanding the body of knowledge that exists. It is finding new information to be added to the astronomical pile of knowledge we as humans have discovered.
I swear this does apply to interior design...
Here's how:
We as designers are taught in a method that further reinforces fact finding to be considered as research. Until grad school I knew of no difference between the two. Now I am realizing that there is a distinct difference. Part of what influenced this blog is a great book called "Informing Design." It explicitly explains the differences between these two activities and how it applies to interior design.
Fact finding in interiors is fully necessary for any project. It includes programming with client interviews and space analysis. It also includes looking at products best suited for your design, finding in, and past designs which might be similar and successful. But research is something we are not always taught in school.
Research in interiors is the same as in any other field. It includes many things such as testing hypotheses, or analyzing past research. Emphasizing true research in this field is what might finally bring it up to being seen at the same level as any other reputable field instead of being seen as a "pretty career" or something else frivolous.
We as designers need to take on the responsibility of using true research from sites such as GoogleScholar and InformeDesign to make evidence-based design. Utilizing research that has been proven through testing is a much better way to design your project than just picking what YOU like. We are not in this field to just pick the colors we personally are most attracted to. We are in this business to do what is best for our client. By using research to design we can achieve the best outcomes for life safety, environmental psychology, quality design, and sustainability. In this aspect we are no different from others such as doctors who use research and testing to pick the best diagnosis and treatment for their patients. We should use this same mentality to pick the best design solution.
This is all not to say that we should make ugly designs. That is also part of our responsibility, and part of some of the many things that have been researched. Aesthetics should also be vitally important to any project, especially when combined with proven design information.
We as designers need to be as responsible in our approach to creating the spaces people live, work, and play in as any other field. we need to get over this "pretty" HGTV reputation we have and show what we are really out there doing.
We are taught in early schooling that research is merely looking up information in a book to get the facts you need to write a paper, or do another assignment. For some reason they do not bother to tell you that what you think is research is really just fact finding. True research is expanding the body of knowledge that exists. It is finding new information to be added to the astronomical pile of knowledge we as humans have discovered.
I swear this does apply to interior design...
Here's how:
We as designers are taught in a method that further reinforces fact finding to be considered as research. Until grad school I knew of no difference between the two. Now I am realizing that there is a distinct difference. Part of what influenced this blog is a great book called "Informing Design." It explicitly explains the differences between these two activities and how it applies to interior design.
Fact finding in interiors is fully necessary for any project. It includes programming with client interviews and space analysis. It also includes looking at products best suited for your design, finding in, and past designs which might be similar and successful. But research is something we are not always taught in school.
Research in interiors is the same as in any other field. It includes many things such as testing hypotheses, or analyzing past research. Emphasizing true research in this field is what might finally bring it up to being seen at the same level as any other reputable field instead of being seen as a "pretty career" or something else frivolous.
We as designers need to take on the responsibility of using true research from sites such as GoogleScholar and InformeDesign to make evidence-based design. Utilizing research that has been proven through testing is a much better way to design your project than just picking what YOU like. We are not in this field to just pick the colors we personally are most attracted to. We are in this business to do what is best for our client. By using research to design we can achieve the best outcomes for life safety, environmental psychology, quality design, and sustainability. In this aspect we are no different from others such as doctors who use research and testing to pick the best diagnosis and treatment for their patients. We should use this same mentality to pick the best design solution.
This is all not to say that we should make ugly designs. That is also part of our responsibility, and part of some of the many things that have been researched. Aesthetics should also be vitally important to any project, especially when combined with proven design information.
We as designers need to be as responsible in our approach to creating the spaces people live, work, and play in as any other field. we need to get over this "pretty" HGTV reputation we have and show what we are really out there doing.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The path to success...all the things they won't tell you
I know things get hectic when you're trying to figure out what the heck you want to do with your life, so I just wanted to give a quick overview for any of those out there looking to interior design as their potential path.
First, In high school you want to make sure you take drafting classes. AutoCAD is a HUGE part of your daily life as a designer. If you can't take these classes for whatever reason, you will still be alright, but it would give you a huge leg up if you can. Also, anything to do with construction would also be beneficial. Just remember that you can design all the pretty things you want, but if you can't figure out how they will go together, or how they will be mounted in a room they are useless.
Next, when looking for a college, make sure you choose a CIDA accredited program (I've listed the website at the bottom of this page). CIDA is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. They are in charge of making sure that all accredited schools are held to certain standards that insure students training to become designers will have the skill set necessary to be successful in the field. Companies that are looking to employ designers will look at the college you graduated from to see if it was an accredited program.
When you do finally graduate after all the hours of lost sleep and those spent in studio, you will want to get licenced as an interior designer in your state. To get licenced you need to first, and again, graduate from an accredited interior design program, and then get 2 years of experience. Once you have 2 years of experience you can apply to sit for the NCIDQ examination. This 2 day exam tests your proficiency in a very, very broad range of topics in interior design. Once you pass, you can apply in your state to be licenced. There are more paths that this one to be qualified to sit for your NCIDQ, and they are all on the website listed below. All of them require work experience and schooling.
Disclaimer: All of this information is stuff that I have picked up over the years while going through school and working in the field. I felt that it was hard to sift through all of the information out there, and that it was hard to find people who could give me the info I needed. So this is what I feel is important to know on a basic level about getting into interior design.
Also, if you are looking to be a decorator, none of this is necessary. You can be a decorator without going to school. However, you CANNOT legally call yourself an interior designer without a degree from an accredited school. If you are looking to just work as a designer at a furniture store, or kitchen store doing furniture layouts, a lot of this is also unnecessary. You will want a degree, but it doesn't have to be accredited. You could even just get a 2 year degree.
Websites:
CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.accredit-id.org/
IDEC (interior Design Educators Council) http://www.idec.org/
NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.ncidq.org/
First, In high school you want to make sure you take drafting classes. AutoCAD is a HUGE part of your daily life as a designer. If you can't take these classes for whatever reason, you will still be alright, but it would give you a huge leg up if you can. Also, anything to do with construction would also be beneficial. Just remember that you can design all the pretty things you want, but if you can't figure out how they will go together, or how they will be mounted in a room they are useless.
Next, when looking for a college, make sure you choose a CIDA accredited program (I've listed the website at the bottom of this page). CIDA is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. They are in charge of making sure that all accredited schools are held to certain standards that insure students training to become designers will have the skill set necessary to be successful in the field. Companies that are looking to employ designers will look at the college you graduated from to see if it was an accredited program.
When you do finally graduate after all the hours of lost sleep and those spent in studio, you will want to get licenced as an interior designer in your state. To get licenced you need to first, and again, graduate from an accredited interior design program, and then get 2 years of experience. Once you have 2 years of experience you can apply to sit for the NCIDQ examination. This 2 day exam tests your proficiency in a very, very broad range of topics in interior design. Once you pass, you can apply in your state to be licenced. There are more paths that this one to be qualified to sit for your NCIDQ, and they are all on the website listed below. All of them require work experience and schooling.
Disclaimer: All of this information is stuff that I have picked up over the years while going through school and working in the field. I felt that it was hard to sift through all of the information out there, and that it was hard to find people who could give me the info I needed. So this is what I feel is important to know on a basic level about getting into interior design.
Also, if you are looking to be a decorator, none of this is necessary. You can be a decorator without going to school. However, you CANNOT legally call yourself an interior designer without a degree from an accredited school. If you are looking to just work as a designer at a furniture store, or kitchen store doing furniture layouts, a lot of this is also unnecessary. You will want a degree, but it doesn't have to be accredited. You could even just get a 2 year degree.
Websites:
CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.accredit-id.org/
IDEC (interior Design Educators Council) http://www.idec.org/
NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.ncidq.org/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Architectural Mecca
In today's great age of technology and design one city in the world seems to be consistently "taking the cake" in terms of adventurous and interesting design. Dubai. I envy people who live and get to visit this mecca for architectural wonders. I mean c'mon, this place is like Disneyland with extra Mickey Mouse for anyone who can appreciate creative design.
'0-14 tower' was designed by resier and umemoto and rur architecture pc along with Dubai developer, shahab lutfi. the building was designed for dubai's business bay and features 22 floors covered in a double skin facade that's outermost skin is constructed from 40c, thick perforated concrete. the one meter space between the skins creates a chimney effect, cooling the building. How sweet is this? It looks like lace or Swiss cheese as a building. It even utilizes natural cooling techniques.
I guess my whole point of this particular rant is to ask why we can't do anything this interesting and innovative in the States? Is it because we are so worried about the bottom line we cannot see how positively something other than an air conditioned box can serve as a building? Everywhere you look, giant, square, air conditioned boxes. How lovely....
I guess I'm just jealous that I have to go halfway around the world to see really interesting architecture and design like the DaVinci Rotating towers, the Dancing Towers, or the Dubai Towers.
We have the know-how and engineering capabilities here to construct buildings that would add interest, beauty, tourism, and green design into our lives. Are we just to lazy and worried about the short-term bottom line that we cannot see our future in square, boring, rat cages? Maybe it is because we lost our spirit of competition? Maybe it's just the lack of oil money? But I think we as Americans, and others across the world, should look to these magnificent structures as a challenge to better ourselves, and our ideas of what buildings should be.
Friday, May 8, 2009
$9 million for some lines huh?
So someone paid $9 million for this...
I am quite a proponent for ,and lover of fine art, and I do like this piece, but what else could some rich guy do with $9 mil. I mean you could still pay the artist $1 million and have $8 left over for charity, the hurting economy, anything! It just seems like such a waste...
Hey, at just over $1 million per line I guess it was a steal!
Xerascape your life!
So this isn't so much an "interior" as it is an "exterior" blog, but it's an important design topic none the less.
Xerascaping refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation. It is promoted in areas that do not have easily accessible supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as climate patterns shift. Utilizing plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate isemphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.
The photo at the left is an example of a beautiful xerascaped area in California.
While this is a term that was coined in Colorado, and is more popular in the Western part of the US, it is something we can all do to up our ability to be more resourceful. It is also benificial to companies who choose to landscape in this manner since they will be spending less money on upkeep and watering of plants that will thrive in their natural landscape.Xerascaping might lower the number of plants you can select from, but it is still a beautiful choice in landscape design. Who really needs a palm tree growing in the midwest anyway?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Evidence-Based Design
As I've written before, Interior Design often gets confused with Interior Decorating. As a student pursuing a Master's Degree in Interior Design, I often get asked what exactly there is to study at a Master's level in ID. To a lot of people's shock I also explain that you can pursue a degree all the way up to a PhD in Interior Design just like any other reputable degree. People seem completely confused and ask what kind of "color matching" or "fabric selection" they could possibly teach at a PhD level. While I also had thoughts along the same path upon entering into the study of ID, I soon realized that there a million things to study at a higher level in this discipline.
Through a good education and much research I have come to realize that ID is a major contributor to the health, safety, and well being of people. At least when done correctly. Every day people enter into built spaces to live, work, and play. These spaces can be wonderful, beautiful, well-functioning, and have the occupants best interest in mind. Or they can be ugly, hard to use, fire hazards waiting to happen. It all depends on how it was laid out. Interior Design is not just picking out pretty colors. It is studying building codes, human behavior, keeping up with new health and environmentally conscious products, ergonomics, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a ton of other information to produce the best, most user friendly designs possible. if an Interior designer is not doing all of this they are, in my opinion, a bad designer. Not just bad, but irresponsible.
That brings the conversation to a concept that all Interior Design projects should utilize. Evidence-based design is defined by healthdesign.org as "the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes." While this concept is mainly taking root in health care design, I feel that all aspects of ID should follow this principle idea. We expect doctors and pharmacists to keep up on the latest research so that they may best treat us. Why should we not expect the same of our ID professionals? ID has such a large influence on people every day it should not even be a question. We should be basing our designs on research and evidence, not whims and our personal preferences.
There is a ton of research out there if designers will just go and look for it. Not that research should ever completely take away from the creative aspect. All projects should have their own feel and beauty to them, they should just be based on what is proven to be best for the end user. Sites like informedesign.com is a great resource for design-based research. Many other scholarly journals can be used to establish a good basis for your design that will benefit everyone that might use it.
As a Master's student in ID, it is my responsibility to add to the growing amount of design information there is out there already. I have learned how important it is to have research to utilize in the design process. Research in ID should no longer be just about programming and information gathering, it should also include research that is published in scholarly journals that has been reviewed by our peers. A great book on this subject is called "Informing Design" by Joan I. Dickinson and John P. Marsden.
Evidence-Based design seems to make common sense to me as a designer. I can't understand why there seems to be a backlash against it in the ID community. We as designers are here to do what is best for our client, and the end user. Why not use all of the resources at our disposal to do the best job that we can?
Monday, April 27, 2009
At the cost of how many livers?
Thanks to the following sites for my information:
This is probably one of the most interesting things I've seen in a while. According to various stories, Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew, also known as Wat Lan Kuad or 'the Temple of a Million Bottles', is in Sisaket province near the Cambodian border, 400 miles from the capital Bangkok. It is a temple built by Buddhist monks made entirely of recycled beer bottles. 
These monks really make old stinky beer bottles look good! They began collecting them in 1984, and got so many that they decided to use them as a building material. There is a concrete core for stability, but the monks say the beer bottles work out well. They don't fade in color and provide good lighting. They use mostly green and brown bottles in their designs from various companies.
They have a complex of about 20 buildings and plan on adding more as they get more "building material" donated to them.
It looks like a good excuse to have a lot of crazy parties to me! Charity parties..."Come one, come all, drink as much as you can! Empty beer bottle proceeds go to aiding monks by adding to their building material collection!"
Get your attention ready...
Just thought I'd make a quick entry to get all of our blood pumping on a Monday morning with some new cool products out there.
How cool is this bench? It gets even better when you find out it is constructed solely of pineapple tree leaves and steel rods. It's also dyed with vegetable dye to be even more earth friendly! Don't ask me how they do it, all I know is that the outcome is sweet! Smart solution for funky fun colorful seating that is eco-friendly. for more info: http://www.interiordesign.net/newproductdetail/2140344773.html
Sometimes even I am shocked by what designers in all disciplines come up with....Holy crap! is all I can say about this next innovation in design. Really, I have nothing else. Nothing can really describe it. The Philips Design Bubelle is apparently clothing you can program to suit your mood. Essentially it is a concept where body responsive textiles and lighting are integrated into one piece. While the premise is really interesting, I personally think this poor lady looks like a giant light up butterfly. Or worse yet, like she got stuck in the middle of something straight out of a bad Sci-Fi movie and is now trapped in a mass of light up goo up to her nostrils. Not quite the look I'm going for...day or night.... For more info: http://www.design.philips.com/om/
Last for today, I LOVE this company. Seriously, mad passionate affair, like a fat kid loves cake....While I am completely enamoured, and now need some private time just from looking at the beautiful mosaics, I share them with you. The Sicis art mosaic tile company is one of my favorite all time companies. Their tile is all full of supreme detail and interesting concepts. They have everything covered, and all in tile. From pin up girls, to comic books, to naked figures, to beautiful floral patterns, I can't pick just one! I can however tell you it is worth it to
How cool is this bench? It gets even better when you find out it is constructed solely of pineapple tree leaves and steel rods. It's also dyed with vegetable dye to be even more earth friendly! Don't ask me how they do it, all I know is that the outcome is sweet! Smart solution for funky fun colorful seating that is eco-friendly. for more info: http://www.interiordesign.net/newproductdetail/2140344773.html 
Sometimes even I am shocked by what designers in all disciplines come up with....Holy crap! is all I can say about this next innovation in design. Really, I have nothing else. Nothing can really describe it. The Philips Design Bubelle is apparently clothing you can program to suit your mood. Essentially it is a concept where body responsive textiles and lighting are integrated into one piece. While the premise is really interesting, I personally think this poor lady looks like a giant light up butterfly. Or worse yet, like she got stuck in the middle of something straight out of a bad Sci-Fi movie and is now trapped in a mass of light up goo up to her nostrils. Not quite the look I'm going for...day or night.... For more info: http://www.design.philips.com/om/
Last for today, I LOVE this company. Seriously, mad passionate affair, like a fat kid loves cake....While I am completely enamoured, and now need some private time just from looking at the beautiful mosaics, I share them with you. The Sicis art mosaic tile company is one of my favorite all time companies. Their tile is all full of supreme detail and interesting concepts. They have everything covered, and all in tile. From pin up girls, to comic books, to naked figures, to beautiful floral patterns, I can't pick just one! I can however tell you it is worth it to 
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Interior Designer...the definition
Just to give you an idea of what I am before I get deep into this blog. I am a student pursuing my Master's Degree in Interior Design. I would like to continue my education by next going after my Doctorate in Marketing or Sociology. To the confusion of most people, they do offer a Doctorate in Interior Design, and yes they teach many other things to us in school than picking out pretty colors and furniture. I could go after my Doctorate in Interior Design, but I would like to branch out a bit instead.
My research focus for my thesis will be on the topic of gender and color perception in retail spaces and how it affects impulse purchase decisions. I love people watching and worked in retail for way too long. This has highly influenced my decision on what to pursue researching in the huge world of interiors. I am truly fascinated by people and what makes then react, think, and feel the way they do. How interior spaces influence people at work, shopping, learning, or in a medical facility fascinates me.
To clear something very important to me up at the beginning of this, Interior Design and Interior Decorating are often confused with one another. They are NOT the same profession. Due to this common misconception of what interior design really is I would like my first blog post to define Interior Design for you:
According to the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) website at http://www.ncidq.org/who/definition.htm, Interior Design is:
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.
Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, to protect and enhance the life, health, safety and welfare of the public. These services may include any or all of the following tasks:
Research and analysis of the client's goals and requirements; and development of documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs;
Formulation of preliminary space plans and two and three dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client's program needs and are based on knowledge of the principles of interior design and theories of human behavior;
Confirmation that preliminary space plans and design concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, and meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental, and sustainability guidelines;
Selection of colors, materials and finishes to appropriately convey the design concept, and to meet socio-psychological , functional, maintenance, life-cycle performance, environmental, and safety requirements;
Selection and specification of furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description; and provision of contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture;
Provision of project management services, including preparation of project budgets and schedules;
Preparation of construction documents, consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications, to illustrate non-structural and/or non-seismic partition layouts; power and communications locations; reflected ceiling plans and lighting designs; materials and finishes; and furniture layouts;
Preparation of construction documents to adhere to regional building and fire codes, municipal codes, and any other jurisdictional statutes, regulations and guidelines applicable to the interior space;
Coordination and collaboration with other allied design professionals who may be retained to provide consulting services, including but not limited to architects; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and various specialty consultants;
Confirmation that construction documents for non-structural and/or non-seismic construction are signed and sealed by the responsible interior designer, as applicable to jurisdictional requirements for filing with code enforcement officials;
Administration of contract documents, bids and negotiations as the client's agent;
Observation and reporting on the implementation of projects while in progress and upon completion, as a representative of and on behalf of the client; and conducting post-occupancy evaluation reports.
Don't get me wrong, Interior Decorators are also talented professionals who have an eye for color and a knack for arranging items in a room that makes people happy and makes all of our lives more pleasant. I just wanted to clear up the misconception of Interior Design before everyone thinks that this will be an HGTV type of blog.
I love Interior Design and am a HUGE backer of true evidence-based design using research in correlation with, instead of just, a designers preference to design the best spaces for people's health, happiness, and safety. I agree with the fact that Interior Designers should be NCIDQ certified, licenced professionals that are required to attend a CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) school. We as designers have a huge responsibility to the public to design wonderful, beautiful, safe space for them.
My research focus for my thesis will be on the topic of gender and color perception in retail spaces and how it affects impulse purchase decisions. I love people watching and worked in retail for way too long. This has highly influenced my decision on what to pursue researching in the huge world of interiors. I am truly fascinated by people and what makes then react, think, and feel the way they do. How interior spaces influence people at work, shopping, learning, or in a medical facility fascinates me.
To clear something very important to me up at the beginning of this, Interior Design and Interior Decorating are often confused with one another. They are NOT the same profession. Due to this common misconception of what interior design really is I would like my first blog post to define Interior Design for you:
According to the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) website at http://www.ncidq.org/who/definition.htm, Interior Design is:
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.
Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, to protect and enhance the life, health, safety and welfare of the public. These services may include any or all of the following tasks:
Research and analysis of the client's goals and requirements; and development of documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs;
Formulation of preliminary space plans and two and three dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client's program needs and are based on knowledge of the principles of interior design and theories of human behavior;
Confirmation that preliminary space plans and design concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, and meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental, and sustainability guidelines;
Selection of colors, materials and finishes to appropriately convey the design concept, and to meet socio-psychological , functional, maintenance, life-cycle performance, environmental, and safety requirements;
Selection and specification of furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description; and provision of contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture;
Provision of project management services, including preparation of project budgets and schedules;
Preparation of construction documents, consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications, to illustrate non-structural and/or non-seismic partition layouts; power and communications locations; reflected ceiling plans and lighting designs; materials and finishes; and furniture layouts;
Preparation of construction documents to adhere to regional building and fire codes, municipal codes, and any other jurisdictional statutes, regulations and guidelines applicable to the interior space;
Coordination and collaboration with other allied design professionals who may be retained to provide consulting services, including but not limited to architects; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and various specialty consultants;
Confirmation that construction documents for non-structural and/or non-seismic construction are signed and sealed by the responsible interior designer, as applicable to jurisdictional requirements for filing with code enforcement officials;
Administration of contract documents, bids and negotiations as the client's agent;
Observation and reporting on the implementation of projects while in progress and upon completion, as a representative of and on behalf of the client; and conducting post-occupancy evaluation reports.
Don't get me wrong, Interior Decorators are also talented professionals who have an eye for color and a knack for arranging items in a room that makes people happy and makes all of our lives more pleasant. I just wanted to clear up the misconception of Interior Design before everyone thinks that this will be an HGTV type of blog.
I love Interior Design and am a HUGE backer of true evidence-based design using research in correlation with, instead of just, a designers preference to design the best spaces for people's health, happiness, and safety. I agree with the fact that Interior Designers should be NCIDQ certified, licenced professionals that are required to attend a CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) school. We as designers have a huge responsibility to the public to design wonderful, beautiful, safe space for them.
I hope to use this blog to discuss design trends, recently completed and historical designs, research, and anything else relevant to the constantly changing and improving world of Interior Design.
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