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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