Introduction

 

 

 

Interior designers plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

 

An interior and spatial designer is involved in the design or renovation of internal spaces, including structural alterations, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, lighting and colour schemes. Designs and feasibility studies are produced for commercial, leisure and domestic properties, and the designer oversees the project from beginning to end.

 

Interior and spatial designers work in a range of different commercial or domestic settings. The job combines the efficient and functional use of space with an understanding of aesthetics. Some designers, particularly in the domestic market, are concerned solely with the appearance, rather than the structure, of the interior.

 

 

Job Description

 

 

An interior desiger may adopt one of the following jobs:

 

• Interior Designer, 

• Interior Design Coordinator,

• Interior Design Consultant,

• Interior Design Director,

• Certified Kitchen Designer,

• Color and Materials Designer,

• Commercial Interior Designer,

• Decorating Consultant,

• Director of Interiors

 

 

Tasks may include:

• developing initial ideas and acquiring key information about potential projects, discussing requirements in detail with clients (the brief) and setting project schedules;

• understanding clients' needs and the needs of the people using the building, developing design concepts in consultation with the client and establishing final briefs;

• considering materials and costs according to set budgets and negotiating project fees;

• conducting feasibility studies for projects;

• researching and gathering information and photographs relating to the project;

• producing 'sample' or 'mood' boards for presentation to clients;

• sourcing products, e.g. fittings, furniture, lighting, finishes, decoration and dressing, and providing samples for clients;

• preparing detailed working drawings, designs, plans, models and schemes, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software;

• surveying buildings;

• working in a team with other designers;

• supervising work at the design stage and on site;

• working closely with quantity surveyors to establish costs and work schedules on larger projects, with architects and other design professionals to determine the best use of space, and with manufacturers and contractors;

• identifying new business and selling services to potential clients;

• keeping up to date with new developments in the design industry.

• Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, and purpose and function.

• Advise client on interior design factors such as space planning, layout and utilization of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.

• Review and detail shop drawings for construction plans.Estimate material requirements and costs, and present design to client for approval.

• Subcontract fabrication, installation, and arrangement of carpeting, fixtures, accessories, draperies, paint and wall coverings, art work, furniture, and related items.

• Formulate environmental plan to be practical, esthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity or selling merchandise.

• Select or design, and purchase furnishings, art works, and accessories.

• Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.

• Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.