1. What is Interior Design?

After studying this module you will be able to:

 Describe what is meant by the terms “interior design” and “interior designer”
 Explain the tasks carried out by interior designers on a day to day basis
 Describe the main steps involved in overseeing an interior design project
 Give reasons for why interior design is a valuable discipline
 Know the qualities essential for a successful career as an interior designer
 Understand the training and qualification options for those looking to become an interior
designer
 Understand career prospects and average salary bands for interior designers

What is interior design?

At its most simple, interior design is about optimizing indoor spaces so that they serve a specific
purpose. The way in which a space is designed can make all the difference, when it comes to the
safety, comfort and general convenience of those making use of it.

Interior design can be employed on a grand scale – for example, in designing the interior of a
lavish new hotel – or on a more modest level, such as the partial renovation of a small terraced
house.

Interior design is sometimes associated with wealth, a perception that is based partly in truth –
those with lots of money can and do spend money employing people to make their dreams a
reality.

However, “normal” people and public organizations also employ interior designers, when
optimizing their homes and buildings.

What exactly do interior designers do on a day to day basis?

An interior designer typically works on a project-by-project basis, aiming to fulfil the brief
they receive from their client. Some designers work for a design company, where they often hold
a job that requires them to work regular office hours.
Along with desk work, a significant proportion of a designer’s time is spent on site. Site visits
are an essential element of this work, as it allows a designer the chance to become intimately
acquainted with the project space.

Many designers, especially those who have accumulated experience in the field and have built up
a portfolio of work, operate from home. They will meet with clients on site or in their home
office, when discussing the scope and intended project outcomes.

Wherever they work, designers often specialize in one or more types of project. For example,
they may work for a company that creates commercial spaces, or run their own business
specializing in decorating small urban homes.

A designer may charge on an hour-by-hour or project-by-project basis. They may request

that their client pays them once they reach particular milestones, such as drawing a floor plan or
presenting a color scheme.

Interior Design Process

THE BRIEF

At the beginning of a project, a client may have a very specific brief outlining what they want the
final space to do and how it should look, or they may be more flexible and willing to seek a
designer’s advice. A designer must ascertain why the client is looking to create a particular style
of interior, what purposes it is intending to serve, what the budget for the overall project will be
and the time frame in which it is to be completed. They must then advise the client as to whether
their stipulated requirements are realistic and draw on their experience and design knowledge, in
order to provide a feasible cost estimate and time scale. Depending on the complexity of the
project, the designer’s schedule and the extent to which other renovations or building works will
be taking place at the same time, a project may take anywhere from several days to several
months, or beyond.

PROPOSED DESIGN

The next step is for the designer to put together their proposed design – or vision. They will often
use a range of tools and techniques to do this, from mood boards and drawings, to high-end
interior design software. Some clients may find one format preferable to another and the designer
needs to present their concepts in a manner that the client understands. At this stage, the client
may make further suggestions as to how the design would better suit their preferences. It is the
designer’s task to produce an interior that leaves the client happy, but at the same time is in
keeping with professional design standards.

DESIGN BEGINS

It may take a couple of revisions and meetings, before a client is satisfied with the proposed
interior. Once they have been approved by both designer and client, the practical work can begin.
A client may use a designer’s vision when working with decorators and builders, or in the case of
a relatively simple renovation, replicate the design themselves. For example, if a designer has
recommended particular shades of paint, a specific floor layout and an idea for a unifying theme,
the client may decide that they are capable of putting it into action. Commercial projects and
those that require a designer or a team of designers to work with a large organization will need
extensive logistical planning.

The history of interior design

Ancient history of interior design
People have always been interested in decorating the spaces in which they live and work. As far
back as the Stone Age, people decorated their living spaces using drawings and patterns daubed
in natural pigments from plants.

The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all paid great attention to the appearance of their most
important buildings, with the Romans making a point of showing off their wealth with lavish
interiors. There have been periods in history – most notably, the Dark Ages – whereby people
paid less attention to interior decoration, but the general trend has been one of increasing
emphasis on interior design as a display of personality and lifestyle.

In most countries and cultures, architects have been responsible for choosing the décor of
interiors and the role of “interior designer” is a relatively recent development.

Modern History of Interior Design

Until the 1700s, elaborate interior design was the preserve of the rich, but as the 18th century wore on,
the middle classes had the chance to make use of mass-produced, affordable ornaments and textiles. By
the 1800s, the middle classes started to use materials and styles that would previously have been
considered too luxurious for those not in the upper echelons of society, such as wallpaper. There have
been numerous interior styles over time, including eclectic, classical and rustic - and some are still
popular inspirations today. Interior design as a distinct profession has been in existence for
approximately 100 years. The first officially recognised interior designer in the West is thought to be
Dorothy Draper, an American “Interior Decorator”. The first publication to use the expression “Interior
Designer” was Interior Design and Decoration magazine, which was first published in the 1930s.

2. Project Planning and Client Communication

After studying this module you will be able to:
 Explain why every interior design project begins with a set of preliminary diagrams and a
floor plan
 Know the essential questions a designer needs to ask a client when beginning the design
process
 Understand the basic principles of design that should be followed when planning a space
 Demonstrate the steps that are taken in putting together diagrams and then a floor plan
 Give an overview of the tools interior designers use to plan how a space is to be
structured and used, including computer-based tools
 Understand how designers communicate their vision to a client

Project Planning Skills

AIM

Why you need to develop project planning skills

Strong project planning is the core of every successful interior design practice. All successful
designers, whether working alone or as part of a team, need to understand the principles that
bridge an initial client consultation and the final outcome

CONTENT

In this module, you will learn how designers gather the information they need in order to make a
project run smoothly, how they communicate with clients, the key steps involved in
conceptualizing and implementing a design and the tools they use along the way.

The first steps to take when designing an interior

PLANNING

Painting surfaces, choosing furniture and other aesthetic elements may be the most exciting
aspect of designing a space, but space planning is absolutely fundamental to the success of any
project. It is the only way a client and designer can be certain that that space will be used to its
full potential. Whether a client is looking to design a single room in their house or overhaul a
large office, the planning process will ensure that the space meets the client’s intended purpose.
Interior design projects can be costly in terms of both time and money, so it is important that the
space meets the client’s brief from the outset.

Mistakes can be difficult to correct at a later date. Space itself is expensive – in general, the
larger the space inside a building, the more it will cost. Therefore, clients will want to get the
best value from the space they have available and expect a competent designer to use it in an
efficient manner.

IDEAL vs. FEASIBLE

Whilst some projects will entail designing a completely new space, most designers will spend the
majority of their time devising new ways of using existing spaces. They will need to work within
a client’s budget and within a reasonable timeline. This means that the “perfect” plan isn’t
always the most practical. There may need to be a compromise between what is theoretically
ideal and what is actually feasible for any given space.

Ask Potential Clients

What questions should an interior designer ask when putting together an initial set of diagrams?

INTRO

A designer first needs to understand how a space will be used and why a client requires their
services at this particular time. This is referred to as “programming”.

ACTIVITY

Activity: What would you ask a Potential Client?

Imagine that a potential client phones you and asks for an initial consultation. They tell you that
the project would entail redecorating the upstairs of their family home – three bedrooms and two
bathrooms. They live with their partner and two stepchildren. What questions would you ask
your potential client when visiting their home for the first time - and why?

They should ask the following questions:-

Who is using the space?
The needs and wants of the intended user group are central to the space planning process. To
draw on an obvious example, if a room is to be used for regular meetings, relatively more space
will be devoted to tables, chairs and other movable furniture, compared with a living room
designed for a family of four. If an interior is to be used by adults, the furnishings may be finer
and less resilient than those included in a child’s playroom.

Therefore, a designer needs to consider not only who is using the space, but what purposes the
space will actually serve.

For example, if it is to be a high-traffic environment, with many people coming and going, the
floors and carpets will need to be much tougher than in rooms that are only to be used on an
occasional basis, such as guest bedrooms.

Plumbing and Wiring

What plumbing and wiring systems are currently in place and is the client willing to have them
altered?

A designer needs to establish where plumbing systems and electrical outlets are positioned, in
order to devise a practical design. For example, if key plug sockets are located centrally on one
wall, it would be inadvisable to plan the space in such a way that the position of heavy furniture
makes accessing them impossible. On the other hand, a client may be willing to have them
repositioned. It is the responsibility of the designer to ascertain their intentions and flexibility.

Access Requirements
Are there any special access requirements?

If the space will be used by people who have special requirements, a designer must take their
needs into account when planning a space. Perhaps the most obvious example relates to
wheelchairs. A designer will need to consider whether their proposed layout can accommodate
people using wheelchairs, crutches, or other mobility aids. There is little point in allocating space
for furniture, if the layout would prevent regular users of the space from moving around
comfortably.

Fact: There are approximately 1.2 million wheelchair users in the UK.
Feel
What kind of “feel” does the client want to create within the space? Most clients will have some
idea of the mood or tone they want the space to invoke. For example, some might like the idea of
a bright, airy room that feels large and spacious. This would warrant a space that features a few
simple pieces of furniture that offer maximum utility. On the other hand, a client might specify
that they are looking to create a cozy room that feels enclosed. This would give a designer more
leeway to incorporate more pieces of furniture.

Furniture
What kind of furniture must be included, and why?

Once the purpose of a space has been established, a designer must work with a client to
determine what kind of furniture and fittings are essential. For example, a kitchen will require
counters, a bathroom must contain a shower or bath and a dining room must have a table that is
large enough for everyone to eat at the same time.

Other living spaces, such as lounges or hallways, are often more flexible, but similar
considerations must be taken into account – for example, if a client enjoys watching films and
wants to make their large-screen TV a focal point, a designer will need to either ensure that there
is enough space for a TV and stand, or that one wall is a suitable place on which to hang a screen

Complimentary Spaces
If the designer has been asked to design a number of spaces in close proximity to one another,
how can they make sure that the spaces complement one another?

Although a designer might be asked to design or renovate a single room or space within a
building, many clients will ask a designer to work on multiple spaces within a single project. For
example, they may request that an open-plan office and a meeting room be coordinated using a
similar color scheme and that they have the same ambience. In order to fulfil the project brief, a
designer would have to choose two layouts that serve different purposes, yet still feel sufficiently
similar that walking from one space to the other does not feel jarring.

Budget
What is the proposed budget for this project?
A client may have a specific figure in mind, but they may not have a reasonable idea as to the
realistic cost of the project. A designer needs to use their experience and knowledge to shape the
client’s expectations. Having a ballpark figure from the outset allows everyone involved to make
sensible decisions on everything from material costs to contractors’ fees.

Fact: The average London resident spends around £6,000 on home decoration and maintenance
per year.

Gathering Additional Information

A designer will use a range of methods to gather the information they need at the start of a
project.

After an initial client interview to ascertain the overall scope of the project, they will then
undertake a site visit. If the site is already in use, they will interview those living or working
there, asking what changes they would like to implement during the project.

They may research existing spaces that are similar to what the client has in mind, in order to gain
ideas and insight into potential challenges that might arise over the course of the project.

Finally, a client may not have considered how they intend to use a space in the future, so a
designer should ask whether their business plans or lifestyle options will change over the coming
months and years. For example, a couple who intend to start a family within the next two years
would be well advised to create a child-friendly space, whereas a retired couple will probably not
need to take this into consideration.

A business owner may have only three employees at the time of commissioning a project, but
hope to double the workforce in the foreseeable future. These circumstances mean that a
designer must be creative in thinking about furniture and unit placement, what kind of materials
to use and so on.