Becoming an Interior Designer


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Specialties	Most of people think of interior design specialties in terms of two large categories: residential and commercial. Residential interior design focuses on private living places such as freestanding single-family dwellings, condominiums, and apartments. This area of interior design most likely comes to mind since it gets so much attention from the media. Commercial interior design addresses a large range of business and government-owned facilities such as hospitals, hotels, schools, government office buildings, and corporate offices. Contemporary Living Room by Kenneth Brown Residential Design When specializing in residential interior design, the professional may work on projects involving the entire house, perhaps from the initial planning stage, in conjunction with the architect or custom home builder. Residential design projects can also involve the more straightforward redecorating of a residence. A remodeling project can involve moving nonload-bearing walls, replacing cabinets, relocating plumbing fixtures, and other mechanical elements. Remodeling might also lead to adding a room to the house. In some jurisdictions, it is important to point out that these projects must be done with an architect. Redecorating involves changing architectural finishes like walls, flooring, and ceiling. It can also extend to replacing window treatments and planning new furniture items. Modern Living Room Aging in Place The concept of aging in place is not new. It has received unprecedented attention in the late 20th century as the mature generation - the parents of the baby boomers – began to choose to stay in their homes into retirement and beyond. Designing or remodeling homes for adults who wish to age in place brings many challenges to designers. For example, materials specifications need to be made with safety in mind, as the polished stone floor used in home for younger adults can be especially hazardous for the mature and senior adult. Door handles and faucet handles that require grasping can be very difficult for the person with moderate to severe arthritis. Door widths and thresholds can impede movement for someone in a wheelchair or who must use a walker. Modern Living Room Commercial Commercial interior design involves the design of public spaces for the purpose of private and nonprofit business. It is generally agreed that public spaces are interiors where the general public may enter, although, of course there may still be some restrictions. Examples of for-profit businesses are movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, stores, and medical suites, while government buildings are nonprofit business facilities. Any type of business can restrict entry by the general public into certain areas of the business facility. For example, many corporate offices limit entry to employees. A restaurant does not generally allow customers into the kitchen. All commercial interior design, regardless of specialty, has certain common considerations. Commercial interior design projects must be executed with adherence to strict building, fire safety, and accessibility codes. Commercial clients are generally budget-conscious, and the concept of “cheaper, better, faster” is common for commercial projects. Contemporary Living Room - "Mr. and Mrs Smith" Commercial subcategories Professional Offices Law Accounting Stockbrokers Real estate brokers Contemporary Living Room Healthcare Hospital Assisted living facilities Medical and dental suites Psychiatric facilities Outpatient services Medical laboratories Veterinary clinics Pediatric facilities Contemporary Living Room Hospitality and entertainment/recreation Hotels, motels, and resorts Restaurants Health clubs and spas Park facilities Country clubs Museums and galleries Sports complexes Convention centers Retail Facilities/Merchandising Malls and shopping centers Department stores Specialty stores Gift shops Visual merchandising for trade shows Trade showrooms Institutional Government offices and facilities Financial institutions; banks, credit unions Elementary, secondary, and high schools Colleges and Universities Day care centers Churches and other religious facilities Industrial facilities Manufacturing facilities Training facilities Transportation Airport terminals Tour ships Custom and commercial airplanes Recreational vehicles Sustainable Design Sustainable design reaches into all types of commercial spaces as well as private residences. Clients are increasingly demanding healthy enviroments and products that do as little harm to occupants as is possible. There is great opportunity for interior designers – regardless of their – specialty to become engaged in design philosophies that embrace sustainable design theories and practices. Restoration and Adaptive Use Design Restoration of interior and, of course, exteriors is precise and highly specialized work. Design professionals in this specialty often obtain additional educational background in architecture, art and architectural history, and even archaeology. In addition, the restoration of a historic building for contemporary use – not all become museums – involves special concerns for building code applications, safety, and the integration of modern materials with a structure built before the advent of modern codes and construction methods. Adaptive Use is a related specialty that involves modifying a structure or its interior from one use to a relatively different or even totally different use – for example, a residence that is redesigned as a bed and breakfast inn or a fast food franchise outlet as a real state office. In many cases, the original exterior design remains the same or similar while the interior changes dramatically.
Created by Andy Mendes