Interior design

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, product design and furniture design in addition to traditional decoration. An interior designer is a person who is considered an expert in the field of interior design or one who designs interiors as part of their job. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents. In some jurisdictions, interior designers must be licensed to practice.

1 The Profession
2 Specializations
3 Styles
4 See also

[edit] The Profession

The following definition was decided upon and is endorsed by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (The Council) (formerly known as FIDER), the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and major interior design associations IIDA, ASID) of North America.

"The professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

The professional interior designer:

Analyzes client's needs, goals, and life safety requirements.
Integrates findings with knowledge of interior design.
Formulates preliminary design concepts that are aesthetic, appropriate, and functional, and in accordance with codes and standards.
Develops and presents final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media.
Must by law, after presentation form, get a certified contractor to do the job, as it is against the law to do the work themselves, unless they are certified.
Prepares and administers bids and contract documents as the client's agent.
Reviews and evaluates design solutions during implementation and upon completion.

(http://www.fider.org/definition.htm)

There is a distinct difference between interior decorating and interior design. Choosing finishes, such as wallpaper, paint, window coverings, and furnishings is one aspect of interior design when practiced as the outcome of strategic choices made to enahnce specific intentions. Interior design also involves manipulating the architectural integrity of the interior space as well as the creation of a lifestyle experience through the study of human behavior. Interior designers utilize the design process in the specialized area of interior spaces and places with a focus on the power those spaces and places have to affect the end user.

[edit] Specializations

There are many different areas that an interior designer may specialize in. These can include areas such residential, retail, corporate, hospitality, healthcare, or institutional design. Within each area there can be further niche expertise. This can include restaurants and cafeterias (where food is prepared and served), stores and offices (where the public can enter), medical facilities (where disease control is a concern). In some states and countries, these specializations may require additional certification.

Interior designers may possess environmental expertise contributing to sustainable design solutions, and may take an examination to achieve(LEED) professional accreditation.

Some residential designers have an expertise in Kitchen and Bath design. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) administers certification to these designers.

The areas which involve interior designers are limited only by the imagination and are continually growing and changing. As the aging population increases, there has been an increased focus on design for the elderly. Awareness of the ability of interior spaces to create positive changes in people's lives is increasing, and so interior design is also becoming relevant to areas of advocacy.

[edit] Styles

Essential parts of all design styles are concept, color, proportion, balance, ergonomics, and function of design. Although all styles differentiate their usage of each of these, they are all an integral part of the overall look and feel of a room or space. Designers incorporate the seven elements of design to create and enhance style: form, mass, shape, line, color, texture and pattern.