Interior Designers plan and design or redesign attractive and useful interiors for homes, hotels, ships, hospitals, office buildings, pubs, theatres, retail establishments, and other commercial structures. They may be involved in planning the interiors of new buildings or remodelling old ones. Architects are responsible for the outer shell of a structure. Interior designers often work from blueprints, make detailed floor plans, and draw furniture to scale. They shop in wholesale markets to locate furnishings and accessories, and, when necessary, design original pieces to be made to order. They often work closely with both building and landscape architects. Interior designers identify, research and creatively solve problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment.
Interior decorators help enhance the aesthetic appearance of the interiors of homes and buildings through decoration and coordination. They would be hired to purchase new furniture, drapery, and art work and help the client choose coordinating colours of paint, wall paper, panelling and flooring and to make a wide variety of other interior decisions. Interior designers may double up as interior decorators, but the reverse is not possible unless the interior decorator trained as an interior designer and decorator.
Interior designers must be knowledgeable about the materials and products that will be used to create and furnish the space, and about how texture, colour, lighting and other factors combine and interact to give a space its “feel” or “look”. They must also understand the structural requirements of their plans, the health and safety issues, building codes, and many other technical aspects.
Interior Designers usually work directly with clients and must consider their requirements, tastes, preferences, and budget. They must keep form, colour, scale, and arrangement in balance, and keeping in mind the utility, construction, economy, and client satisfaction.
The skill set
A natural aptitude for art is necessary and the ability to work as part of a team. An eye for colour and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation of beauty are critical for interior designers. While flair and creative ability are initial requirements, one would need to build a lot of other things such as design drawing, verbal and visual presentation skills.
Interior designers and wallpaper have to be familiar with the nature of woods, textiles, other material and fixtures and decorating products such as paint and wallpaper it self. They should be interested and knowledgeable about the historical periods that have influenced the development of furniture style and room design, regional trends in design preference, etc.
Since computer-aided design is increasingly common, employers expect interior designers to be familiar and comfortable with the use of computers as a design tool. Being well-read, open to new ideas and influences and being quick to react to emerging trends is useful for interior designers. Self discipline, persistence, good business sense and sales ability are important especially for those who wish to freelance or run their own businesses. Ability to meet deadlines and budgets of clients is critical. Interior designers must be comfortable meeting and dealing with many kinds of people. They must communicate clearly and effectively, as well as be attentive listeners. Having to work collaboratively with architects, contractors, and other service providers, interior designers need to be both good team leaders and good team players. They must be willing to negotiate and mediate when necessary to resolve problems.