Interior Design

Let’s get something straight—Interior design is not decorating. I know, you’ve seen episodes of Designing Women and have been sucked in by the southern charm. Do not be deceived. Interior design is as much about usability, safety, and access as it is the look and feel of interior spaces.

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the health, life safety and welfare of the public.

National Council for Interior Design Qualification

As service design becomes more common and research is essential for developing innovative design solutions, the effects of interior spaces on behavior will be of increasing interest to designers across disciplines. Let’s hear from an Interior Designer about their work: