Role of Interior Designers in the Professional World

Majorly, let’s simplify the difference between an Interior Designer and Decorator. While the roles of these professions often correspond, the two are not synonymous. A decorator is mostly concerned with surface decoration using paint, fabric, furnishings, lighting and other materials. An interior designer, on the other hand, practices a three-part process:

1. Shaping the experience of interior space through the manipulation of spatial volume
2. Drawing on aspects of environmental psychology and architecture
3. Specializing in health, welfare and safety

A number of resources are available to identify designers. Many local furniture retailers can refer you to designers, or ask your builder or. It is recommended to talk with at least two and ask for client references. Apparently, making sure there is good interaction. This can be a long-term relationship and you want someone that listens well, provides productive criticism and experiment you, and of course, provides perceptive advice and design detail.

It is worth your time to call some past clients. Ask those former clients whether there was adequate follow-through from conception to completion of their project. And finally, it is always a good idea to have prospective designers take you to current and former project sites to see the work they have done firsthand.

“Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher” -Oprah

There are a number of things we look for in character traits. First, is someone who really conveys a passion for their trade. Are they motivated about what they do and do they motivate you? Second, what is their work principle? Are they willing to “go the extra mile?” Do they make you feel like you are their only client? How much time will they make for you? Approachability and liability are tantamount to their other skill sets.

Third is integrity. Do the designers you are considering do what they say they are going to do? Do they call when they say they are going to call? Do they respect your time and show up for appointments on schedule? Are they grateful for your potential business? It is the designer’s real character that you are going to see if a mistake is made, based on how that mistake is handled. Admitting having done something wrong shows good character, while placing blame exposes poor character.

Talent is the fourth. Do you feel as if the designer has in intrinsic talent to make everything the best it could possibly be – not for fame or fortune but because of high principles? Talent comes from within and should be easily visible. Obvious talent will instantaneously set all of your fears and concerns about your project to rest. If you cannot see or “feel” that talent, you would be better off enduring your search for a designer.

Finally, communication. Does the designer present ideas and visions with clarity so that you can understand? Does the process move too quickly or too slowly? Do you feel as though you’re being rushed into making decisions? A good designer knows how to lay out plans to help you understand, not to confuse you. And how does the designer educate you? Does the designer take the time to teach you the necessary industry standard lingo that will help you communicate effectively when you need to make a decision alone?

So these are the criteria’s for selecting an interior designer. The interior designer should play above mentioned role so that the clients would show satisfaction and contentment and would never underestimate the interior designers for their work.

“I never design a building before I’ve seen the site and met the people who will be using it.” — Frank Lloyd Wright

IMPACT OF CONSUMERISM ON COMMERCIALISM

Have you ever found yourself surfing through the magazines, websites or been to a shop and got so lost and mesmerized by all the latest products and fancy items that you finally end up buying all those things which u have never wanted? This is how consumerism is playing its effective role.

History of consumerism dates back to ancient times but it has acquired a new form and has become an integral part of life style as it helps the people to stay updated and modern due to globalization.It instigates people to buy more than want they actually want. Consumerism has flourished more after the industrial revolution when things get started producing in bulk and becomes affordable and could reach wider range of people.

It has both the negative and positive aspects.When people become addictive and keep on consuming, then the natural resources start to get scarce and the ultimate result is global warming.While on the positive side it helps the economy of the country to grow through the creation of more and more shopping malls and hotels. There are few countries which help and support this culture like Singapore and Turkey which resulted in the establishment of great number of the shopping centers and hotels in those countries.

The research was conducted by many scientists and researchers to find why people waste money expensive things like electronic, clothing, cars and technological devices etc. and according to the research the reason why people consume more is advertisement. It stimulates part of the brain that fuels creative rush. Billion of the companies around the world advertise their brand and products through television, magazines and now in this world of technology there are few applications that one can install on the smart phones and get the recent updates about different products and trends.

As oftenly mistaken Consumerism is not only about selling the goods but it’s also about the image or branding of the product. Consumerism is the act of pleasure and satisfaction for the buyer hence the strategy of branding identities have been used by producers to get loyal consumers as people have a sense of belonging to the brand. Producers imply contemporary branding by promoting the relationship between the consumers and the products through advertisement.It makes items more appealing psychologically to the targeted market. Branding or branded lifestyles gives us the new identity which we can develop through our own preferences and mask our original identity.

The consumer’s experience begins before they even reach the door through advertisement so Companies in order to let people know about their products they make attractive posters and magazines having colorful and vibrant picture which spends an implicit message to the consumer which convinces them to buy the product.Consumerism flourishes the creative and designing process with variety of brands struggling to make their own identity they work harder to design in such a way that they stay exclusive and maintain their identity which is the reason behind all the vibrant and catchy interiors.

While designing an interior it is very important to understand people and what lasts longer on their minds. For that we need to look into what motivates them. The main key points are: enhancing the quality of life, pleasure, education, relaxation, entertainment, emotional satisfaction, stress relief and status. Interiors should be done in such a way that it exceeds the consumer’s expectation and leaves a lasting impression on their mind which makes them come back again and again. There is no point for having a space when it’s not being fully utilized and designed.

.

INDIVIDUALITY IN INTERIOR SPACES

People live, interact or behave differently from each other. These differences are also represented in their interior spaces. Every individual tries to have some kind of individuality and specialty in some or other way. They are like to have their identity marked in their personal spaces. They have different perceptions and feelings about the colour, lights,materials and spatial configuration of objects. Their personal likeness and feel is further transferred into the interior spaces when designed as per their aesthetic senses which give that space an individual character and identity. For instance some people get a lively and fun feeling when interior is painted red but some people get a repulsive and aggressive feel of this similar colour. Taking an example from the local context in the restaurant Copper Kettle,DHA Lahore,the bold yellow walls and characters built on walls may seem pleasant and attractive to some people and at the same time unpleasant to others.Basically colour and light are sensory qualities and cannot be described fully. Everybody perceives and responds differently to colours and light. Similarly the choice in material, texture and objects also differs. Some people like grand massive furniture and detailing in their room furnishing. Some like it simple and minimal. Thus you can say it’s all about choice and preferences which lead to individuality. A home or if narrowed down the scope then a room is likely to be a personal statement you like to make it for yourself. The colour/treatment of the walls, the curtains, the furniture, the closet, the study can be designed as per one‘s perception or imagination. Their perception leads to a personal or individual’s own space. Extensive research has been done on sense of self in a home interior. One of the excerpts from these findings is

An individual’s unique identity is established through personalization of space, an action critical to overall development of Self. (Baille &Goeter,1997)

People tend to express their self in their spaces consciously or subconsciously. A space represents their character through their belongings and their placements. To define or completely express themselves in their spaces people need the help of an interior designer. An Interior Designer will help  in translating their inner psyche and their dreams into a place where they feel belonged. People want to have their own spaces as unique and a true reflection of their soul. They represent their values and character so that they can take pride in that place of their own. A room can be a mirror of self. It owns your personality and you own that room. This ownership gives a person a certain kind of pride and satisfaction. Psychologically human feel connected and secure to the place to which they feel belonged. Moreover individuality of the spaces created variety and uniqueness.                                      

An interior designer must help people to express their individuality in their spaces.

Integrating Sustainable Ideas into Interior Design

It’s being observed that during the past few decades the profession of interior designing took importance in the emerging trends of art and architecture. In any construction work, from commercial to residential and industrial to utilitarian, interior design takes a big chunk that cannot be denied. The recent trend among the client approaching for interior design requires and demands for sustainable building idea to be implemented not only in interior but also in exteriors. So it is important for the designers to have fair knowledge about the environment friendly design or green design factors. 

The sustainable factor proposes the use of a more than typical building materials and decision in designing within an unarticulated shell and a design process of conceiving a sustainable interior design. I read it somewhere that ‘Design necessitates the exploration of sustainability beyond the specification of materials to incorporate an appreciation for the limitations of the environment’. Agreed with the quote, I have been searching how one can apply sustainable knowledge in any project. Knowledge on local and even global companies involving in producing green products can easily been gained in the internet.

There are quite a number of companies national and international, both offering sustainable materials used to design space which are good positive trend for green solutions. It is our hope that using sustainable material consciousness attitude would widespread and pervades into the system of every mindset.

After reading many international reports and conduct survey in Pakistani markets, following analysis have been derived including building specification and cost of the material. It touches sustainable floors, wall materials, sustainable lighting and also the ventilation types of the roof.

Bamboo and natural timber seems being the most popular choice for flooring in international interiors whereas in Pakistan, ceramic and vinyl tiles are most commonly used. It is cost effective and can be easily maintained. Also, it is being analyzed that fashion for rugs and carpets become old in present interiors due to hygiene issues and people comfort. The ceramic tiles generally size 17X17 inches, textured upto cost 185 / sq.ft with different pigments according to the rooms. 

Lighting is one of the important sustainable criteria in green design feature. Having sun shading i.e. building external window sun shading or simply letting natural sun light deep into the interior space can greatly reduce the usage of artificial lighting. It is necessary to ensure by the interior designers to have knowledge on how the orientation of the building takes place. Internationally, architects focused more on natural lights, energy savers, skylights and sunshades whereas in Pakistan, this trend is new and accommodated with different circumstances in buildings by many interior designers. Also because of energy crisis, energy savers have been used. For say, in a room size 10’X10’, 2 energy savers are required of 18 watt with the cost 120/bulb or 24 watt cost 180/bulb. Halogen lights (fancy lights) also become a trend in residences. To reduce the cost, halogen covers with savers have been used instead of halogen lights (9watt saver of Rs. 80 and halogen cover of Rs. 100)

Walls materials both internal and external, plays a vital role in sustainability. Internationally, walls are treated with natural stone, eco wall paper, recycled gypsum, low emitting walls, green or natural timber. This concept is Pakistan is very new, but still designers are struggling with ecofriendly wall systems. Sometimes walls are cement weeping plaster. This treatment requires little maintenance and ribbed surface breaks up sunlight to reduce glare. In residences, matt finish paint is generally used lasting for 4 years (cost 1150/bucket). 

Having natural air running across the building is good green design practice in term of health factor for the occupant. The international practice includes jack roof, louvers and vast glazed openings, whereas in Pakistan aluminum/wood sliding windows and louvers which are detachable is used. The wood windows are durable and cost effective (2000-5000) whereas aluminum windows are costly (4000-7000) and sometimes heat up due to high temperature. Implementing air ventilation is one of the green design factors to be implemented in interior design issues in Pakistan.

More studies about environmentally, economically and socially sustainable interior design will be necessary to contribute to the further refinement of an interdisciplinary body of knowledge in sustainable design. It is important to know the state of environmentally sustainable interior design practice. The green approach is simply ‘responsible design’. Having a responsibility to sustain life and land with every design decision made are the great things to do.