Why hire a designer

Good interior and exterior design is not about having “enough space,” and having “enough budget.” Space and budget are not major issues to good design, because these issues can be overcome with great results. The question refers to how the space is to be handled. Unless you’re an expert, you may wish to hire one, as interior design involves far more than simple calculations of how many yardages of fabric or flooring, or pieces of furniture will be needed, or how many dozens of petunias.

What actually does design mean?

Webster defines design as having a goal or purpose; to form a plan for something. Licensed designer, Sharon Breay of Breay Design Associates states “Design is much more than buying pretty ‘things.’ Design is the “how-to” of placing various things together in a harmonious, effective, and aesthetic manner that gives solutions to the user’s needs and desires, whether those needs be an efficient and functional space, ease of maintenance, year long beauty, creating a certain image, design for the physically or ergonomically challenged, or a combination of these and other criteria.

Can I just use retail supply agents or copy an illustration?

Realize your needs are unique to your style of living and working, the type of environment you wish to create, the actual space at hand, the shape of this space, the variables you are willing and/or able to work with, the psychological impact you wish to make, and the amount you wish to spend. Good design involves various principles helping to solve your challenge. Will the salesperson whose expertise is knowledge of the product and sales, consider all these items in the short span of making a sale? Furthermore, will an illustration be “your” best solution; will it take into consideration your needs mentioned above? Designers have education and experience in analyzing client preferences, and they address your criteria with a professional’s perspective to bring about good solutions. ……Take the necessary steps to insure you have success.

What are the steps taken to insure a good interior design?

Addressing the project early; before actually beginning any work on it.
Gathering all data pertinent to the project.
Forming schematic, beginning, solutions to discuss and evaluate.
Developing the chosen solution details now; it will save you time and money.
Addressing the cost of your chosen solution.
Having the finalized solution implemented.
Either you and/or your design professional keeping in close contact with the project as it is implemented, to insure it is following the design intent.
SMILING!!! The end results prove it’s all been worth the time and effort!

What is A.S.I.D.?

The American Society of Interior Designers is the oldest and largest professional organization for interior designers with the largest residential and commercial membership. With more than 30,000 members, ASID establishes a common identity for professionals and businesses in the field of interior design.

Professional members of ASID must pass rigorous acceptance standards: they must have a combination of accredited design education, full-time work experience, and pass a two-day accreditation examination (National Council for Interior Design Qualification - NCIDQ). Only members who have passed these standards of education, in-field experience, and NCIDQ certification may use the professional appellation of A.S.I.D. or ASID after their name; other members are either Allied ASID or ASID Industry Partners (manufacturers of design-related products and services).

ASID promotes professionalism in interior design services and products for the workplace and home. To keep up with the unique needs of its members, ASID conducts independent research on topics related to the practice and business of the profession. ASID designers receive the most current information about appropriate materials, technology, building codes, government regulations, flammability standards, design psychology and product performance. Your environment. Your ideas. Our job is to understand. Interiors can look many different ways, but how they work is more important. Designing environments that satisfy your needs requires understanding your space's current and future uses.

ASID interior design consultants are trained to deal with more than the furnishings and finishes that go into making a space look wonderful. They use analytical problem-solving skills that focus on your needs and aspirations. Designers listen, understand and ultimately create a space that exceeds your expectations.

What is N.C.I.D.Q.?

Successful completion of the NCIDQ examination is a prerequisite for professional registration in those American states and Canadian provinces that have enacted licensing or certification statues to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The NCIDQ examination must also be passed by every interior designer applying for “professional” membership to A.S.I.D.

On June 9, 2001 the State of Colorado joined most of the other United States allowing the construction drawings of an NCIDQ certified interior designer to be submitted to a Building Department for construction approval, as long as the interior designer’s work did not contain load-bearing components, such as design of building core, columns, roof, or foundation. Tenant build-out projects, retail, business and medical reconfigurations of space, and home decoration and remodeling are among a few project types generally included in this Statute. The designer must show documentation of NCIDQ certification (called “licensing” in most states) and of professional liability insurance. For further information, refer to House Bill 01-1153, or give us a call and we’ll fax over a signed copy making this bill into a law.