Before hiring anyone to assist you in your design needs, make sure that they have a degree in interior design (as opposed to some other distinction) from a FIDER accredited institution to insure the best and most comprehensive credentials (FIDER is the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research that accredits colleges and universities in interior design).
There are some two-year interior design programs, but the most comprehensive degrees are four or five-year bachelor of science degrees. They include the most extensive requirements critical for proper assessment and execution of quality design for your home or office. In addition to education, experience in the field is critical. Do not hesitate to ask a design professional about their years of experience after completion of their education. You do not want to become part of their “learning curve”. If anyone hesitates to readily give you any of this information, and are not willing to give you proof of their credentials, be wary. Your good results depend upon it!
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DISPELLING THE MYTHS
Although the proliferation of home design and make-over shows on television has taken a lot of the mystique out of interior design, many individuals still view the profession with much trepidation and are wary of interior designers. There are many potential clients who could benefit greatly from the assistance of an interior designer, but are put off by stereotypes that portray the profession as a silly bunch of intimidating avant-garde artists that utilize their egos more than their talents to make a statement rather than satisfy the needs of the client.
I would like to dispel those myths by addressing those concerns and answer a few questions about my profession and related fields. To help educate the public, I’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions and misconceptions about interior design and related disciplines.
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APPROACHABLE...that’s - Debra’s Designs - philosophy on interior design
I believe it is my job to assist the client in making the right choices for their individual tastes, needs, and budgets. Whether reflecting the image of a corporation, or the style and tastes of an individual for their home, careful assessment of each situation requires good communication and listening skills. Therefore, I always initiate a project by offering a free consultation to properly assess the scope of the project and to assess the needs and expectations of the client.
As a designer who has worked for a wide variety of employers, ranging from fortune 500 companies to small firms with only a handful of employees, I understand how the working environment can either greatly enhance or distract the efforts of those occupying the space; the affects the environment can have on productivity and attitude are not to be underestimated. On the other hand, as the mother of four children ranging from college to fourth grade, who also highly regards her own individuality and space, I am also acutely aware of the needs of individuals and families and the importance of practical application of design for residential use that is user friendly as well as aesthetically pleasing, whether the space is occupied by one or many.
I believe that regardless of the scope of a project, whether it involves just freshening the look of a space by rearranging the furnishings, a complete design renovation, or anything in-between, an interior designer should assist you to avoid unnecessary stress. By making the right choices for your needs, results that are inappropriate are avoided and the additional expense of costly changes incurred to correct those bad choices is eliminated. My goal is to assist clients to utilize their resources to achieve the best results for their project. This means working within the confines of your budget, and helping you to achieve the environment that best suits you.
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