In the world of interior design, after the clients who is the most important factor, there is the central kingpin that most activities surround: the interior designer. An interior designer is a professional who specializes in designing and decorating the interior spaces of homes, offices and other buildings.
Oxford Dictionary defines an interior designer as a home décor designer; a person in the business of interior design.
We here at Zynoplus define a professional interior designer as someone who uses his expertise in design to decorate the interior of a room or building to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
WHAT DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?
They are responsible for designing and decorating the overall environment of a home or building. Interior designers sometimes double as interior decorators. But we should take note that the two roles differ in some ways.
An interior designer is responsible for designing a space based on spatial awareness and creating the framework or skeleton of the space. In contrast, the interior decorator is responsible for decorating or filling that space.
The interior designers create the space and the decorators fill or decorate the space.
The typical workflow of interior designers goes like this:
First, they work with the clients, understanding their needs, preferences and budgets. Then they start by visualizing said dream by using their expertise and experience to create 2D sketches and 3D models of said design.
Next, comes working and collaborating with architects and other construction workers and artisans who are most times in charge of the project management. Also, interior designers are primarily responsible for the procurement of the materials needed for the project. They work with colour schemes, and blueprints and oversee the furnishings of the design.
Interior designers also inspect the space execute the approved designs and bring them to perfect execution.
Required Certification for Interior Designers
This includes both hard and soft skills
- Project management
- Empathy
- Proficiency in spatial knowledge
- Curiosity
- Admiration for beauty and aesthetics
You would usually need a degree or a diploma. However, most countries don’t provide formal education for interior designers. And you do need some registrations or licenses to practice in some countries.