On the Profession and Professionalism of Interior Design

As an Interior Designer, I am often finding the need to explain or defend what I do. I either get introduced as an architect, or when I tell someone I am an interior designer, the next response is often “Oh I should have you come do my house“, or “my wife has a knack for that too“. This sounds cliché, but I’ve experienced both of these reactions way too many times.

“Not a Decorator” pin designed by Jane Hallinan
https://www.notadecorator.com

Simply put – every day, I design space that directly impacts the health and well-being of people. As interior designers, it is our sole purpose to enhance people’s lives. We do this in many ways, for many types of people, in many environments and circumstances. Our toolkit includes research methods, precedent study, information gathering, and listening; spatial awareness, planning and organizational skills; understanding of the impacts of color, materiality and lighting; mastery of codes, regulations and anything that affects safety; understanding of building systems and their affect on the environment; the ability to communicate visually and verbally; an understanding of the breadth of options and ergonomic factors that affect furniture selection, an understanding of how things go together; and most importantly, an understanding of human behavior and the ability to problem-solve and design the best environments for people.

We affect every element of the interior environment to create happiness, productivity, and safety. CIDQ (the Council for Interior Design Qualification), recently released an updated definition of Interior Design, which truly captures the breadth of experience that comprises the profile of a qualified interior designer.

I’ve recently had a number of opportunities to talk about the value of interior design, and to contribute to the advancement of the profession. I’d like to share just a brief summary of some of these discussions to help reinforce that interior design is serious business.

CIDQ Practice Analysis Task Force

I mentioned CIDQ above – CIDQ is the organization that administers the NCIDQ Examination, the certification exam for interior design. While the exam is not easy to pass, it is a comprehensive test of interior design knowledge. To ensure that the exam remains relevant, the CIDQ team has developed an NCIDQ Practice Analysis Task force, and I am honored to be a participant. The goal of the task force is to periodically review and define the overall practice areas and distinct tasks, knowledge, and skills required to validate competency, and to issue an updated “Practice Analysis for Interior Design” report. This is then used as the baseline for developing questions and content for the exam. I have also been acting as an Ambassador for CIDQ, visiting schools including Endicott, Wentworth and the BAC to discuss the exam with students. Contact me for a presentation!

CIDQ Ambassador Presentation to Endicott College

CIDA – Council for Interior Design Accreditation

CIDA is the accreditation body for Interior Design Education, responsible for ensuring that the education of the interior design student prepares them for practice in an ever-changing industry. I have recently joined the CIDA Board of Directors, as the IIDA delegate to the Board. Similar to CIDQ, CIDA is constantly reaching out to the practice side of interior design, and analyzing a broad range of environmental, global, societal, economic and other factors to determine impacts on the future of interior design, and therefore the future of interior design education. At our recent meeting, we evaluated the attached “2018 Future Scan”, and discussed broad and specific factors that will ultimately lead to a refinement of CIDA Standards for Accreditation.

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Educators Roundtable

The IIDA Educators Roundtable is a fantastic event sponsored by Milliken, bringing together educators, practitioners and students to discuss issues of the bridge between academics and practice. This year’s roundtable explored the role of research in design, and the impact of a more global student population. This is another great example of how our profession brings academics and practice together to ensure a seamless and integrated approach to the practice of interior design.

Juries and Competitions

The caliber of interior design and interior designers in our community is incredible, and I am grateful to be involved in juries for a variety of nationwide competitions. So far this year I have judged the IIDA Southern California Calibre Awards, the IIDA Anna Hernandez Luna Textiles Education Fund (honoring a woman-owned design firm in business 3-10 years, and I’m soon to judge the Contract Magazine Inspirations Awards,sponsored by Tarkett, which celebrates commercial interior design and architecture with social responsibility. Every year the bar is raised, and the design community is rising to the challenge!

It has been a busy first few months of 2019, and there is more to come – IIDA will be celebrating its 25^th Anniversary at this year’s NeoCon, and as a Past President and Fellow I would not miss this amazing milestone and celebration of IIDA, an organization that continually does so much to advance the profession of interior design.

I have recently returned to teaching at the BAC . I am excited to see the advanced research and thoughtful design that is present I my students’ work.