Home > Design Guidance > Design Disciplines > Interior Design

Interior Design

by Frances Mazarella, ASID, LEED AP, GSA Workplace Productivity Team / Jennifer Lipner, Associate Editor, American Society of Interior Designers

Last updated: 04-24-2008

Introduction

Interior design concerns itself with more than just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space; it seeks to optimize and harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be put. Thus, in the words of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is "practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style." Interior design is a practice that responds to changes in the economy, organization, technology, demographics, and business goals of an organization.

As a human activity, interior design is centuries old. As a coherent profession identified by the label "interior designer," it is relatively recent. Many experts trace its beginnings to the early 20th century and the rise of interior decoration as a career separate from architecture. In the early decades, this practice focused largely on the residential arena. By the 1940s, the terms "interior design" and "interior designer" were used primarily by those individuals providing services to a small but growing number of business clients. After World War II, nonresidential design—offices, hotels, retail establishments, and schools—grew in importance as the country rebounded economically. Interior design is generally divided into two categories, residential and contract or commercial. Today, interior design is becoming increasingly specialized as buildings and materials get more complex technologically and regulations and standards more demanding.

The first national professional organization for interior designers, The American Institute of Interior Decorators (later, the American Institute of Interior Designers), was founded in 1931, and a second, the National Society of Interior Designers, in 1957. But it was not until the 1960s and 70s that independent organizations were established to assess qualifications for designers and design programs, thereby putting in place the cornerstones of the profession; standards for education, experience, and examination. These are the Interior Design Educators Council, the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. In 1975, AID and NSID merged to form the American Society of Interior Designers. The International Interior Design Association was founded in 1994.

Efforts to bring about statutory licensing of interior designers, variously through title or practice acts, also began in the 1960s. In 1982, Alabama became the first state to enact legislation for the regulation of interior design. Today, 25 states and jurisdictions have adopted some form of regulation for interior design. A current list of interior design laws by state can be found on the ASID website.

Description

A. Professional Definition

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment that solves the customer's problems and links space to business strategies and goals. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell, and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. Interior design can also influence the choice of real estate that will address the organization's needs through the architecture and design elements. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the life, health, safety, and welfare of the public. For the full definition, consult the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.

B. Professional Role in the "Whole Building" Design Process

The interior design professional is extremely important in the "whole building" design process and should be contracted at the onset of the project, referred to as the pre-design phase or programming phase, with the other major disciplines, key stakeholders, client, and end-user contacts. The interior designer needs to work closely with the client to understand their business and space needs. This can be thought of as strategic programming. It should occur at the same time as the building program is conducted. By assisting the organization in understanding its needs, as well as analyzing and recommending ways to link the organization's mission, business, and work processes to an intelligent workplace and space strategy, the interior designer adds value to the client's organization and real estate. Excellent communication with the key members of the team helps define the challenges and each team member's expectations to ensure a successful project. The interior designer must communicate the intent or project plan and what "whole building" systems and architecture can be explored to meet client expectations. Thus, an integrated team approach is important, and the coordination and collaboration of all disciplines is essential to a successful solution.

C. Professional Strategies for Achieving Relevant Design Objectives

It really takes a team to get smarter solutions. Organize the team at the onset of the project. Include the building manager and most importantly a qualified design team with key disciplines and construction manager at the onset. The interior designer should no longer receive a plan from the architect to perform space planning, materials, and furniture selection. The basic principles of a workplace can address and include the following criteria and thus the need for all disciplines to work as a team. These are U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) principles or "hallmarks" for their workplace. (Figs. 1-3)

A typical workstation layout involves corner orientation.

Fig. 1: A typical workstation layout involves corner orientation.
Image courtesy of Haworth, from Better Lighting and Daylighting Solutions (2005, American Society of Interior Designers)

D. Relationship of Interior Design to Involved Building Systems

A more advantageous workstation layout includes office orientation and glazing.

Fig. 2: A more advantageous workstation layout includes office orientation and glazing.
Image courtesy of Haworth, from Better Lighting and Daylighting Solutions (2005, American Society of Interior Designers)

Design and lighting combine to create the visual environment as occupants perceive it.

Fig. 3: Design and lighting combine to create the visual environment as occupants perceive it.
Image courtesy of Haworth, from Better Lighting and Daylighting Solutions (2005, American Society of Interior Designers)

The interior designer must not only be knowledgeable (though not an expert) in building systems, but also at times recommend a system concept that supports the goals of the client and the design direction. For example;

It is important that the interior designer is included in these decisions and is given or develops with other disciplines the cost analysis and life-cycle costing to make the best design decision for the client. It is important to analyze building systems from a holistic viewpoint and specify environmentally sustainable materials and methods.

E. The Effects of Whole Building on the Interior Design Profession are Very Positive

Thus, an experienced designer has career opportunities as a strategic consultant, change agent, environmental expert, communication consultant, project manager, workplace researcher, writer, speaker, and brand consultant; in addition to doing the creative space planning and specifying finishes, materials, furniture, etc.

The benefits to the client can be enormous. The costs of projects can be reduced when all members are working from the beginning and coordinating information. Schedules can be tightened. This brings value to the client and accolades to the team.

Emerging Issues

Change is a given in the dynamic business arena, and interior design professionals must help clients adapt to change. Thus, the designer needs to be knowledgeable of the customer's business needs, competition, and values.

Ongoing issues will continue to impact the interior designer's performance and way of doing business.

Relevant Codes and Standards

Professional Registration

Interior designers are regulated by title or licensed to practice in 25 U.S. states and jurisdictions: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Wisconsin. State regulations set qualifying standards of education, experience, and examination for the practice of interior design, and for the use of a state-designated title. More

Codes

Standards

Major Resources

Professional Associations

Organizations

Publications

Other Resources

Related Resource Pages
View Resource Page Index
WBDG Services Construction Criteria Base