Interior Designer

LESSON 2 : Interior Designers
An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and

functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or
residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the
structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both.
Interior designers have to be good with more than colour, fabric, and furniture; interior
designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee
the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space. They also
have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of
required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators.
Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors and clients alike,
planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles
to miles of carpeting - and all this usually must be done within a fixed budget. Interior
designers are hired for their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely
their own personal vision. Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes
and their clients’ tastes - and be willing to put their clients’ tastes first.
Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of
a space is finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable
reading blueprints. Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work
very satisfying. Postsecondary education - either an associate or a bachelor’s degree
- is necessary for entry-level positions; some States license interior designers.
Interior designers draw upon many disciplines to enhance the function, safety,
and aesthetics of interior spaces. Their main concerns are with how different colours,
textures, furniture, lighting, and space work together to meet the needs of a building's
occupants. Designers plan interior spaces of almost every type of building, including
offices, airport terminals, theatres, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools,
hospitals, and private residences. Good design can boost office productivity, increase
sales, attract a more affluent clientele, provide a more relaxing hospital stay, or
increase a building's market value.
Traditionally, most interior designers focused on decorating - choosing a style

and colour palette and then selecting appropriate furniture, floor and window coverings,
artwork, and lighting. However, an increasing number of designers are becoming
involved in architectural detailing, such as crown moulding and built-in bookshelves,
and in planning layouts of buildings undergoing renovation, including helping to
determine the location of windows, stairways, escalators, and walkways.
Interior designers must be able to read blueprints, understand building and fire
codes, and know how to make space accessible to people who are disabled. Designers
frequently collaborate with architects, electricians, and building contractors to ensure
that designs are safe and meet construction requirements. Whatever space they are
working on, almost all designers follow the same process. The first step, known as
programming, is to determine the client's needs and wishes. The designer usually
meets face-to-face with the client to find out how the space will be used and to get an
idea of the client's preferences and budget.
The designer also will visit the space to take inventory of existing furniture and
equipment and identify positive attributes of the space and potential problems. After
collecting this information, the designer formulates a design plan and estimates costs.
Today, designs often are created with the use of computer-aided design (CAD)
software, which provides more detail and easier corrections than sketches made by
hand. Upon completing the design plan, the designer will present it to the client and
make revisions based on the client's input.
When the design concept is finalized, the designer will begin specifying the
materials, finishes, and furnishings required, such as furniture, lighting, flooring, wall
covering, and artwork. Depending on the complexity of the project, the designer also
might submit drawings for approval by a construction inspector to ensure that the
design meets building codes. Finally, the designer develops a timeline for the project,
coordinates contractor work schedules, and makes sure work is completed on time.
The designer oversees the installation of the design elements, and after the
project is complete, the designer, together with the client, pay follow-up visits to the
building site to ensure that the client is satisfied. If the client is not satisfied, the
designer makes corrections.
Interior designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their plans and
perform administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples.
Designers who run their own businesses also may devote considerable time to
developing new business contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and
attending to business matters.
Although most interior designers do many kinds of projects, some specialize in

one area of interior design. Some specialize in the type of building space - usually
residential or commercial - while others specialize in a certain design element or type
of client, such as healthcare facilities. The most common specialties of this kind are
lighting, kitchen and bath, and closet designs. However, designers can specialize in
almost any area of design, including acoustics and noise abatement, security,
electronics and home theatres, home spas, and indoor gardens.
Active vocabulary of the lesson
Verbs: determine, suit, oversee, define, distinguish, implement, decision, hire,

balance, provide, increase, focus on, satisfy, supervise, devote, specify, carry out.
Nouns: structure, occupants, fabric, skills, installation, maintenance, capacity, safety,

handles, expertise, approach, taste, lighting, residence, palette, walkways,
requirements, preferences, attributes.
Adjectives: commercial, industrial, residential, responsible, aesthetic, functional,

private, appropriate.
Adverbs: closely, merely, traditionally, finally.

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LESSON 2 : Interior Designers

An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and

Traditionally, most interior designers focused on decorating - choosing a style

Although most interior designers do many kinds of projects, some specialize in

Active vocabulary of the lesson

Verbs: determine, suit, oversee, define, distinguish, implement, decision, hire,

Nouns: structure, occupants, fabric, skills, installation, maintenance, capacity, safety,

Adjectives: commercial, industrial, residential, responsible, aesthetic, functional,

Adverbs: closely, merely, traditionally, finally.

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