Interior Design in 680 Words

This is a 101. Wanna learn interior design in 10 minutes? Read on.

NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification, the interior design licensing body in the United States) defines interior design as a “multi-faceted profession.” It is a dynamic field in which interior design professionals (interior designers) can specialize in a wide variety of interior environments.

Here is a list of the major things to consider when preparing an interior design proposal.

1. Existing conditions. Look at the existing setting of the space. If the project starts from core and shell, then great! It’s a blank canvass to play with. If it’s a renovation, then there’s definitely more to investigate.
   Main points to look for in a nutshell:
   • Feel of the space in size and ambiance.
   • Entrances and exits
   • Sources of natural light and natural ventilation.
   • Location of the source/s of heating and air-conditioning source.
   • Locations of water supply and drainage.
   • Locations of power supply
   For renovations, it is obvious that the aesthetic condition of the existing space has to be taken into consideration. In a few words, the following may be considered:
   • Look for the advantages of the space. This gives an indication of what you may enhance or what may enhance your new proposal.
   • Look for the disadvantages and eyesores. Suffice it to say, these are the obstacles that need to be solved if not eliminated altogether.
   The above may be advantages or disadvantages in the built environment, color or furniture selection. From this initial study, you may proceed on the following to answer the questions derived from what is existing according to your client’s requirements.
2. Conceptualizing the mood. This sets the foundation. The mood is the goal of the project and this should be discussed between the designer and the client.
3. Space planning. Which spaces would you like to connect to each other by keeping the proximity or by providing direct access? How big is the space available and how much space would you need for your proposal? Knowledge of anthropometrics is also mandatory. Space planning will also need the initial data from the above point to be considered.
4. Color selections. This will be based on your client’s preferences and the main purpose of the space that you are working on. For instance, residential spaces may lean more on neutral and colors and children’s areas may need livelier colors to stimulate creativity. Then again, no one can stop you from thinking outside the box. Also, don’t forget that preparing a color and material board facilitates this creative process.
5. Material and fabric selection. Material selection has to agree with 2 things: the color scheme and the client’s budget. In today’s day and age, there are so many materials to choose from and the possibilities are endless, from low end to high-end prices.
6. Furniture selection. Evidently, this has to follow the purpose of the space. A dining area would require a completely different set of furniture from a living room. Residential interiors would also have a different set of standards in terms of quality and comfort as compared to a commercial, retail or institutional projects. Budget is also taken into account.
7. Lighting. This is usually considered a luxury but an well designed lighting scheme certainly gives a big impact to an interior environment. Similar to furniture selection, different project types also have different sets of standards for lighting and lighting fixtures. For lighting fixtures, standards are based on IP rating, lighting temperature and durability.
8. Accessories. Accessorizing is key. This is as important as selecting the furniture and fixtures. The selection of accessories (or in some instances, the lack thereof) can make or break a design proposal.
9. Design Principles. This came last in this list but definitely not the least, as this should be considered throughout the whole process. All of design follows these principles and is the standard of quality and aesthetics of a design proposal. So ensure to know these principles by heart:
   1. Balance
   2. Scale
   3. Proportion
   4. Emphasis
   5. Rhythm

What do you think? Did I miss anything else? Let us know and let’s discuss. We’d love to know your opinions.

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