A dialogue on the strategic value of interior design
by René Ng
Renovation programs on TV have undoubtedly made the general public more aware of the built environment. However, the time and thought processes behind interior design is often left on the cutting room floor leaving the profession hugely undervalued and decoration mistaken for design. A wise professor, from Ryerson University’s School of Interior Design in Toronto, once said, “Interior designers must also know half of what an architect knows and a quarter of what an engineer knows, but they get half the pay and a quarter of the respect.”
Interior design or interior architecture, as it is known in Europe, is responsible for most of the spaces we live, work, and play in. Everything, from the overall layout of rooms down to the exact location of the toilet paper dispenser, has been thought-out and strategically planned by an interior designer to add value.
A well-designed space will maximize the use of real estate through efficient space planning, incorporate appropriate levels of natural and artificial lighting, and use non-toxic materials. For companies, this means increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and well-being. The space can also be considered an extension of a company’s values and identity, translating into teambuilding within, and customer loyalty through brand cohesiveness.
The HASSELL studio in Brisbane. The former Keating's Bread Factory building has been extensively refurbished to create a suite of open-plan, interconnected studio and gathering spaces.
Unbeknownst to the masses, an interior designer’s job is to “protect and enhance the health, life safety, and welfare of the public,” as defined by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Through this tenet, a designer will have applied occupational and safety standards, including accessibility requirements of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), national and regional fire safety and building codes, and ergonomics. Someone in a wheelchair will be able to use the space freely. People will be able to make a quick and unobstructed dash for the exit in the event of a fire. Employees will not hurt or strain themselves on the job due to poorly designed furniture.
Recognizing that the construction industry is responsible for so much of the world’s waste, headways are being made throughout the trade and interior designers are in a position to encourage environmental sustainability. We can push our engineers to use more efficient electrical and mechanical systems. We can source more local, sustainable, and non-toxic furniture, equipment, and finishes. We can design more beautiful, timeless, and durable spaces instead of staying on trend only to demolish and rebuild every five years. To the public, we are purveyors of things cool and pretty, so we are duly responsible to introduce these responsible practices in order for them to become the norm. Interior designers can probably tell you where to put the sofa in your tiny condo and select curtains to match, but interior designers are positioned do so much more, for profit, people, and planet.
René is an interior designer with experience in retail, hospitality, commercial, and exhibit design. He has contributed to projects appearing in both FRAME and Objekt magazines. Based in Toronto, he is also currently a Design Management student at Pratt.
9 Comments on "Interior Design as Strategy"
Thank you so much for this eloquent and informative post. I am a designer in the midwest with my Masters Degree in Interior Design and am constantly defending and educating those around me on my career of choice. It is so hard to define what we do/know based on the understanding of the public at large. Your article does a great job at doing just that. Thanks again!
Thanks so much René. I’m an interior design student in my senior year. It’s hard to explain to people that we do more than select colors and pretty fabrics. Your article is encouraging.
Thank you for a well written explanation of our profession!
Terrific article, thanks for stating some additional facts about our role in the industry, and with project consulting. Yes the TV shows have brought about a new perspective on what we do, but things like this need to be expressed more frequently. The general public is under the impression that what we do, is quick, and has very little value. We know differently, and articles like yours, feeds them much needed information regarding our credibility.
Thank you!
Very interesting article, it definitely elaborates on our world a lot more. I noticed that you are based in Toronto. I myself am considering the Pratt program, but am based in Boston and wanted to find out more about how you attend the program..etc
Would love to hear more about the program if possible. My email:sashyathind@hotmail.com
Thank you for shedding light on the role that interior designers play in our society. Your points are followed through with strong and material justification of the value of interior design, that is so often overlooked in our society. Hopefully more press like this will result in higher respect for the profession, not only from architects and engineers, but from society at large.
I finally made the decision to post a thought, and let me tell you this is another very strong post. I’ve been going through some of your previous content and have been viewing your blog site every now and then|Hola, I love your content.
Thank you for your comments. The feeling that interior designers, and designers in general, are under valued is common. It is up to us to inform and educate the public that design can create a strategic advantage. We need to show that design is more useful than making something pretty in the end.
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