Safety, Space, and Safety, Space, and Setting in Interior Design
by Erika Edwards DecasterInterior Design School Review Columnist
Safety, space, and setting are the interior designer's primary focus. Interior design requires creativity, knowledge, and technical skills.
Learn more about The Art Institute Online's Bachelor Degree program in Interior Design.
What is Interior Design?
According to the American Society of Interior Designers, interior design is, "the total creative solution for a programmed interior. It encompasses the conceptual planning, aesthetic and technical solutions applied to achieve a desired result." In simpler terms, interior design is essentially planning, decorating, and putting together a space with a specific purpose.The Use of Space
Interior design is much more than curtains and wallpaper. In 18 states, interior designers must pass strict state licensing exams. Interior designers must take into consideration the intended use of the space, be it a church, a retail store, a kitchen, or a school. The health and safety of the people who will use the space are determining factors in the designer's final plan.A Broad Base of Knowledge
Designers must have an in-depth knowledge of furniture, fabrics, accessories, ornaments, and fine art. You must have the technical skills that correspond to interior features like lighting, floor coverings, glass, and paint.Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers
Interior design differs from interior decorating in the fact that interior designers actually design the space, whereas interior decorators work within a pre-planned space. Interior designers may decide the location of permanent fixtures, such as bathtubs, offices and cubicles, or a kitchen island. Interior designers often work with architects and engineers in planning how a space will be designed. In many cases, such as with a shopping mall, the exterior is designed by an architect and the interior is left completely to the interior designer.Above all, interior designers must consider the safety, efficiency, and ease of their design for those who will use the space.
About the author
Erika Edwards Decaster is a self-proclaimed fashion devotee. She has most recently worked as an internship coordinator for Brigham Young University. Her previous experience includes publishing, curriculum development, museum administration and as a teacher of English as a second language. She has also worked as a full-time humanitarian aid volunteer in Portugal and as an employment specialist in the Dominican Republic.
Previous: Interior Design is More than Meets the Eye
Next: Interior Design for Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise's New Love Shack
Back to News Archive
Want to suggest interior design news or links?
