Marissa Jasper

8-18-15
Week 8
Introductory Essay

Ive learned a lot about the hardships that Interior Designers go through on a
regular basis. The constant controversies and debates they must go through almost
on a daily basis in order to do what they love the most. Many people believe that all
a designer does is fluff pillows and pick out a few paint colors; essentially all they do
is make a room pretty. Although designers do create beautiful spaces, thats not all
that they do. There is a lot of technical work they must do in order to create a
beautiful space and to give their client what theyre looking for. The significance of
this issue is great. Everyone deserves to have their hard work recognized and if
people learned what it means to be an Interior Designer, then business for
designers would go up.
As of right now, Interior Design is not regulated. There are many
controversies about whether it should be or not. This is just one thing out of many
that Interior Designers are facing as of right now and it is not at all a simple fix.
Some designers wish that it would be regulated and some dont. Some believe that
it would make business easier and better for designers; however, others believe
that it would just make things more difficult and create more hardships than there
already are. With things like this, you cant just do an easy fix and everything be
great; there are multiple things that must be taken into consideration. You have to
think about peoples personal preferences and what is going to be easier for every
individual. Also, many have to wonder that if Interior Design was regulated, would

people finally start understanding the true meaning of what an Interior Designer is?
Would they start to see it as an actual job title and would they start respecting it?
Although regulating Interior Design is a huge discussion, there are other, many
more important issues that are arising in the Interior Design industry. The
educational system for interior designers is under attack right now, some designers
are in the middle of fighting a bill that will force them to get a license that some
dont believe will help; lastly, some students are getting angry because they dont
understand the importance of computer usage in Interior Design.
As was stated above, there is a lot of controversy about interior design
education. Many think that the educational system may not be preparing future
designers for the work force. There has been many ideas on what should be
changed and done in order to better the educational system so that designers
coming out of school are better prepared for the work force. Again, this goes along
with everyone wanting something different. Not every employer is looking for the
same characteristics from interns; everyone is looking for something different that
makes that person stand out. Every employer is searching for something different
when it comes to hiring in a new person; which is why it is important to continuously
update the classes so that the students are learning everything they need to before
walking into a new job or interview.
Another bill within the design community that is causing controversy amongst
fellow designers is to require designers to obtain a license in order to work in
commercial spaces. It is a huge discussion that has been taking place over the last
couple months because many dont believe that they shouldnt be required to get a
license just to work in commercial design. They believe that it will just place more
restrictions on them as designers than there would be without the license. However,

when creating this bill, it was stated that the reason for it was so designers didnt
have to depend on architects when designing a space; they could do what needed
to be done themselves. This one in itself is very difficult to summarize because
there are so many components involved in it. However, I can say that if this bill did
pass, it could benefit some designers and make their jobs easier.
Like I said before, many people dont understand all the technical
components that Interior Designers must go through for just one design. There is a
lot of paper work that is required, a lot of research, sketches, order forms, and
getting contracts with other companies so that you can get the doors, windows, etc.
installed correctly. Its not just a pretty face with nothing to back it up. Interior
design is a very complex job and it takes a lot of concentration and skill.
One of the most controversial topics when it comes to Interior Design
education is computer programs; such as Auto CAD, Sketch Up, Auto CAD
Architecture, etc. As a designer, we use computers a lot of the time. Employers feel
as if schools arent preparing students properly on computer usage and getting
them better acquainted with the programs that well use when we get into the work
force. However, this is a hard topic to fix due to the fact that most programs we use
get updated every two years. However, it is essential that interior design students
know how to properly use all design programs upon graduation because this too
plays an important role in the design process. Most employers look for designers
that know how to properly use all design programs because this is one of the best
ways to convey to a client how you will make their space look.
Another issue is teaching designers how to capture and retain knowledge in
order to improve design group performance. As a designer, it is essential that you

know how to perform properly in a group. Its also essential that you know how to
properly perform the design process because that is one of the biggest components
when designing a space. If your design process is not good, then its most likely that
the end result will not be any better. Your end result reflects on the design process
that you went through before you start getting hands on. You could be in a group
with other designers or you could even be in a group with construction, plumbing,
etc. When doing a project, youre going to be interacting with multiple people who
are in different career fields than you, so its important to learn how to better
yourself in a group.
Along with preparing students on computer programs, its essential to change
students attitudes towards computer usage. These programs are going to be their
best friend when they get out into the field and start doing projects for clients.
These programs are going to make a designers job ten times easier, so its
important to learn how to use them and get comfortable with them while you have
the time. Computer programs such as Sketch Up, Revit, and Auto CAD play a huge
role in a designers everyday life and its important that all designers know how to
correctly navigate through each program. Its also important that they know what all
the components within the program mean and stand for.
Lastly, its important to be open to the idea of going back to school if
necessary. People think that once theyre out, theyre out for good. This, however, is
not entirely the case. Things are constantly changing within the industry that
require further when you dont necessarily understand how something works. If this
happens, then people need to be ready to do whatever it takes in order to stay
updated on the current changes going on. Its important, especially in this industry,
to stay current on everything so that youll stay desirable as a designer. The major

issues are always going to be educational programs and computer programs. This is
what helps designers make it once they get a job.
With all the controversies and hardships that cycle through Interior Designers
lives, its important to get the input and thoughts of students and teachers in the
Interior Design programs. To help further elaborate on how much people really know
and understand whats going on in the industry, surveys were conducted in order to
fully grasp just how many of these people are aware of the issues arising around us.
Surveys were used in order to obtain primary information on the life of an
Interior Designer. Ten questions were laid out in order to get as much insight on
what designers do every day, the controversies and hardships they encounter and
the educational system that future interior designers must go through.
For this survey, students and teachers who are in the Interior Design program
were chosen as the respondents. This was because most of the interior design
teachers were once very great designers and some of them still work in the field
between classes. What better people to ask then the people that have been in the
field for years, have had experience with all these issues and have seen many
changes and transitions within the field? Students were chosen because most of
them already have design jobs and have a foot in the door. They are the best people
to detect what they were ready for when stepping in to the office on the first day
and what subjects need to be focused on more. This survey is an eye-opener as to
how much goes on behind closed doors that goes unseen to the rest of the world.
Like most surveys, everyone has their own point of view. They could agree on
something but then they have their own versions of what should happen in order to
fix/change what the issue is. Thats what happened with this survey. About half

agreed that there were no cons on regulations for Interior Design and the other half
agreed that there were both pros and cons. As for everything else, everyone agreed
all together on everything. There were some things where the answers varied
depending on personal experiences and their job placement but they agreed that
certain things were important and that certain things should be changed in order to
improve Interior Design. When I came to the question on the important facts to
remember when talking with a client, the respondents answers varied, again
depending on what theyve been through and what works best for them when
theyre having a one-on-one discussion with a client. However, the outcome was
unanimous, all respondents agreed that the client is always right and that this
aspect plays a huge role when it comes to Interior Design. Although in other
research, people were torn about the controversies and bills that were making their
way around the industry, the respondents for the survey all agreed that the
regulations and bills were important to have in order to be a successful Interior
Designer. Regulations and bills are important because it helps grow industries,
theyre also important because it helps protect the clients and the designers if
something were to go wrong. One of the most hit upon questions throughout the
entire survey were the questions that were based on the educational system. Its
safe to say that everyone (employers, teachers, other students, and other
designers) all agree that the educational programs designers go through is a gate
way to what theyll experience and go through when their out in their own job.
Educational programs help prepare students for what theyll experience and
go through once theyre out in the real world. If the educational programs arent on
point and arent teaching students the things that theyll have to deal with and the
hardships that theyll have to overcome, then there really isnt any point for the

programs. If students arent being taught the main lessons that will help them in life
that defeats the purpose of having educational programs.
When the survey was over and all the answers were gathered and checked, it
was apparent that all the respondents were aware of the controversies going on in
the field and what was being said about designers. All the respondents agreed that
Interior Designers are perceived as glorified decorators. Most people just view
Interior Designers are people who simply fluff pillows and make rooms look pretty.
As said before, this is true. Designers do make rooms pretty and aesthetically
pleasing; however, there is a lot of other things that are factored into this. The
respondents also agreed that designers should be taught how to improve design
group performance and that specifications are a very important component of
Interior Design. The fact that some designers understand how important these two
components are is amazing. It shows that they are being taught some things that
they can take with them once theyre out in the real world with a job.
There were many different results, which is expected when you ask multiple
people questions. However, this survey shows that every designers day is different
because it depends on where they work and what their work specializes in. Also, it
shows that multiple people can agree on the same thing; however, everyone has
their own opinion on what should be done and how things should be approached.
Peoples experience in the field must also be taken into consideration because the
more you do and the more youre involved in something, the more you learn. Some
of the respondents were designers who have been in the field for years, and some
of the respondents were students who had either no experience in the field or are
freshly new in it. It is important to ask everyone what their opinions are no matter
the amount of experience they have because everyone has their own opinion on

what should happen. With some surveys, there are surprises with the answers that
are given back; however, with this particular survey there werent very many
surprises. The answers that were given back were almost identical to the answers
that were found in other research methods. The only shocking part were the
different ways that issues could be changed.
Surveys are very educational, you learn things that you never would without
them. Every survey is different but every survey teaches something. This survey
proves that people knowing the true meaning of what an Interior Designer is, is
extremely important. If people knew what an Interior Designer did, it would raise
business and sells for an Interior Designer. Its also important because its essential
that people know all the hard work that a designer must go through on a daily basis
to give a client what they want. Its an extremely difficult and stressful job and it is
not fair to designers that they dont get recognized for all the hard work that they
have to do. This survey also proves that regulations and licensing are a huge part of
the Interior Design process. If a designer doesnt have the proper licensing, then
that lowers their credibility, because it makes people think that the designer doesnt
know what theyre doing. Also, if a designer isnt up to regulations and doesnt know
the proper regulations for that place and/or time, then that will also make them lose
credibility. Nobody wants a designer that doesnt know all the technical components
that go along with designing a space. People want a designer that has credibility,
and this is how they build that credibility. Its not all just fluffing pillows and painting
a few walls; its paperwork, dealing with architects, plumbers, etc. ordering
materials in, taking measurements, and trying to give the client exactly what
theyre looking for.

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