Interior design definition: NCIDQ Definition of Interior Design

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to
achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the
occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell, and
acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must respect code and regulatory requirements,
and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated
methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and
resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.
The Process of Interior Design:

• Series of steps that a designer takes when working on

an interior design project.
• The details of each stage will differ depending on the
type of design but the approach will always be
similar.
• Stick to the design process during a project to prevent
loss and to achieve batter quality out come.
• Skipping a stage or unfollowing the order will result
in a lower quality outcome, an outcome the client is
not happy with or even worse no outcome at all.
• These are not definitive but they are the
recommended stages in order to achieve a successful
outcome are shown in the figure.
1. Analyse The Brief
• The process starts with client providing brief to the interior designer.
• The brief will outline what the client wants.
• The client will likely have no design experience it is important for the
designer to carefully analyse all details given by the client.
• The success of an interior design will depend not only upon on the skills
and creativity of the designer, but their ability to answer the brief set by
the client.
• A good brief will be as detailed and project-specific as possible.
• It will outline the client's requirements and aspirations, set down a budget
for works and the time scale in which the project must be complete.
2. Identify The Key Requirements
• Based on the analysis of the brief designer must identify the most
important parts.
• Suggestions of requirement as per standard and according t you
experience.
• Identification of key requirement of the brief.
• If the brief is not detailed then meet with the client and ask them some
questions in order to discover their exact requirements, the style of design
that would suit them, the spaces that their way of living will require etc.
3. Create An Accommodation List
• An accommodation list is a list of spaces/areas that will
accommodate the activities of the client.
• If the brief is for the interior design of an entire house or office
then the list may include activities such as living, dining,
receiving, sleeping etc.
• While for a single space brief the list may include activities
such as seating, storage, playing etc.
• Designing a space by rooms can be very restrictive and
therefore designing to meet the needs of the client is a more
direct and accurate approach.
4. Draw Relationship Diagrams 5. Research Existing Designs

• Draw a relationship diagram between the spaces. • Research is important to identify possible design styles
• During this process it is important to consider factors such as and ideas which may also suit the needs of your client.
light, noise, function etc. • These samples can be used when meeting with the
• The function of each space will have an effect on where it is client to identify the style of design which they prefer.
positioned within a building or, on a smaller scale, the function • For students research will also help to familiarise
of an object/furniture piece will have an effect on where it is yourself with industry standard designs and the quality
positioned within a space. of design which is required.
• Example: of the multiple factors of relationships that are
associated with an object, a desk will be best positioned near a
socket (to allow a computer to be plugged), where it gets good
natural/artificial light, away from nearby noise (so as not to
distract from work), facing out a window or toward objects of
interest (for inspiration) and of course where there is room to
sit comfortably at it
Interior design styles...

• Modern
• Contemporary
• Minimalist
• Classic
• Art Deco
• Retro
• Urban
• Country
• Rococo
• Georgian
• Victorian
6. Create a Concept Design

• Use of modern 2d 3d softwires to display you vision.

• It is important that your designs successfully display your
ideas in a way that the client can understand and visualise.
• Create ‘Mood board’ with the help of perspective and other
3d views.
• Mood board is the representation of the ideas and concepts, it
will have all parts of ideas which are in the mind of the
designer/user. This will include color palettes; and all the
combinations to be used in the designing process.
7. Obtain Client Feedback
• As an interior design project cannot be easily edited, like
digital designs can, it is vital to get feedback from the client
before proceeding with the implementation stage.
• Clients are often uncertain about what they really want so it is
important to present your design concept in a positive manner
and highlight the positive features of the design to the client.
• The reason for this is that an indecisive client may result in
numerous design solutions being presented without any real
progress being made.
• This stage can be a real sticking point in the design process
and can result in wasted time and resources so remember that
you are the designer and it is up to you to guide the client in
their decision making, that is why they hired you after all!
8. Implement The Design
• Realising your design concept and seeing it come to
life.
• This stage may require sub sections of its own
depending on the size of the project.
• plan this stage extensively before you begin by
preparing and clearing the space, ordering materials in
advance and having them at hand on the day as well
as hiring the staff required to get the project
completed on time and within budget.
9. Evaluate The Design

• Reflection of completed design is important in order to

ensure you learn from experience and identify the successful
parts of the design to allow you to replicate them in future
design projects as well as identifying the parts of the design
that did not go well in order to avoid or solve them in future
designs.
• It may also be useful to get the opinion of others at this stage
• Question to ask yourself some questions such as, did I meet
the requirements set out in brief? Did I keep to the budget?
Did I complete the project on time?