Interior design is an art and science of improving the interior of an existing building to create a healthier and often more aesthetically pleasing surroundings for those who use the space. An interior designer is a person who plans, explores, coordinates, and oversees these improvement projects. In today’s society, interior design is used in everything from residential homes to hospitals, from corporate board rooms to school classrooms. This practice can be traced back to the ancient world, when the architect Vitruvius designed one of the first public buildings in Rome, the Colosseum.
While Vitruvius was designing the buildings, he based much of his work on studying the effects of sunlight and rain on the architecture. He also studied how to best use the natural materials available at the time to best build the structure. In modern times, the principles that Vitruvius used are still used today by interior designers. In fact, some would say that he should be credited with the invention of furniture. While this may be true, modern interior designers owe a lot of their success to the building codes and furniture regulations that were put into place to protect against injuries and damages to people and property that could occur as a result of poorly built structures and furnishings.
Interior designers are charged with coming up with ways to make spaces look better, more appealing, easier to use, safer, more functional, and cheaper. While there are many categories of these “designers,” there are four main ones: residential designers, who work in residential areas; builders and construction managers, who are responsible for the construction of buildings and often build one room at a time; design professionals, who create the plans and environments for buildings; and environmental specialists, who research ways to make a space more conducive to its surroundings. There are also categories that fall under each of these umbrella categories, such as sustainable interior design, eco-parks, and green offices. Of course, the list goes on.
While most people think of an interior designer as being the person who designs the homes they live in, there are actually three main parts of the process. First, there is the planning stage, where the interior decorator works out the details of the space and its environment, including color scheme, size, materials, and fixtures. This planning stage is very important, because what you see in the space may not be what you get! Second, the designing stage occurs after the planning phase, during which time the interior decorator will work with architects, carpenters, masons, and other interior designers to design the physical features of the space, including floor plans, architectural detail, and furniture.
Once the interior designing phase is complete, the next step is the implementation phase. During this stage, the interior designers will physically put the different elements together in the right way. At this point, it is the responsibility of the interior designer to make sure that the interior spaces are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and safe. An interior designing course will prepare students for all of these important tasks, teaching them everything from communication skills to technical aspects.
Communication is crucial between architects and interior designers, since they will both be involved in the creation of the interior spaces. The interior designer will create the floor plans and furniture, while the architect gives the layout a sense of place. This interaction is essential, as it helps the interior designer and architect know what the client wants. Interior designers work closely with carpentry experts, constructors, masons, and painters, all of whom will be necessary to make sure that the interior designer’s vision comes to life in the spaces. This is why it is such a rewarding career and why many young people choose to pursue an interior designing career.