Choosing An Independent Professional For Interior Design Work
A designer is someone who designs something before it’s ever made, usually by sketching or planning the shape or layout of it first. The term “designer” was used back in the 18th century, and meant an artisan who made things by hand. However, since then, the term has generally encompassed the profession of creating anything by hand. In the 21st century, the designer can typically be seen making furniture, clothing, dishes, and many other things. This career can have a very interesting and varied background, which is one of the many reasons why so many people are drawn to it.
Interior designers range widely in their field. While there are generalist types, who may know how to design anything from a single room to a whole home, there are also highly specialized interior designers. The most highly specialized interior designers will have studied far beyond the traditional art and design courses, often going on to teach or even train in the field. Interior designers range from the most highly skilled craftsman types, who will simply take a simple piece of furniture and make it look elegant, all the way to the artists who will make a piece of furniture that doesn’t just look good, but is functional as well.
Interior designers range widely in their field. While there are plenty of books and magazines on how to become an interior designer, many people don’t realize that there are actually several sub-specialties within the field. Some of these sub-specialties include: communication designers, product designers, designer consulting services, and user experience designers. Below, we’ll go over each sub-specialty in greater detail.
Communication designers range from the highly skilled individuals who are able to talk with their clients face to face, to the designers who simply can draw up a basic blueprint of a room and call it a day. These types of designers may communicate with their clients by phone, email, and even Skype. If they have enough knowledge about the specific product or style that they are creating, they may even be able to communicate with their clients through a physical meeting (such as at the design firm or factory where the designer works). Communication designers range from the extremely technical, with great design skills, to the artist types, who have a great eye for detail, but who do not communicate with their clients on a one-to-one basis.
Product designers work under the supervision of a principal designer, who typically dictates what a product looks like, but does not actually create the product itself. Designers within this sub-field are responsible for crafting the concept of a product and implementing the idea in a way that it can be used in real life. The job description for this designer position will often require working in close collaboration with a principal designer, so it is important to ensure that you know both of their designs. Most product designers will also need to have a strong background in business development, as they will be heavily involved in marketing of the products that they create. These designers typically communicate with their clients via telephone or electronic mail, and may even meet them to discuss their project once it is complete.
If you are considering hiring an independent professional, ask questions regarding the kind of communication and rapport that you would like to have with your designer. A good designer will be willing to answer any and all questions, and should never withhold information or ask too many questions. If a designer continually tries to pressure you into signing a contract before you are happy with the end result, you may want to consider hiring another designer. Most good designers have a happy medium between rigid deadlines and creative ideas; you just need to find that designer who uses their creativity and experience to help you make an informed decision.