A range of design professionals work on interior design projects of all shapes and sizes for both commercial and residential clients. And then there are the homeowners who like to do it themselves.
The interior designer
Most professional interior designers will have some kind of qualification in the subject. They may have studied architecture for a period or be trained in 3D design or a related subject. Designers who have completed a degree or diploma in interior design are eligible to register for accreditation from BIID (British Institute of Interior Design). Most interior designers who work at the higher end of the industry – on luxury homes, for example, or hotel interiors – will have some architectural expertise or employ architects to work with them on schemes. Others will only concern themselves with the furnishing of a space.
Picture of Suzy Hoodless by Frank Herholdt.
The architect
Architects don't generally like to be called interior designers, even if they do work predominantly on interior design projects. It takes considerably longer to qualify as an architect (seven years including two years' on-the-job training) than as an interior designer. Although, the reality is that a lot of architects and architecture practices do work on interior schemes as well as building projects – commercial interiors in particular where they will focus on structural and spatial issues as well as surface design and decoration. Bigger commissions will involve the design of both a building and its interior.
The interior architect
Interior architecture straddles the middle ground between interior design and architecture and is a relatively new discipline. It is often taught by architects and through architecture schools. Courses are usually between three and four years long and cover interior design theory as well as practical space planning, project development skills and technical drawing using the latest CAD software.
The interior stylist or decorator
A stylist is more a dresser of space than a constructer or moulder of space and is primarily concerned with surface design and decoration. He or she will most likely be involved in a more temporary type of interior design that is only seen for a few days and possibly then photographed for marketing and publicity purposes.
The fit-out company
Fit-out companies are traditionally employed to bring an architect or interior designer's concept to life using their construction and building expertise, but some offer a design service as part of their business.
The homeowner
Spurred on by the DIY craze of the 1990s and more recently the glut of home, design, property and architecture shows on TV, more people than ever are taking on their own interior design projects as a way of increasing the value of their homes or just simply expressing taste and personality. Luxury homeowners, however, are still more likely to employ professional interior designers for the job.