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White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Kansas City, MO, USA

What Is an Interior Designer?

What, exactly, does an interior designer do? And why should you hire one for your projects involving early child care and preschool facilities? Read on for Interior Designers 101.

The following article was written by our interior designer, Amy Nichols, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP.

An Interior Designer, Defined
A professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces. They are responsible for improving the quality of life, increasing the productivity and protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public on the projects they work on.

A professional Interior Designer is trained to:

• Analyze the client’s needs, goals and life safety requirements
• Integrate their findings with their knowledge of interior design
• Formulate design concepts that are appropriate, functional, and aesthetic
• Develop and present final recommendations through various presentation media
• Prepare working drawings and specifications for nonload-bearing interior construction, finish materials, and furnishings
• Collaborate with other practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and load-bearing design, as required for regulatory approval
• Prepare and administer bids and contract documents as the client’s agent
• Review and evaluate design solutions during implementation and upon completion

Reasons to Hire an Interior Designer
Professional interior designers produce design solutions focused on meeting human needs for comfort, function and safety. Their designs have a direct and positive effect on human behavior and can influence productivity, comfort level, and even the value one places on his or her immediate environment. They have extensive product knowledge concerning durability, sustainability, maintenance information and appropriateness for the applications, that is necessary to help their clients make educated decisions on the materials being selected for their project. Designers possess background and skill levels that complement those of architects. When individuals in these two professions collaborate, they can bring a broader range of knowledge, creativity and aesthetic styles to their projects. Designers are trained to define identities in our living, work and play environments that reflect both personal tastes and preferences, as well as develop solutions that are appropriate for the end users.

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