Last week, we had a class from Kingwood College's Interior Design department stop by our office to see what a real-life interior design studio is like. After speaking with them and answering their questions for over an hour, I got to thinking about all of the things that you don't learn in school...
*You better be a people person to be an interior designer! The relationships we create and the interactions we have with clients, vendors, sales representatives, builders, contractors, trades workers, and many many more are incredibly important and keep our business alive. We make phone calls all day long coordinating, asking questions, requesting information, and sometimes push a few buttons to get some stuff done. Its not a shy profession, that's for sure!
*Its impossible to know everything! What? Are you shocked? I admit, I know a lot of stuff....but I don't know everything. There are so many facets to the interior design world that it is impossible to know everything- or even something- about everything out there. So we rely heavily on our experts. I am constantly asking our drapery creator, tile setters, upholsterer "what do you think?" or "what would you do?" These people are skilled experts at what they do, so we value their opinions...heavily!
*Its not about us! In school, all of the projects are almost entirely about the student. In the real world, it couldn't be more different. Everything we do is entirely about creating something special and perfect....for someone else. We listen, ask questions, search, and put together a functional and aesthetically pleasing space for someone else to live in and enjoy. Its not about what I want or like....its all for you. That's what makes great design!
Posted on
Thu, December 9, 2010
by Cindy Aplanalp
filed under