High Hopes

I have always been someone who questions the media and its intent. You cannot let the media dictate your life. Interior Design is a clear example in all of this. I have a right, as a DESIGNER in the building industry, to become a licensed and give myself that title through education, experience, and examination. This title is what gives me the right as a DESIGNER to sign and seal my own construction documents. There is a large gray area over the digression of designer and decorator, and I know that I have to make sure that I do something about this situation. I hope to make some kind of difference in the next five years, but if it takes longer I will not stop. I’ve always known that I needed to be in an industry that helps the public, and I understand that interior design does such. For years architects have been implementing code into buildings. I do that, but I also research on a lot more things that affect the life quality of humans in interior spaces. Registered Interior Designers understand that our industry is growing in fabrication constantly, that new materials can be used for different applications and how those applications affect the public. We also research on psychological concepts and solve them through design in interior spaces. We are here to help, not harm, but not everyone thinks of us as professionals. They believe we are merely an occupation. Have you ever been in a situation where you have complete intent to help society, but they wouldn't let you? I have that situation and I feel as though not many do.

This Is Not a "Do It Yourself" Kind of Thing

I won't lie, I grew up watching HGTV, but I always understood that the building industry never had an easy job. I just wish more understood that what I do can't happen overnight, and I will explain why. The world has placed a stamp on the profession "interior design" that it’s something anyone can do. The problem being is that residential and commercial interior design is much different. Residential design has the clientele of an average family, probably four to six people it must constantly accommodate, maybe a few more or less depending on the circumstance. A commercial space on the other hand is a much different concept. In commercial design one has to think about every single person that will accommodate that space over time. We also constantly think about the state of all materials over time and make evaluations based on certain factors to see its worth for an entire life cycle. The ideas of sustainability are kept in mind, implementing solutions such as water saving plumbing fixtures and light harvesting, and we even draw up construction documents that are signed and sealed by me as a designer. This is just scraping the surface of all the ideas and concepts and solutions that go into commercial interior design.  The building industry is nothing but regulations and requirements, and this is why I am different than the “designers” found on HGTV and other “Do It Yourself” programs. I, one day, will become licensed. I will have the education, experience, and examination to make sure that I am successful in my industry. I will make sure that I take my profession serious, to make a space as efficient as possible on more than one level. All of my spaces will be efficient in human health, safety, and energy conservation. All of my designs and construction documents will be done so that no one should question my integrity as a designer.