Press & Professional Affiliations
Ask The Professional
Bonanza Article August, 2008
When undertaking any project, it’s important to understand the scope of work and the associated budget. The role of the interior designer is to work with you and other professionals such as architects and builders to provide you with the technical, innovative, and current methods to bring beauty and customized effectiveness to fit your needs. The interior designer is the one to help bridge the practical aspects of the building and permit process, with the goals of owner’s vision and architects designs to provide a beautiful end product. This requires years of study and practical experience to bridge this gap effectively. When considering hiring an interior designer, here are some frequently asked questions.
Do I really even need a professional designer?
If you are undertaking a large project such as a remodel or building from the ground up, it would be a good idea to include an Interior Designer. Many projects are built without the guidance and insight that a licensed, professional designer brings to the team, and the end result is often over budget and doesn’t reflect the vision of the owner.
When is a good time to add an interior designer to the project?
Key design and cost decisions are made early on in the process. Including an interior designer in the early meetings with an architect is important so they can work as team to ensure that nothing gets left to chance. There is more to good design than meets the eye. Planning from the start ensures your goals are met.
What questions should I ask when looking for the best interior designer?
- What education and training have you had? It’s important that the person you are hiring has been trained in interior design. A good number of designers have not had professional education and can end up costing you good deal of money without the desired result.
- Are you a registered designer and ASID member? Registration is a state license that tells you the designer you are interviewing is educated and has passed all the state and national tests required to ensure the designer you are looking at is knowledgeable and trained to work with building and codes. ASID is a professional organization for interior designers in the Unites States. Only trained interior designers are allowed into this group, and requires additional certifications for membership. If someone is a professional designer, they should be serious about staying up to date on the changes that impact design decisions and new trends to better support their clients.
- What is your process? You want to make sure that the interior designer has your vision and budget as their main focus for the design process. Make sure they are engaging you to bring out your goals for the project and make those the guides for whatever process they use in working with you, the architect and builder.
If you are looking for a professional design firm who loves to work with remodels and new construction projects, Sjol Designs of Reno-Tahoe is a Nevada Licensed Design firm who specializes in creating beautiful environments personalized for you. Contact owner Kirsten Shull, Registered Designer, ASID, BA Interior Design, to answer questions about your project at 775.853.8641 www.sjoldesigns.com
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AS.I.D. Member, Kirsten T. Shull
ASID is a community of people driven by a common love for design and committed to the belief that interior design, as a service to people, is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
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Registered Interior Designer
Kirsten has passed the NCIDQ examination and the Nevada state examination which meets the qualification to work with the needs and goals for and interior area of a structure designed for a clients use and safety. The preparation and alteration of construction documents include partitions, materials, finishes, furnishings, fixtures and equipment. The designer will work in collaboration with professional architects and engineers to review and evaluate the problems of relating to the design of a project.
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NCIDQ
NCIDQ certificate holders are trained to create spaces that meet local, state and provincial building codes and are the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the needs of the intended user.
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