
The Interior Design Profession
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification defines Interior Design as a multi-faceted profession in which
creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are
functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in
response to and coordinated with the building shell, and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the
project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental
sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research,
analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are
satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.
Interior designers also incorporate Universal design (aka “Barrier-Free” or “Handicapped Accessible”), which is an
approach to the design of products and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible
regardless of age, ability or situation.
Designers may specialize in residential design, commercial (or, contract) design, or both. Residential interior design, or
the design for private homes, may focus upon:
- Design scheme - Furnishings Installation - Professional design team coordination
- Project planning - Project budgeting - Project specification and purchasing
Specialty areas for the home may include:
- Kitchen design - Bath design - Home theater design
- Home office design - Custom product (furnishings, built-in cabinetry, etc.) design
Interior projects, with expertise in universal and sustainable (or, “Environmentally Friendly”) design, may include:
- New construction - Renovation
- Historic renovation - Model homes
Commercial interior design, sometimes referred to as contract design, generally focuses upon the same design
elements as residential interior design projects yet for the installation of interior environments used for commercial,
governmental or education purposes. Commercial designers may specialize in one, or a combination of, the following
multifaceted areas of commercial design:
- Entertainment - Facilities Management - Government/Institutional - Health Care
- Office - Retail/Store Planning - Hospitality / Restaurant
Information © American Society of Interior Designers, Use by permission

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