Designing process

When you look at the photos of some designed interior, or you visit it, sometimes it's hard to imagine how many elements it took to combine it in one, organized and pleasant unit. Ability to lead such a process is one of the skills of designer, equal in importance to his aesthetic abilities that determine the success of the project in a visual sense.

Real designers learn each step of the design process working with experienced colleagues, participating in projects from start to finish. "Self-taught" designers learn by trial and error (which can often be painful for designers and clients).

During the education students learn the basics of designing profession - they fully master the key steps of the design process, but have only a general knowledge of many steps that have to be taken before and after the central phase of the designing process.

Students learn how to make and present a project - but that's where their activity stops. Other steps that are a part of the realization of a project, construction details of the project, aquiring equipment, supervision of work, final reception, etc., are not the activities taught in school. Professional designers recognize that their formal education included only a small percentage (less than 20%) of what an actual project demands.

Stages of designing process

Interior design has to be done through a series of logicallly arranged stages and steps. The size and complexity of a project and the designer - client relationship will define the necessary steps. With simpler projects certain steps can be skipped, but bigger projects and projects that include client's approval of the design require bigger systematization and more complex organization of activities.

One of the major differences between "amateur designers" and experienced designers is that amateurs approach projects without any work plan. However, decisions that are not based on clear sequence of actions will lead to revisions, modifications and errors. The final result will often give the impression of a badly organized space.

Some of the usual steps can sometimes be skipped; for example, constructional blueprints can be left out if there is no construct work; collecting offers can be left out if the price of elements that are bought is well known, etc. On the other hand, certain steps can sometimes combine and overlap. In any case, it's useful to consider a list of typical steps and determine what each step implies.

The beginnings of the project

Finding a client

Designers find clients in a variety of ways, including a reputation gained in earlier projects, recommendations of satisfied clients, social contacts, marketing activities, etc.

The most favorable situation is when a potencial client comes with a wish to sign a contract for a project. Many potencial clients contact several designers and ask them to present their methods and examples of previously completed projects. It would be ideal to establish a certain degree of trust between client and designer at the very beginning.

Defining the scope of work

A potencial client must explain to a designer the character of the work he has in mind, and a designer often has to play an active role in helping a client to define his wishes more precisely. Client often has only a vague and indefinite (or even wrong) idea of what the requirements of the projects are and what are the possibilities of realization. Talking at this stage of the project aquires the foundation for the next step...

Defining the schedule and budget

It is important that the designer and client have a good understanding about what is required and what is possible. Clients often have very unrealistic expectations. Generally, it's unreasonable to accept goals that can not be realized, even if it seems necessary to close a deal. If you start a project with client's unrealistic expectations, problems will surface in later stages of the project.

Determining the need for specialized consultants

Larger projects, as well as some smaller, require inclusion of various other experts (lighting experts, acoustics, etc.) to realize the project more successfully. The best is to reach an agreement at the very beginning on how to require those services and how to pay them. The relationship between designer and architect is very important - there must be mutual respect and understanding about responsibilities so that the project would be successfully realized.

Client - designer agreement

Although it's possible to use standard agreement or a simple agreement, it is important to discuss the price, payment deadline and other issues of the project at the very beginning. Without written agreement it's very unreasonable to continue any work on the project.

Planning design work

Planning is the responsibility of the designer, along with all other project participants. Planned deadlines must be set for the beginning and end of each step (activity), keeping in mind client's expectations. To be realistic, plan must include not just the work-time of the designer, but all participants of the project. Diagrams are often the best way of showing the independence between certain steps that overlap or are interdependent, especially for complex projects.

Selecting the place for arranging

This step is not necessary if the project is for an existing place, however, many projects begin before the place is selected. Client who wants to rent/buy new place, buy a house, rent office space can get the help with selecting a place. Selecting a particular place is a necessary step before detailed design work starts.

Creating a project

Creating (obtaining) a plan of the place

Architectural plans can be made available for existing or yet undeveloped place. Since the place often doesn't match the plans due to changes made during construction or later modifications, plans of an existing place must be checked and compared with actual situation.

If the plans of an existing place are not available, designer must measure the area in order to make the necessary drawings. Even small projects involving just a selection of furniture and colors, require accurate planning for making reasonable designer solutions. Photographing the place is also useful because some details will be visusally available without visiting the place.

Talking and collecting necessary data

In case of smaller projects, the necessary information can be obtained from a client in one of the first meetings. With larger projects, information have to collected from many people, heads of departments, managers, employees, users of the place, in order to gain a deeper insight into the requirements.

Development of the preliminary project

Design is an important part of a project. Preliminary project serves as a description of general requirements and list of places to be arranged, with its functions and specific requirements. Preliminary program is the basis for the next step.

Revision of the preliminary project with the client

During the revision of preliminary project, client has an option of adding or leaving out certain information, and making changes and corrections. If the client is a large organization (company) revision can be done by a commitee or a group of people competent in certain parts of the project.

Preparation of the final project

Final version of the project is done after revision. It is the "Bible" and a guide for all design work that follows. Some specialized consultant offer design services independent of project work. Some clients engage such services and come to a designer with complete project in hand.

Obtaining client's approval for the project

Before any further work, confirmation of complete approval must be achieved between the client and the designer in terms of project requirements.

Making a plan for layout of the premises

This step can be completely or partially included in the project. Many projects leave open the exact plan of layout. Layout of the premises can be displayed visaually (schematic) or in the form of tables with surfaces of specific areas.

Making a preliminary design

This is one of the most significant steps in the design process. Designer's creativitiy is shown in efforts to find original solutions, aesthetically acceptable, and providing solutions to the problems defined in the project.

Design process can be seen as a set of demands that require certain elements that will fulfill these demands - like it's done with puzzles, for example, where the elements are placed one by one, searching for the perfect one to get the right picture. Something similar happens when a designer's "brain scans memory" in order to find the elements that meet the demand of a certain problem.

During this process, designer makes numerous sketches of the place he's organizing to see all the alternatives. Those sketches provide an ideal way to analyze the area, placement of walls, doors/openings and position of furniture.

Each sketch, or a group of sketches, which provide a preliminary design, can be seen as an effort to meet all demands of the project. Once it's on paper, suggestion are analyzed and criticized for improvement.

The main thing to know is that there is no "best" or perfect solution to the problem. Many different approaches can result in a very successful solution.

Designer will follow different routes to find a solution comparing different suggestions. In selecting the best solution, designer can include client.

Revision of the prelimirary design with the client

When the sketch should be shown to the client, is a matter of judgement. Some people find it difficult to understand the sketch, and they may be confused by variants presented in sketches. Others enjoy participating in the process of design and suggesting directions that should be followed. In both cases, designer must choose a sketch that will give a clear picture of the approach that the designer plans to undertake.

Corrections and finalizing the preliminary design

At this stage, designer includes client's suggestions given in the revision. This step may involve several rounds of revision, which are the result of ripening ideas, suggestions of colleagues, clients, etc. When the preliminary design reaches the point that satisfies the designer, it's possible to go to the next step.

Obtaining client's approval for the preliminary design

Upon finishing with correstions, designer must recieve final approval for the preliminary plan from the client. At this stage, designer can show to a client preliminary color and material selection. The idea is to get client's consent before proceeding to the next step.

Making a detailed design

Once a design is defined, designer makes a detailed design - schemes, plans, perspectives, 3D models, etc. It is suitable that the schemes are in a form in which it can be easily sent to the client.

Selecting the materials

Some materials are included in the design decision, other need to be chosen between several alternatives. It is recommended to collect samples of the materials.

Selecting the elements that need to be purchased

At this stage, elements like furniture, lighting, accessories, etc. are selected. Pictures and information from catalogues brochures can help with selection.

Selecting color and finishing

Drawings and models can be very useful in analysis and selection of color. In preparation for the presentation, original drawings are used for adding different colors to some design elements for easier selection.

Estimated cost

Once the decision has been made, its impact on the price can also be determined. Preliminary prices can be obtained from the supplier, based on the design that is still susceptible to changes.

Preparation of the final design

Once all the decisions are made in previous steps, final design can be completed.

Preparing the final budget

Estimated price may be corrected and incorporated into the budget that will be shown to the client.

Preparation of presentation

The term "presentation" describes the formal presentation of design suggestion to the client, in order to obtain approval for the same. The presentation can be prepared in different ways, depending on the complexity of the project.

Presenting the design to the client

The material is presented to the client in order to get his approval. During the presentation there are lot of questions and answers, informal discussions to clarify all design elements. Understanding the sketches and schemes can be a problem for some clients, therefore many rely on designer's explanation than on the sketches. This is why the ability of a designer to present all the elements of the project well is very important.

Revision of the budget

This step can be a part of the presentation of the project - the usual question at the end of a presentation is "How much will it cost?" , so it can be a separate topic after accepting offered design.

Obtaining client's approval for the design and budget

VrloIt is very important to get a clear approval regarding the suggested design and budget. Only then it's possible to go to the next step.

Making contruction drawings

Working drawings are used to prepare the final drawing. They include some descriptions, material details, etc. In this stage it is important to coordinate the work of designer, architect and builders, in order to avoid duplication and possible misunderstanding.

Making specifications

Material description, craft work, and other details that are not clear and understandable from the drawings, are given in separate specification.

Obtaining offers

To find the most suitable supplier of equipment and works, potencial suppliers are sent inquiries with sketches and specifications.

When selecting a supplier, you must consider the price, as well as other elements that may affect deadlines and quality of work.

Creating a schedule for construction and installation

After the suppliers are selected, solid schedule of work is made for individual elements. Contract is signed with suppliers after accepting such schedule, confirming the price and work deadline.

Preparation and the purchase order

Many elements of the interior are purchased directly from the manufacturers or their representatives (eg. curtains, wallpaper, furniture, lighting elements, etc.)

Sometimes it includes special and unique furniture, artwork etc.

In cases when the client wants to acquire elements of the interior on his own, the details of the purchase must be agreed with the designer.