Internship: Week 5 (Client Site Visit)

I just finished the fifth week of my internship. It has been great! I really look forward to going to work every day which makes me feel like I really belong in this profession.

I have been asked to do a lot of work but I cannot help but want to be in the shop doing more hands on work. I mentioned this to Kristi and hoped one day soon they would let me. Last week we had two extremely large commercial projects having to be completed in a short amount of time. Matt, the shop supervisor and fabricator asked me if I would take the plans he had and put them into a CAD based program for him to print out a template. He uses this template to place over the stone slab in order to cut it correctly to size. Of course I was extremely nervous because it is not like if I mess up the material is cheap and can be easily replaced. I was very careful and as precise as I could be.

It was nice to know that they would trust me to do this type of work for them. They did have to look over what I had done before making the template, but knowing how busy they were, and how they gave me the chance to help, really meant a lot to me.

So that was the big learning experience for my 4th week but this week it was a site visit.

BOY OH BOY is it difficult to talk with people who do not even know what they are talking about or understand anything you are saying. I accompanied Mrs. Pam, the owner, on a site visit to a house in Bay. St. Louis. It was a remodel of a cottage style house. The flooring was beautiful, the walls and trim were beautiful but..... why ruin a good thing having people who do not fully understand what they are doing or what you want or need remodel your kitchen. Although I have a lot of faith in people and hope that they are good people, cometimes I just have to admit to myself that not everyone has your best interest in mind.

Once everyone at the job site, appliance representatives, cabinetry installers, contractors, etc. had their time with the client, it was our turn. We spoke with her about the specific types of materials she thought about using and the reasons for her choosing those materials. We decided that it would be best for her to come back to the showroom to look at all the different options rather than try to explain them.

Once at the showroom, Kristi and I took over. Kristi pulled samples for us to look at when we got back from the job site. The client kept turning to me to ask me my opinion. She kept saying "well you are in school and know way more than I do and you have also been to my house and know what I am looking for." Surprisingly, she also told me that she trusted me. It may be small words to her but they are so much bigger to me. I like knowing that I have earned the trust of a client.

Well enough talk about the client visit. All in all, these last few weeks have made up the biggest learning experience I have ever had and I cannot wait to learn even more in my last three weeks with them.

Interior Design Legislation

Every state is given the power to regulate professions that affect the safety, health and welfare of the public. Therefore, in order to keep the public safe and healthy, there are regulations setting a minimum competency level of the skills required to safely practice the profession. The results of these regulations are seen as either a Title Act or a Practice Act, whichever one the state decided to adopt.

Let’s talk about the differences between the two Acts since it seems a little confusing. Although each state has their own form of regulatory act, here are some characteristics that differ between the two:

Title Acts

-          A Title Act regulates the use of a title such as “licensed interior designer” or “registered interior designer”

-          They do not require individuals to be “licensed” to practice interior design

·         You can provide interior design services as long as you do not use the regulated title, or, “licensed interior designer”

-          With a title act, a customer who is looking to hire someone for interior design work can easily identify those who have met the minimum level of professional qualifications and feel confident in who they are working with.

Practice Acts

-          Regulates who may call themselves interior designers

-          Require those practicing interior design to become licensed

·         Those practicing under the direct supervision of a licensed interior design, such as people new to the profession, are not required to be licensed allowing them to acquire the years of experience and skills needed to become licensed.

-          There are some states with practice laws that say if you only practice residential design than you do not need to be licensed

·         Although the previous statement is true, since more states are deciding to adopt residential codes and laws requiring a professional who is state-registered for any work demanding code-compliance, more residential designers will need to become registered or licensed.

What do ALL states require in order for someone to become a licensed or registered interior designer?

Passage of the NCIDQ exam

             A combination of EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE usually totaling 6 years

What do some states require?

                A CODE EXAM, one that is specific to their state of professional practice

What do half of the states require?

                CEU’s, or, Continuing Education Units, for renewal of the license or registration.

WHAT CAN WE DO!?

As students or recent graduates, we can:

1.       LISTEN! Soak up as much knowledge as possible from those who are experienced interior designers or those who have gained experience from working in the profession for a long time.

2.       STUDY! Study for the NCIDQ  and take it when you are eligible

3.       LOCATION! Before you decide which state you will be working in, whether it be in the current state you live in or one farther away, make sure you are aware of what the laws are and if you meet the requirements to register in that state.

4.       INVOLVEMENT! Get involved with the local ASID chapter or any other professional interior design association.

5.       NETWORK! Socialize and become more familiar with your surroundings and the people who are involved in the profession in your community or any nearby areas. It is always nice to be in a new place or profession and not feel so alone. Get out there and have a good time getting to know how everything works and how important communication is in professional situations.

Now some of these may not be the easiest to fulfill but the key is to ALWAYS HAVE FAITH IN YOUSELF, FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE and NEVER GIVE UP no matter what anyone says!

OPPOSITION

Those who strongly oppose the use of Title Acts and Practice Acts in the interior design profession include the AIA (American Institute of Architects), NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards), and NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association

AIA Views

The official policy of AIA regarding interior design legislation states that its board recognizes the value of interior designers but doesn’t feel there is justification to support changing existing state licensing laws. “The AIA opposes practice or title regulation of individuals or groups other than architects and engineers,” states the organization’s Architectural Practice and Title Regulations Policy Statement. (IIDA Website)

Interior designers are quick to respond to this perspective by pointing out the collaborative nature of the profession. Interior designers frequently work alongside and lead other regulated professionals. It only makes sense for the interior design component to be regulated as well. “In a world where partnering of professional teams abound,” Voorhees says, “It’s time to embrace the combination of our expertise, to use our collective ideas and energy in providing the best spaces for the public.” (IIDA Website)

I could copy everything from this specific website, IIDA, because it has so much information relating to the importance of interior design as well as other professions related to design… but I won’t do that. But if I were you I would check it out. You won’t regret it.

NKBA Views

It is the belief of the NKBA that these laws do nothing to further the protection of public health, safety, and welfare as there is no showing whatsoever that a continued failure to regulate the design community causes harm to the public, which is not adequately protected by a state's architectural and engineering controls and existing building codes and regulations. Furthermore, such laws lead to added governmental bureaucracy and increased consumer confusion about the capabilities of our members and the distinctive field of kitchen and bath design. (NKBA Website)

Florida’s Legislation Issue

Now onto a specific state’s issue that arose not too long ago.

Florida’s interior design requirements:

1.       Interior Design Degree

2.       $1,000 NCIDQ exam

3.       4 year apprenticeship under a state licensed interior designer

It is said that the reason for the strict law is to aid in the safety, health and welfare of the public but it has been admitted that there is no evidence or documentation stating there has ever been a problem with someone who has designed a space and was not a registered interior designer.

“The facts in this case couldn’t be clearer: There isn’t a shred of evidence that Florida’s interior design law does anything but protect licensed interior designers from honest competition,” said Clark Neily, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, a national public interest law firm challenging the Florida law in federal court. “This ruling sets a dangerous precedent, not just for interior designers, but for workers in all creative occupations.”

Results that follow the abuse of occupational licensing include:

-          High priced items and materials due to the low amount of competition

-          Limited choices for the public to choose from

-          Exclusion of minorities and older mid-career switchers from working in the professio

Ruling

The ruling stated that, even though there was no real evidence of those who design without a license interfering with the safety and health of the public, the law still stands that you must go through the specific steps to be able to practice interior design in the state of Florida.

In May of 2009, the Institute for Justice joined with three interior designers and the National Federation of Independent Business to challenge Florida’s interior design law in federal court, arguing that the law censors substantial amounts of free speech and unreasonably interferes with people’s ability to earn an honest living. (IJ Website)

The Institute for Justice plans to appeal the ruling. (IJ Website)

References Provided By:

http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/practice-and-title-makes-perfect

http://www.nkba.org/Learn/Professionals/News/Legislation.aspx

http://www.ij.org/despite-no-evidence-federal-court-upholds-florida-law-that-puts-interior-designers-out-of-business-2

How Can Interior Design Influence or Change Globalization

Understanding of Other Cultures

-          Interior Design can help people to understand and remind them that, although everyone is different, they are all after the same purpose. When designing a house you want it to convey who you are and your taste. You are not designing for anyone else. This is true in all countries when people decide to redo their house or build a house. Relating two cultures who think they are completely different , although in most ways they are, is very helpful when trying to understand someone else’s culture and beleifs.

-          Designers are taught about different cultures and the traditions each of these cultures have whether it be related to design or not. I think a large portion of today’s society has a difficult time accepting others.

For instance, people may question why those who live in another country do things a certain way or the ‘wrong way’. Who is to say it is wrong? YOU?

I’m going to put it in large bold words for everyone to see. RESPECT

Everyone, no matter how ugly or imperfect you may think something is, to someone else it may be just the opposite. And everyone should ask themselves, “Does it physically hurt me to see someone else choose to design their house this way…?” NO IT DOES NOT! 

Have respect for someone else’s ethnicity and lifestyle and the beliefs’ and traditions that they uphold. There are a lot you and I can learn from other people.  

Okay so we dwindled off the path of globalization so how about we relate all of this back to it. Globalization is about spreading ideas and working together to create a more connected society. What better way than learning about other cultures and, although we all are very different, we are also all alike in many ways.

Being More in Tune with the Media and Current Situations

The Interior Design profession should be up to date on the social, political, and, probably most of all, economic changes which will influence the market. Designers need to be sensitive to the times and the way people live.

For example, in present day times there is not always a for sure about anything. Can people afford to go out to eat like they always have? Can they afford gas if they are driving long distances to work? Are vacations an option for everyone at this time?

I think Interior Design is a great business and with the help of the media and certain sources such as books and the internet, designers are able to see the way people are living and the way people cannot afford to live. A designer goes to school to be able to take what a client wants and needs and create a beautiful space with those ideas. So, once a designer is educated, just like they were educated in school, they should be able to adjust how they design and choose materials based on the wants and needs of the client no matter how difficult it may be.

Of course you cannot have a client who wants a kitchen with soapstone countertops with a budget of $500.00 but when or if you do, you take these ideas, no matter how crazy they may be, and choose other similar options that serve the same purpose, are also very durable, but have a more forgiving price tag.

There are many other ways the interior design profession can influence globalization such as keeping up with popular trends, not only in this country but everyone country.

So, in short, there are positives and negatives to globalization, but, since the entire world is experiencing it and it seems as though that is the direction everything is going, I think we should take the positivity and roll with it. Let’s leave the negativity behind.

 There is no sense in bottling up all of this creativity and the overwhelming number of design ideas we have so how about we show the world what we can do!!

Globalization

What is Globalization?

Globalization refers to the process of increasing the connectivity and interdependence of the world’s markets and businesses. (Investor Words- Globalization)

Main Factor in Globalization

Communication

Globalization has greatly affected communication through the use of long distance calling, cell phones, internet, email, video chat (skype, etc.) and many others.

                Letter vs. Email

Of course anyone can still use the old fashioned written or typed letter to be sent by mail but now-a-days this method is used mainly for communications between family and friends because it is not necessarily in a rush to be sent or received. Emailing is a much quicker form of communicating but not as personal as paper mail which seems perfect for the business world. Most businesses prefer email because of the rapid response and it is considered professional if the emails are written appropriately.

Travel

New technology has revolutionized the design world and opened up easy communication for designers working on projects abroad so that they are no longer constrained by borders. (31, Jenny Gibbs)

Even though globalization has made traveling to different parts of the world easier, with other forms of technology increasing, it is becoming just as easy to work for a business or on a project from another country. So with the ease of travel and the numerous ways of communicating, it is far less difficult to conduct business internationally.

                Local vs. International

As in most professions, there are a number of people who possess critical skills that companies need. Sometimes these people are not conveniently located in the same town as the company or business. In the design industry, in a situation like this, the person needed for the job may be asked to work at the location forcing him to move to the town, or, seeming how the industry has become so international, it may be possible to work from another location.

Flexibility

One of the greatest characteristics of interior design is its flexibility. Throughout the world there are thousands or even millions of various styles and materials used in a variety of different ways and applications yet the fundamental design skills always apply. (31, Jenny Gibbs) It almost seems as if the basic principles of interior design serve as a universal language providing everyone a way to communicate with each other.

Debate

There are debates discussing the positive and negative impacts of globalization on the design industry so how about we go over a couple starting with the positives.

Positives:

-          Increases opportunities for almost everyone. These opportunities result in competition, making production more efficient. It also provides companies with the best choice of employees. Between the efficiency of production and finely selected employees, a successful business can be made.  

-          There are two pro-globalization organizations, the World Trade Organization and the World Economic Forum. The World Trade Organization puts together a set of rules to manage global trade and capital flows through the process of member agreement and to supervise their member countries to ensure that everyone is following the rules.

Negatives:

-          The anti- globalization group argues that certain groups of people who are deprived in terms of resources are not currently capable of functioning within the increased competitive pressure that will be brought about by allowing their economies to be more connected to the rest of the world. (Investor Words- Globalization)

Stand Up For What you Believe

There are cases where people, businesses, civilizations, or countries are feeling threatened and/or belittled by others who are becoming larger and ‘spreading their wings’ in a since. Although I hate to see those who are less likely to shout above the crowd and stand up for themselves to suffer, no one can be afraid to fight for what they want and how they want to live no matter how difficult it may be for someone.

Trust me, I know this first hand. I am an ‘S’ and proud of it but it can be challenging at times. Now most of you think I’m crazy and have no idea what I mean when I say ‘S’, and basically it just describes someone who is more reserved than others.

So if there are countries who are feeling left behind because everyone else is stepping up and developing into a more advanced society, they should do something about it not expect everyone to stop what they are doing because they feel uncomfortable.

Someone very wise once told me,

                “If you diminish yourself and your abilities to make someone else feel better, you are hurting both yourself and the other person. If you strive to be your best, those who feel less about themselves will have some kind of motivation and someone to look up to if they want to do better for themselves.”

 

References Provided By:

Interior Design, Jenny Gibbs, Laurence King Publishing, Ltd. 2005
http://www.investorwords.com/2182/globalization.html

Evidence- Based Design in Child Care Facilities

Today's blog will focus on the use of Evidence-Based Design when designing a Community Child Care Facility. 

The younger generation(s) are very important to the future of society and should be treated as so.

There are many ways to improve child care environments, including Evidence-Based Design, whether it includes day care facilities, preschools, elementary schools, or other forms of educational buildings/spaces.

I don’t know about anyone else but when I have children, I want to know they are getting the best out of every learning experience, especially school. I am all for improving the qualities and characteristics of buildings contributing to the education, whether school related or socially related, of my children as well as everyone elses.

If you think about it, when you get older, into your elderly years, most likely you will be visiting the doctor more frequently and taking more types of medication than you did in your younger years.

And WHO do you think is going to be the one to perform your check-ups, x-rays, and, all though I hope not, surgeries? Hopefully everyone can answer this question fairly easily. Those same people you call children as of right now, you will also be calling your doctors 20 or 30 years from now.

In community child care facilities, which are mostly referred to as some type of daycare, it is critical for them to be able to support all of the developing needs of each child. These types of facilities are not to be confused with preschools.

Unlike preschools, community child care facilities provide services such as:

-          care for children as young as 5-6 weeks and up until the age of 5

-          hours of availability from the 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on weekdays

-          Some programs offer hours of availability through the evenings and on weekends

The reason these three points are so crucial to Evidence-Based Design is because, for the average person who has a job and in many cases do not have someone to watch their children while they are away, these very young children could easily spend 10 hours a day, 5 days a week in a community child care environment.

That is more time than older children spend in school. It also may very well be more time than the children spend at home.

Having to spend so much time at the community child care facility, children should experience learning development on many different levels including intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. It should feel more like a home away from home. I KNOW no one wants their child to be dropped off at daycare, told to play with toys all day, take a nap whenever they get tired, and eat junk food whenever they want.

YES! Of course your child will love it but it is far from the best care that can and should be given to a child.

Community Child Care Facilities should offer opportunities for:

-          Social Interaction

-          Personal Hygiene

-          Skill and knowledge development  

-          Play and exploration

-          Eating

-          Sleep and relaxation

Some specific design issues include:

-          Scale

-          Complexity

-          Adjacencies and Zones

-          Size of Space

-          Legibility

-          Adult Spaces

Okay, so all of these issues are pretty straight forward, but how about we touch on a couple points that can improve scale just as an example:

Scale: If the physical environment is scaled appropriately when specifically designed for the child’s age and ability, they will be able to gain a mastery over the environment.

-          Place play items within children’s reach so they can retrieve and store items on their own

-          Put sink faucets and door handles within the preschool child’s reach

-          Windows at a child’s height will allow them to view the outdoors.

-          Risers placed on the floor for infants to climb on to improve motor development

-          Give older children easy access to their own cubby and space to practice dressing and undressing

-          Should also contain some scale variation so the children can master increasing skill levels (this is also very important because at home, nothing is child-scaled)

Children's Height Book Display



Children's Height Sink

Children's Height

Studies have been done verifying that these changes have greatly improved social, motor, and intellectual skills among children attending community child care facilities. An Evidence-Based Design gives designers the opportunity to plan and create improved designs based on the studies, research and data provided.

References Provided By:

- Implications

  Vol. 06 Issue 1

  http://www.informedesign.org/_news/jan_v06r-p.pdf

- Google Images

Evidence-Based Design

What is Evidence-Based Design you may ask?

The basic definition of Evidence Based Design can be defined as design decisions made regarding a physical space based on prior studies, research, and data.

Two Spaces that use Evidence Based Design the Most Include:

1.      Healthcare facilities

2.      Schools

       Others spaces include:

-          Shopping/retail facilities such as malls, restaurants, prisons, museums, offices, and even residences.

The list is endless because Evidence Based Design can be used in any type of design situation. “There is no single area of design that could not benefit from this type of knowledge and information,” says Amy Lopez, IIDA, AAHID, Principal in Charge of Marketing and Business Development, WHR Architects, Houston.

Reasons for using Evidence Based Design:

In healthcare environments it could:

-         speed up the recovery process

-         help patients have a more enjoyable and comfortable stay in what is usually a stark, depressing environment

-         help them to stay more positive

-         improve their mood

Evidence-Based Design fits in perfectly with the health care industry because, just like in health care, many studies, lots of research and regulated laws and standards from the government are at the heart of the culture.

In Schools it could improve:

-          productivity

-          behavior

-          safety, and many others

A 2009 study performed by Herman Miller showed that the adaptability of classrooms — such as seating, furniture and operable windows — actually heightened the learning experience. -Greg Zimmerman

“We have to realize that in order to better understand how design affects us, we have to develop exact measures of built form and space,” says John Peponis, professor in the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “This is so that we can be as precise about ‘design causes’ as we want to be about ‘functional effects.’”

References provided by:

Evidence-Based Design: From Health Care to Other Buildings?

By Greg Zimmerman, Executive Editor, November 2009

www.facilitiesnet.com/green/article/Evidence-Based-Design-From-Health-Care-To-Other-Buildings--11282#

Ageing in Place

“Ageing in Place”- means to stay in one’s current home as opposed to relocating to a new home or facility such as a retirement home, senior community, or care facility.

Despite a number of problems people may have to face, it is still the trend for people to stay in the house they are currently living in or “Age in Place”.

This is a great opportunity for Interior Designers to be able to show how important interior design is by helping those who choose to remain in their current house. It is a win, win situation. Those who need help are receiving that help from the designers and the designers will be seen as significant figures to those who may have thought otherwise.

Between now and 2019, the 75 million baby boomers will turn 55, an age at which they are likely caring for an elderly relative and/or seriously planning for their retirement.

At 2025, baby boomers will comprise about 25 percent of the population, ranging in age from 61 to 79. – ASID “Ageing in Place”

Basically, all of these numbers mean that the need for universal design will become more necessary in homes because the number of those gradually reaching the elderly stage will become higher and studies show the majority of them plan on staying in their home. The large number of people will need their homes to be designed to fit either their needs or the needs of one of their relatives.

Personally, I would like to plan now for the future. If one of my parents or grandparents become ill or needed special care or even just came to visit, I would want my house to be able to accommodate for them without them feeling like they are imposing. And, one day, I will also be an elderly woman so planning now for my future needs is also important.

Although these things may be very far into the future, I do not recall anyone ever telling me that planning ahead was a bad decision. That is because IT NEVER IS!   

ASID "Ageing in Place Study" results:

Will people stay in their homes as they age?

Why would they stay?

Design and layout factors influencing the decision to stay:

Why they will not stay?

Ageing concerns:

 
Ways to make a home age friendly:

The likeliness of a parent or elderly relative living with you in the future:

Ageing in Place is an opportunity for those who wish to continue to live in their current house to stay their but have Interior Designers make or suggest the necessary changes that would make them feel even more comfortable as they grow older.

Enjoying the comfort of one's home seems like the ideal way to live life!


References provided by:
ASID "Ageing in Place"
Ageing and the Impact of Interior Design

Universal Design

“Pat Rowen, ASID, CAPS, has a picture in her office that shows a baby crawling, a little boy playing, a teenager on crutches, a businessman with groceries, an elderly person in a walker and a person in a wheelchair. It reminds her to think of all the stages of life.” -Jenny S. Rebholz

Universal Design is a way of applying design principles for all types of people despite their age, size, ability/disability, health, etc. in any stage of their life.

Ways to incorporate Universal Design:

Kitchen

· The dishwasher can be raised off the floor to keep from having to bend down

· Range controls are positioned at the front for ease of access

· Microwave placed under the counter or at eye-level for easy access

· Easy to open cabinet hardware

· Roll-out shelves

· Handle Faucet

Bathroom

· Lever style doors and faucets as opposed to knobs

· Comfort height toilet

· Grab bars (next to toilet, tub and shower)

· Slide-on toilet paper dispenser

· Hand-held shower

· Shower seat

· No- threshold shower

Other Spaces

· Front load washer and dryer with automatic shut-off controls

· Increased lighting and ventilation

· Mechanical door closures throughout the house

Whether most people want to admit it or not, everyone goes through the same stages in life. At some point, each one of us will be in the elderly stage. It is sometimes difficult for people to imagine themselves that way and even more difficult to convince them that planning for the future is the best thing to do.

I know what many of you are thinking. Why do we need to change everything right now? Why can we not wait till that day comes when we actually need the changes to be done?

But that is exactly my point. Why would you wait until the time that you need it when chances are you will have difficulty functioning well in your own house up until all of these changes are met. It may take a lot longer than you think to make these changes, however, if you would have changed them back then, you would be able to function just as you did ten or twenty years ago.

Who Knows! You may not even be able to notice that you are aging by how easily you function in your everyday life. Which will make you feel YOUNGER!

Someone very wise once told me, If you tell yourself you are, for example, going to succeed, than you will but if you doubt yourself and expect to fail, than you will.

Although this is a little bit of a different situation, I still think it very much relates to it.

If you feel as though you are just as young as you were ten years ago and you tell yourself you are, then so be it. You will feel young because you tell yourself you are young.

References provided by:

ASID

Jenny S. Rebholz, Allied member ASID

More information regarding Universal Design can be found at:

http://www.asid.org/NR/rdonlyres/FB89A310-877E-438A-BD1A-864A7D7B6BA4/0/IndustryPartnerDirectoryUniversalDesignArticle.pdf

Why Interior Design Matters- Video

To be able to better understand what Interior Design really is and why it matters,
Click the link below:

Winner of the Interior Design Video Competition: Radford University