4 Criteria That Make Your Interior Designer a Professional

Professional is a term we don’t take for granted in the interior design industry. In fact, using the term comes with a great deal of determination and dedication to the industry and the practice of interior design.

*THE PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE*

A Professional Interior Designer is trained in all aspects of the design and construction process including site analysis, space planning, construction documents, interior detailing, building code analysis, finish specification, green building practices, and universally accessible design.
They understand user programming, how to evaluate and recommend furniture, how to harness natural light and supplement artificial, as well as methods for incorporating meaningful artwork and objects.
Professional Interior Designers are educated in design theory and history, research techniques, user analysis, creative problem solving, and colour theory. A professional interior designer considers the elements of an interior holistically, always with human well-being as the end result.
In order to use the title of “Professional” here in Manitoba, an interior designer must achieve a combination of recognized education, work experience, certification and professional membership.

I. EDUCATION

A Professional Interior Designer’s education is CIDA accredited. CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation is a non-profit, independent organization committed to maintaining the quality and standards of the education required for the profession of interior design. Not all interior design education is created alike. CIDA accredited programs are holistic, encompassing the study of history, theory, colour and material study, lighting, codes, standards, environmental considerations and human well-being.

II. EXPERIENCE

After completing their education a Professional Interior Designer must obtain the real-life education that comes with working on design projects, building on the foundation obtained in academia. This on-the-job experience must involve working alongside other experienced professionals in the field to ensure there is opportunity for mentoring and knowledge transfer.

III. CERTIFICATION

When an interior designer has obtained enough real-world work experience, about 2 years of full-time, they are eligible to write their NCIDQ exam. NCIDQ stands for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification and administers the exams that interior designers must pass to ensure they possess the core competencies required for success in the industry.

IV. MEMBERSHIP

When the NCIDQ exam is complete, an interior designer must check one more box, membership in their professional organization. Here in Manitoba, Professional Interior Designers belong to PIDIM, the Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba. The PIDIM ensures interior designers in Manitoba continue their education in order to stay informed about advancements in the profession. They also ensure their interior designers maintain ethics and ethical practices related to the industry.

Meeting all the requirements in order to use the title Professional Interior Designer proves your interior designer is dedicated to all aspects of the profession. With this level of commitment to the craft, you have the peace of mind that your project is in the right hands.