Designing to Fit the Vision is a copyrighted series of articles about Interior Design. - Business Design Services

It Takes More Than Just A Good Design!

10/26/2016

A whole lot more. Your Interior Design team is good at what they do – or you would not have chosen them to help you realize your interior environment design vision. But, having the credentials, training, experience and expertise only goes as far as it goes! On the other side of the coin, your team may be intrigued by your proposed project, but over and above that, you need mutual respect, and you need to want to work together!

To make your Interior Design project successful in all aspect and for all concerned there must be compatibility and comfortable, balanced relationships throughout. The ability to work comfortably with your talented team makes all the difference! The process of first understanding the design concept - the vision - and then, interpreting it into the site in question requires good communication, compatible perceptions and a commitment to positive clarification.

If relationships get touchy, it’s better to sit on the hot seat and clear the air, than risk contaminating your Interior Design project that’s underway!

OK! Got It!

10/26/2016

It’s amazing how resistant many small businesses are to documentation! Not the B-I-G stuff, the small stuff! Most businesspersons are quite comfortable with the “paperwork” of Contracts, Permits, Licensing, Insurance and the likes. It’s those small pieces of business communication (that keep the project’s ongoing, daily path clean and accountable) that seem to get under the skin, and feel like someone is pushing the envelope too far.

We have once or twice previously discussed “hard copy document communication” and its importance, in general. However, with the progress and escalation in speed-lane innovations of electronic communication, some negative patterns have come along, too. Some simple “cover-your-butt” procedures are perceived (by some) to be expendable, unnecessary and a waste of time; and, some are. That is, right up until someone insists they got an email or a text or a voice mail that will prove their argument...if only they could remember if and where they filed it. (Or, accidentally deleted?)

Like a calm, lighted hallway invites you in, conscientious detail management invites a smooth project path.

Subliminal Value Added

10/26/2016

There is a parallel universe happening from the moment your Interior Design team starts with you on the path to your completed Interior Design project. It has no substance, no tactile reality and it would be difficult to put a market price on it. Yet it is one of the most powerful aspects – you could say forces – responsible for an installation that is successful – after the fact!

As you and your team move through the steps and stages of your Interior design project, your Interior designer carries along a separate and important consideration that will markedly influence those who will be moving through the finished environment.

You will want your environment to send subtle, subliminal messages of quality, beauty and function – without you saying a word!

Time and Timing

10/15/2016

Theories abound concerning the nature, substance or the very existence of time -- finite or infinite! Dr. Stephen Hawking has speculated for a lifetime about the phenomenon. Far be it for me to compete!

However, in the simplistic context of business and project delivery, time is a working factor that is one of the very basic, critical tools we must consider.

If there is a single powerful factor that impacts and drives a design project of any size, it is time and timing. We have devised all sorts of secondary tools to keep us on track, on schedule, on point – on time.

Once in motion, the rhythms of your project take on a momentum that demands close monitoring of time and timing.

Dueling Clients!

10/15/2016

Few situations are more challenging for your design team than a war among the client principals! When there is an on-going duel concerning concepts, preferences and decisions, your design team inherits an assortment of untenable choices!

The primary role of your professional team is to take your concept vision, develop it into a workable design that you can approve, then guide and assist you through the detailed process of production. This is very difficult to execute in a war zone peopled with partners, spouses or corporate associates from an organizational chart, who want it their way or no way.

With many, many details come many decisions – and many opportunities for conflicting opinions. Your designer will help with acceptable solutions.

Loving The Ugly Duckling

10/15/2016

Many projects present their design teams with some ugly situations! It can range from a client’s passionate desire to “preserve” some unmanageable features in an old, tired building, to unchangeable architectural limitations such as odd angles, extra-high ceilings and impossibly narrow aspects.

Designers like the challenge of such situations. In pursuit of solutions, we tap into our ingenuity, skills, talent and knowledge of everything available thru construction modification to innovative use of materials, supplies and “FFE’ – furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Drapery treatment conceals an unattractive parking lot, while an ingenious seating arrangement breaks down the corridor effect in this hotel between lobby and restaurant, and encourages intimate gatherings.

Old Buildings and New Headaches!

10/15/2016

Understanding the foibles of old buildings (and the surprises that can be just one wall-covering-layer away!) comes from both experience and research. Your design team must dig into the history of the specific building, and often discovers that original construction plans and information may be long lost. Community libraries and museums may have historic photos where that old building appears (in its youth); and, a plea to the local population might produce some pictures as well.

When old buildings have been used and re-used over many years in a variety of ways, it is sometimes difficult to determine the original contours, facades and finishes.

The 1930’s gas station building pictured here had experienced many evolutions and business venue tenants since its old life of pumping gas and before its present personality bloomed.

Basic Black With Pearls!

10/13/2016

Color is the key to the overall coordination of your interior design project. Early in your project’s action plan, your designer will work with you in making important decisions regarding color. In order to set the base for all future coordination, the color scheme must meet definite criteria.

Will your color palette provide harmonious options in a variety of materials? Will those, in turn, permit a wide range of choices for accessorizing? Will your color scheme endure?

Color is the key. Color must be relative to what it is surrounded by, and must establish and reinforce the mood desired by the client for their environment – not the reverse. It follows that the desired mood will help determine textures as well as colors.

Within a very limited space environment, color treatment is the valuable agent for interest and emphasis.

Understanding Your Designer’s Priorities!

10/13/2016

The most important reason you decided to develop your project with a professional designer was your confidence in their experience, expertise, and track record. You needed to know that your vision and your money would be treated with equal respect, and that you could trust their judgment, at times over your own.

For that belief system to prove worthy of your confidence, it is very important to also understand the reasons and rationales for how your designer will prioritize each step on the project path.

Every aspect of the project has a specific place and role. At times it may seem that something is being considered and prioritized in an odd sequence. For instance, what you may think can wait until a later point, your designer may bring into focus right now.

Natural light moves over this passage environment, enhancing spacial and corridor perspectives, and changing as the time of day changes.

Now Things Are On The Move

10/13/2016

It’s exciting to know that the groundwork, homework and good agreements have been completed, and you and your designer are ready to get your project underway.

With your record-keeping tools in place, with a solid mutual commitment to conscientious communication and documentation, and with your end vision always in mind, the fun part can now begin!

A good place to start, if your project involves existing construction, is the “before” photos. Not only will you enjoy comparing them to the “after” photos at a future date, but you will have a critical record of the pre-existing conditions.

You and your designer should collaborate in the photo shoot activity because his or her experience in capturing specific and relevant details is valuable. The before photos will also be useful in briefing sub-contractors about the challenges that exist in their aspect of your project. The pictures are one part of the total map of the work at hand.

Usually, your designer will either secure pre-existing construction and/or architectural plans, or will develop for you any necessary plans the project requires. If you are not familiar with reading architectural plans, your designer will help you learn how to read them comprehensively.

A Retail environment must enhance its product, and entice its customers. Can you smell the coffee?

Damage Control Is Expensive

10/13/2016

Correctly handling all documentation that secures the integrity of your project is more important than hurrying through the details just to get things going. Hurry-up can be an expensive enemy of accuracy and efficiency.

You have all heard about the fine print, those phrases and stipulations in contracts that contain all the details, and that sometimes seem endless and tedious. In your design services contract that fine print is really your friend; it’s there to make sure you and your professional designer are in agreement, have asked and answered all questions on both sides of the matter, and are clear and confident about the end result.

Personal Retail environments should wear their colors and tones harmoniously with customer trends in mind

The Paperwork

10/13/2016

You are excited about your project and you are ready to get started! All the important decisions have been made and you have decided to work with a Professional Designer.

It’s now time to focus on that relationship, clarify your financial intentions, define the scope, translate those understandings into the appropriate paper work, get it under signature, and begin.

What is the “appropriate paper work” for a design project? What does the operational package look like that will help your project move efficiently, stay on track, adhere to budgeting projections, guard against misunderstandings, avoid mistakes, and insure a good working relationship?

Critical medical or business decisions need a peaceful and efficient environment. Warm wood tones, natural light and a view that soothes make this private office ideal for clear strategic thinking.

First, Let’s Look The Dragon In The Face

10/13/2016

Elegant drama welcomes their corporate associates and transfers a message of warmth and accomplishment; just what the client wanted to convey for this reception environment.

Once the decision to hire a professional interior designer is behind you, with the contract signed and in the drawer, it is time to refine and reprioritize your goals, organize your personal resources and just begin.

First, let’s look the dragon in the face. Regardless of our financial means, there never seems to be enough money. It can help reduce stress around funding if we consider “budget” a verb, and keep that budgeting in mind every step and decision of the way. Remember that some of the elements that can negatively impact the budgeting process are “hurry-up,” untested short cuts, bargains that aren’t a bargain in the long run, and the wrong kind of help – no matter how well meaning it is. So, take a deep breath and decide that your adventure will be great.

Depending on the scope and complexity of your project, your designer will probably have a long list of questions needing answers only you can provide. In the beginning there will be a lot of conversation not unlike those preliminary discussions, except these answers must be carefully thought out and are critical to the project’s integrity. Take your time. Ask your own questions and relate it all to the anticipated end vision.

Above all, be honest including the times when you may disagree and question a suggestion or advice from your designer. Good design takes time, and your designer is not a mind reader.

Design concepts need to be flexible so that the project costs and the vision can work in harmony and not in opposition to each other. Most of all don’t panic. It’s your designer’s job to help you find the appropriate balance.

Field trips with your designer can be very helpful and informative. They provide an opportunity to get to know your designer better and can work to improve communication between you. When field trips are not possible, you can collect and present photographs of elements from a completed project that you like, or even take your designer to see a specific installation or various elements that you really like. The internet is a vast resource for ideas.

Organize your design preferences in an “idea book”. This can be a valuable tool to keep both you and your designer on track to achieve your vision. These images may not exactly represent what you have in mind, but can provide a relevant jumping-off place for the creative process. And remember, you won’t find exactly what you want because it hasn’t been designed for you, yet.

Spend some time thinking about the “character” of your project. If it’s a commercial project, what impression do you want to convey to your client or customer? If it’s a residence, what feeling are you trying to achieve for your home?

Keep notes of what comes up for you. The more information and detail you can capture, the more helpful it will be. This process will bring the project alive and energize you.

Design should be exciting and fun. The more organized and focused you are the easier it will be for your designer to translate your vision into reality.

Vision To Reality Can Be Daunting

10/13/2016

Let’s say you have a clear vision in mind concerning a commercial or residential design project. It could be completely new construction, a remodel, an addition or simply the refreshment of an existing environment with which you are satisfied. You have consulted several trusted associates about feasibility and practicality, and are excited to get going.

You have speculated about how to move ahead, you have looked at financing, and you have even debated the degree of outside help you actually want, could afford, or need. Could you manage it alone? How would you start? Do you know where to begin?

In any retail installation, the promoted product must touch the consumers' comfort zones for aesthetics, practicality and cost, while also fulfilling the purveyors’ vision.

Your Critical Path: Connecting The Dots!

10/10/2016

Some things can’t be overstated. Understanding the importance of developing a reliable Critical Path for your Project is one of them.

First, it’s important to know both the obvious and the subtle differences between a simple time line and the critical path on which it travels. It is all about keeping track of details, interfaces, important junctions and efficiency – to name just four factors.

The “timeline” of your project is quite simply the path from beginning to completion; the “critical path” involves the what, who, when, where and how along that path. Together, these two process concepts are what keep your project on the right track, account for the many details and make sure that the inter-dependency of all developments falls into place correctly.

Like the simplistic sequences involved in baking a cake or building a stone wall, A comes before B in order to be ready for C – which may have had its own preparatory process in order to be ready when A and B arrive!

Planning is key! Developing your project’s Critical Path and timeline is the compass and the rudder on the boat – steady she goes!