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A misunderstood profession

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By Paola Gavilanez

“Oh cool, you’re an interior designer! I love watching decorating shows!”
- Well, to be honest those shows don’t really depict what I do.

“I guess. My cousin Anne has the most wonderful taste. I should give you her number.”
- [silence]

“I can never decide on paint colours or where to put furniture. You should come to my house and give me some ideas… You must be so talented!”
     - Uh, thanks?

Many interior designers have had some version of this conversation throughout their careers. When asked what interior designers do, the majority of the public will answer that ‘we have a flair for accessorizing; a good eye for colour and will use our knowledge of fabrics and aesthetics to make a room beautiful’.  But this is what decorators do.  Decorating is an important part of what some interior designers do, but only a small part. (www.careersininteriordesign.com/faqs)

  

 

So, interior design is a misunderstood profession. This perception can affect our ability to practice. NCIDQ’s (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) definition of it partially states:


“Interior design is 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 must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. […] Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the health, life safety and welfare of the public.” (www.ncidq.org).

How to get the public to better understand the complexity our work? One way is to belong to professional organizations. These allow us to have a united voice, advocate for our right to practice and educate the public. IDC (Interior Designers of Canada) – the national advocacy body and representative for the provincial associations – states: “Our vision is that all companies, organizations, governments and individuals know when it is appropriate to hire an interior design professional for a project.” (www.idcanada.org). Furthermore, IDC is actively working towards the goal of every province to have professional regulation for the public’s protection. This would mean that in order to practice as an interior designer you have to be a registered/professional member of your provincial association.

So, what about B.C.? Things are moving in the same direction. IDIBC (www.idibc.org) is our provincial association and regulatory body. Our Title Act regulates the use of the title “Registered Interior Designer” (RID); and hopefully soon we will have a Practice Act. As part of their commitment to advance the profession and to align with the rest of Canada, IDIBC has announced changes to the minimum education requirements for provisional membership (which in turn will affect professional membership).

Currently, interior design diploma graduates from a program that aligns with requirements of route 4 to take the NCIDQ exam qualify for provisional membership. They must then successfully complete the exam within five years of admission to IDIBC. As of January 1st, 2015 graduates will require minimum of a bachelor degree in interior design to qualify for provisional membership. And as of January 1st, 2017 the minimum requirement will be a bachelor degree from a CIDA-accredited program. CIDA (The Council for Interior Design Accreditation) is an international organization that accredits post secondary interior design education programs in the United States and Canada (accredit-id.org). For more information please see: www.idibc.org/images/uploads/Student_FAQs_Dec_2011.pdf.

B.C. educational institutions have been working towards providing students with options to fulfill these requirements, should they wish to do so:

  • The Art Institute Vancouver now has a new Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design.
  • BCIT is preparing a proposal for a Degree in Interior Design. Proposed start date is September 2013. This will allow students to continue on from the Diploma.
  • VIU offers a Bachelor of Interior Design and will apply for CIDA accreditation this year.
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers a CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Interior Design.

These are exciting times for professional interior designers. Your opinion counts. Have your voice heard by becoming a member of your provincial association. What do YOU think the future of our profession should look like?

Paola Gavilanez, RID, IDC, NCIDQ 24456, LEED GA serves on the IDIBC board as VP Education. She is an instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Interior Design program; and does part-time pro-bono design work. She may be contacted at paola.gavilanez@kwantlen.ca

  
 
 
 
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