INTERIOR DESIGN

WORK SAMPLE

Interior Designer Work Sample

At this work station you will have a career exploration as an interior designer. You will complete some of the same activities an interior designer would complete. At this work station you will perform the following tasks:

1. Use an architect’s scale2. Mix acrylic paints to experiment with color3. Learn about color schemes4. Plan and design floor plans5. Perform a client interview

Before beginning these activities you will first learn about a career as an interior designer.

2

3

Nature of the WorkInterior designers plan and supervise the

design and arrangement of building interiors and furnishings. They may work on either private

homes or commercial buildings.

When planning any space, designers first consider the purpose of the area, the needs ofthe occupants, and the client’s budget and taste.

The next step of the designer’s job involvespreparing sketches and detailed plans. These willshow all the furniture and accessories the designer

4

is considering as well as many changes in the structure itself. Changes may vary from planning anew wall to separate the dining and living rooms tocreating a work cubicle in an office. Sometimesthe clients do not approve the plans, in which case the designer will revise them.

Once the client approves both the plans and the cost, the designer may order the furnishings, supervise the work of painters, floor finishers, carpet layers, and other craft workers, if they are needed, and make sure the furnishings are installed and arranged according to the approved plan.

Designers who work in large department and furniture stores that have separate design departments advise customers on decorating and design plans. Although their principal function is to help sell the store’s merchandise, they may suggest furnishings from other sources when essential to the customer’s plans. Department store designers also frequently advise the store’s buyers and executives about style and color trends in interior furnishings.

Interior designers who specialize in nonresidential structures often work for clients on large design projects such as the interiors of entire office buildings, hospitals, and libraries. Generally, they plan the complete layout of rooms without changes to the structure of the building. They also may redesign or renovate the interiors of old buildings. In these cases, an architect checks the plans to make sure that they comply with building requirements. Some interior designers also design the furniture and accessories to be used in various structures, and then arrange for their manufacture. A few design the interiors of ships and aircraft or stage sets used for motion pictures or television.

Regardless of where they are working, designers must deal with paperwork; they must place orders, figure estimates, and maintain records of where to purchase hundreds of different types of furnishings. Handling business matters such as these require close attention to detail and accuracy.

Artistic talent is crucial for interior designers. People in this field also need a strong color sense, an eye for detail, and sense of balance and proportion. An aesthetic sense, or sensitivity to beauty, is absolutely essential. Because styles and tastes in art and

5

fashion change quickly, people in this field need to be versatile and alert to new ideas and trends.

6

Employment in design occupations is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the years.

EarningsMedian annual earnings of experienced

full-time designers in Virginia was almost $ 41,700 in 2002.

Now that you have been presented with a few facts about a career as an interior designer, do you think you would want to do that type of work for a living?

Take the interest check sheet from the clipboard at your work station and fill in your name and today’s date. Check your answer to Question #1, (No, I wouldn’t; Maybe; or Yes, I would), and then CALL YOUR EVALUATOR.

(Observation Point #1)

Now you will complete some of the tasks an interior designer does in an average work week. While completing the tasks, you should keep in mind that an interior designer needs to be creative and have artistic ability. Your work should reflect these abilities.

Architect’s ScaleYour first task will be to complete the Architect’s Scale Test. An accurate drawing of a floor plan will eliminate

misinterpretations and many on-the-job errors. Therefore, the ability to use a scale accurately for a drawing and on the job is critical.

The typical architectural scales used for working drawings are shown in Figure 1-2. Figure 1-3 is an example of a floor plan which has architectural scale markings on it.

TYPICAL ARCHITECTURAL SCALES

Type of Drawing Scale Size

Plot Plans1/8" = 1'-0"

Floor Plans1/4" = 1'-0"

Individual Room Plans ½" = 1'-0"Construction Details 1" =

1'-0"

Figure 1-2

Various scales are used by interior designers

After studying Figures 1-2 and 1-3, CALL YOUR EVALUATOR for a demonstration on how to use the architect’s scale and then complete the Architect’s Scale Test. The Architect’s Scale Test is located in a file folder in your work sample. Turn the completed test in to your evaluator.

(Observation Point #2)

Color

The effective use of color in a home depends on the selection of appropriate colors that are then combined into pleasant color schemes. The color scheme the designer selects should reflect the client’s lifestyle, particularly his or her personality and taste.

Red, blue, and yellow are called primary colors. They cannot be made by mixing other colors together. But primary colors can be combined to make other colors.

Secondary colors are made by mixing equal amounts of two primary colors:

orange = red + yellowgreen = blue + yellow

violet = blue + red

Intermediate or tertiary colors are made by mixing equal amounts of one primary and one secondary color. When the primary, secondary, and intermediate colors are all placed in a circle, they make up a standard color wheel.

For you next task you will need to locate the following items in your work sample:

Laminated Color WheelColor Wheel Worksheet

Acrylic PaintPaintbrush

Paint Mixing ToolPaint Mixing BoardContainer for Water

Use small, equal amounts of two primary colors to mix the secondary colors on the paint mixing board. You will need to mix equal amounts of one primary and one secondary color to create intermediate colors. Fill in one primary, one secondary and one intermediate color on your color wheel worksheet. When you have completed this task, CALL YOUR EVALUATOR.

(Observation Point #3)

Color Schemes

Colors have symbolic meanings for each individual. For instance warm colors (reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows) are advancing colors and make a room appear smaller. These colors are exciting, stimulating, active, cheery, informal, friendly, and inviting. Large areas of warm colors, however, can be uncomfortable and irritating.

The cool colors (blues, greens, and violets) are receding colors and will make a room appear larger. These colors are quieting, soothing, restful, and formal. Too much of any cool color can make a room too formal or unfriendly.

Warm Colors Cool Colors

For your next task you will choose one color scheme and fill in one Interior Perspective Work Sheet located in a file folder in your work sample. Choose one of the following types of color schemes:

Monochromatic (colors consisting of one color or hue) Cool Colors Bright, Warm Colors Light Colors Dark Colors

When you have completed this task, CALL YOUR EVALUATOR.(Observation Point #4)

Floor Plans

The heart of the interior designer’s drawings is the floor plan. The floor plan gives an overall view of the total amount of space. The interior designer’s ability to draw an accurate and neat floor plan is important. Accurate drawings clarify graphic communication and eliminate costly errors on the job. The different lines used on a floor plan are shown in Figure 1-5.

Figure 1-5In Step A dimension lines for the house or rooms are pencilled in. The lines drawn at this point are called

layout lines.

Design a floor plan (to the scale of 1/4" = 1'-0") onto a sheet of graph paper. (The 1/4" Floor Plan Template may be outlined directly onto the graph paper.) Cut out the templates and place them on the floor plan of your graph paper. Make new templates or draw directly on the floor plan any template that is not available. Make adjustments by adding, removing, or rearranging items you find necessary to make the room more livable. Make sure the floor plan is completely furnished with furniture, cabinets, appliances, and so on. (Make sure you place the tape on the back side.) When completed, trace a finished drawing. You may want to add a color scheme to your plan.

When you have completed this activity, stop and CALL YOUR EVALUATOR.(Observation Point #5)

Client Interview

Before a designer can prepare an intelligent design, he or she must understand the individual’s lifestyle, especially living space requirements and personal tastes. To gather much of their information, professionals use check lists to profile the client and assess the needs and activities in each room. The interior designer interviews the client and makes notations on their checklists.

Your task will be to interview your evaluator. You will use the client interview worksheets provided to find out your client’s likes and needs. Before interviewing your evaluator, read the sample interview on the next two pages and look at the Sample Client Interview Worksheet. Use these as a guideline for the interview you will conduct. CALL YOUR EVALUATOR and conduct your client interview.

(Observation Point #6)

Sample Client Interview

Interior Designer: “Hello Mrs. Jones. I need to ask you a few questions about your decorating tastes so that I have a better idea what to plan for you.”“First of all, do you live in a house or an apartment?”

Client: “We own a condominium on the bay.”

Interior Designer: “Describe the floor plan please.”

Client: “We have three large bedrooms. The master bedroom has a waterfront view and a half bath. There’s a full bath upstairs and one downstairs. The downstairs consists of a living room with a fireplace, dining room eat-in kitchen and a study.”

Interior Designer: “O.K. Now that I know the floor plan of your home, I need to ask you a few questions about your decorating preferences.”“Do you prefer traditional or modern furnishings? Formal or informal?”

Client: “We prefer modern, informal. I like very comfortable furniture that is practical.”

Interior Designer: “What colors do you like in your home?”

Client: “We like warm, light colors. I like pastels and my husband prefers more neutral colors. I would like a bright, cheerful kitchen.”

Interior Designer: “Next I would like for you to look through some decorating magazines

and wallpaper and fabric books. Then I will need to schedule an appointment to meet with you in your home.”

Return all materials to their original places and clean your work area.

Congratulations, you have just completed your work experience as an interior designer. Take the Interest Check Sheet and answer Question #2. Now that you have completed the Interior Designer Work Sample, do you think that you would want to do that type of work for a living? (Check: No, I wouldn’t; Maybe; or Yes, I would). Answer the question and then CALL YOUR EVALUATOR.

(Observation Point #7)