How I got myself into this

I will start with the truth. I never thought I would ever end up in school to become an interior designer, but it makes sense now that I am. For as long as I can remember I have been building structure, taking things apart to understand how they work, and reorganizing everything I see.

           

             As a child I started building structures of all shapes, sizes and materials. I started with large scale lego buildings, many have called me the real lego maniac, and as soon as I was allowed to use power tools I was on my way to building club houses, tree houses and other structures. Besides building items I was known for taking random items apart to understand how they are put together ( bikes, toasters, lawn mower, etc…. sorry dad) I enjoyed seeing how things worked so much that I developed a passion for cars and at one point in my life even enrolled in south Carolina tech to major in automotive engineering. I completed a year, working on engines came naturally, however the desired to do this line of work forever wasn’t there. So instead of wasting more time and money I un-enrolled myself from college and moved home to Saint Petersburg, Florida.

            After moving back to Florida I started working at Home Shopping network as a customer service representative and on breaks I found myself watching how the sets where being designed and put together. I thought to myself that looks like fun but never pursued it.

And then it happened. I got sucked into the world or trading spaces. I was addicted to that show and the more I watched it the more I was convinced that I could do what they were doing. So one day while sitting on the couch watching traded spaces I decided to type in “interior design”. The first thing that popped up was “Ai, The Art Institute of Tampa”. I viewed the website and clicked on the button that said request more information. I never got more information sent to me, instead I got a phone called the next day (June 14, 2006) and a guy named Joe talked me into coming down to take a tour of the campus. I thought to myself I have nothing to do and have the day off so why not. I told Joe I would be there and the next day I took my tour. I loved it and thought I can do school again and the next day I came back to started the paperwork. On June 16, 2006 I was enrolled into the interior design program, let the fun begin.

           

           Let me start by says, wow. I had no clued what I had got myself into. I have no idea how serious interior design was and how much comes with making a space look nice to others. After watching shows like while you were out and trading spaces I can understand why the public along with me is ever misinformed.

And now that I have made it through almost four years of Interior design schooling I have never been more passionate and excited about a something before. I am very proud to tell people that I am going to school for interior design and have no problem explaining people what the deference is between interior design and an interior decorator.

Now I hope to get my masters in interior design and will be moving on to do the same in architecture.

The Profession of Interior Design

What is Interior Design? 

                Interior design is the art and science of creating interior and exterior environments that are   physically and aesthetically pleasing. It combines essential knowledge and training in space planning to enhance the function, safety and aesthetic quality of an existing or nonexistent space. 

 

What is an interior designer?

                

               An interior designer is a service professional educated in producing functional and appealing environments while complying with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Interior designers are creative, imaginative and artistic individuals that are disciplined in organization and problem solving. Designers work with their clients and other professionals to design solutions that meet the occupant’s needs. 

`             Traditionally, interior designers focused on decorating, choosing a style and color palette and     then selecting appropriate furniture, floor and window treatments and lighting. However, over the years interior design has progressed to separate itself from interior decorating, by transforming the educational side to help designers understand more of the architectural, electrical and structural side of a project.

               Interior designers now are taught not only to understand; how different colors, lighting, furniture, texture and scale work together to meet the needs of a building's occupants, but also to be able to understand and produce numerous plans and construction drawing. Designers are qualified to plan spaces for residential and commercial projects, including offices, airports, theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, yachts, RVs, cruise ships, theme parks, and night clubs, etc.       

               The new generation of interior designers have a clear understanding that design is no longer just about function only. A good design can make people feel better in a space while a great design can go as far as to boost office productivity, increase sales, increase a structure market value, relax a patient during a hospital stay.

 "Good design can make and break ones mood"