The Morality of Designing

Some people...well those that are not designers of any sorts...might not realize that anything you design has a moral consequence with it.  Is this chair I am designing going to hurt the user in anyway? Is this public bathroom going to fit the needs of a wheelchair bound user? Can I (designer) design a facility that might be against my personal beliefs?  How does your sense of morality effect the clients you are working with? Some of these questions designers have to face everyday and sometimes only at certain crossroads. If you’re hurting for work, you may feel like you don’t have the option to pick whether or not to take the job that goes against your personal sense of morality. Hey, work is work right? But should you sacrifice your morals for money and how will you feel once the project is over? Especially if your good work helps the cause?

Only you know how badly you need the assignment, the job, the money. Only you know what your ethics mean to you. But if you’re ever asked to do something that you absolutely and truly do not wish to do, then simply don’t do it. Money may be a little lean, but you’ll no doubt thank yourself in the future. Misplaced morals have a way of coming back to haunt you in the future.

I’m thankful that morality is talked about before having to face these scenarios in the real world. One day we all as designers will have to face something like this and at least I will have an idea of where I stand. Especially since everyone has their own strong beliefs. I’m sure deciding whether or not to take on a project based on your beliefs isn’t as uncommon as everyone thinks it might be. It’s ultimately up to you to decide if you can be comfortable working on something you disagree with. Most of the time, the stress is simply not worth the money, so it’s often best to pass on something you strongly disagree with, in my opinion.

The difference is...

If you were to ask a random person what they think of Interior Design, Architecture, and Interior Decoration, there is not much difference. Yes they might be able to define the architect, but most people use Interior Designer and Interior Decorator interchangeably. So the answer is, Yes there is very much an interchangeable relation between Interior Designers, Architects, and Decorators.  But no we are all not the same.  An architect is a person who is involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction.  An Architect is responsible for the integrity and soundness of a building structure. Architects focus on the exterior of a building. They are very technical and routine. They study for years and years to achieve perfection and within that perfection, create amazing structures.  Interior designers are professionals that focus on the health safety and welfare of the inhabitants occupying the space inside of a building.  We assess what may be the design problem and approach the problem in a schematic and responsive matter.  We research the physical and emotional effects a person might encounter while being in the space. The knowledge however, is not just limited to interiors of homes and commercial spaces. Anything that has to do with being inside or the interior, we as designers create. This is not limited in any way, but can include lighting design, furniture design, urban design and much more. The one crucial thing that separates us from decorators is that we design a space and a decorator adorns a space. Everything that we study is required and eventually learned knowledge. Every aspect of design relates to the future in one way or another. Because of what we are required to study, this broader range of required knowledge is what distinguishes an interior designer from a decorator.  Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors and clients alike, planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpeting.  Both an architect and interior designer can suggest and approve structural changes to walls.  A decorator can do neither.  An interior decorator has a much more limited scope on what he or she can do.  They usually do not have the educational background that a professional designer or architect has.  Most decorators are individuals that have a knack for decoration. They watch a lot of HGTV, they shop at fabric stores and try to recreate something that they might have seen one day without the background knowledge to backup why they are decorating the space that way. Many of them wanted to become designers and then decided that they weren’t ready for the amount of education that comes along with Interior design. Decoration costs nothing and anyone can do it. That is why there needs to be a distinction between the three.

Whats to deregulate?

As a interior design student, I oppose the deregulation of registered Interior Designers. I understand the skepticism on the necessity of legislation of what some might call “decorating”. For the general public, there isn’t a way to stand out from behind the cloud of Interior Decorators without much confusion taking place. Designers have to establish some kind of separation from the decorators, for there to be a barrier between what design is and what is decoration. The profession of Interior Design and the service Interior Designers provide is much more than what is shown on television. Interior designers educate themselves beyond what is displayed on shows such as HGTV. They educate themselves by attending classes and going to school to learn.  Interior Designers don’t just provide a service but we help protect the public. The definition of 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 are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals. “

 Receiving a degree in Interior Design requires skill in many cross disciplinary fields.  The public or “interior decorators” may not be aware that Interior Designers may receive a four-year CIDA accredited degree in Interior Design and become certified by the NCIDQ examination that tests minimum standards for Certified Interior Designers.  The profession of what interior design is misunderstood and misrepresented. Overall, we do more than just pick paint colors and throw pillows. We protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Protecting the public requires an understanding of codes; commercial and residential.  The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). It has been adopted throughout most of the United States.  A registered Interior Designer by practice must adhere to the following codes as they directly impact the safety of interior space design.  Understanding codes are not something that can be learned in a day. It takes education and understanding and practice to fully get the reasoning for codes that are used daily in design. 

The difference between qualified and unqualified interior designers impacts everyone.  Without a clear understanding of important regulations, an unqualified designer might inadvertently violate code or even create life-threatening hazards. It is not enough to say that you have gone to school and now you are qualified to be an Interior Designer. It takes education, experience and examination to produce a well rounded designer.