Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning a room or space into a setting for a range of activities that are to take place there. An interior designer is one who manages and coordinates projects, most often involving conceptual development, communicating with the stakeholders of a project, and managing and executing the design.
The interior design profession is not clearly defined, and projects undertaken by an interior designer vary widely on terms of quantity and scope. Terms such as designer and/or decorator are often used interchangeably; however, there is a distinction between the terms that relates to the scope of work performed, the level of education achieved, and professional accreditation as an interior designer.
Being an Interior Designer implies that there is an emphasis on planning, functional design and effective use of space involved in the job, as compared to interior decorating. An interior designer can undertake projects that include arranging the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects that require an understanding of technical issues such as acoustics, lighting, temperature, etc… An interior designer may create the layout of a space, they may not alter load-bearing walls without having their designs stamped for approval by an architect. In many cases, interior designers often work directly with architectural firms.
