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Five Things to Look for when Hiring an Interior Designer
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We are all taking strategic steps to prepare to navigate yet another unsure market. Selecting the right team for a project is one of the most important steps to make. However, something we hear all the time is that Interior Designers are not always needed for a successful project. The misunderstanding is that it’s a role that is dispensable, or they are needed but not highly valued. Negative outlooks on designers are often preceded by negative or lackluster experiences with them. We have often had to take over after a team wasn’t a good fit and this led us to wanting to share the 5 things to look for when hiring an Interior Designer.
First is to make sure you have a team where efficiency and flexibility are highly valued. This may sound like a given but it’s not. Being able to make quick educated opinions and to shift with the market is a trait not all design studios have. It takes consistent communication and a deep knowledge of the process to be able to work at your speed, not theirs. We often see designers forget they aren’t designing for themselves, but to align with the client’s goals. The only way to do that successfully is to be flexible.
Photo Info: Corsair
Grand Prairie, Texas
“Being able to make quick educated opinions and to shift with the market is a trait not all design studios have. It takes consistent communication and a deep knowledge of the process to be able to work at your speed, not theirs.”
The next is a team that has consistent senior level involvement. A common trend in the design industry is to use less expensive team members for most of the work to keep overall fees down. It makes some sense initially from a financial perspective, but the outcome can often mean too much of the project is handled by designers that are inexperienced. A project, especially in an unsteady market, handled by inexperienced designers will usually cost more in the long run. Not to mention the toll it takes on young designers and the rate of burnout in what can be an already stressful industry.
The third is to select a team that has experience with a broad range of budgets. With a new client, one of their goals is to confirm that we have worked on their type of project. If it’s a high-end project, it’s important we have experience with high-end design, the same with mid or low end. However, it’s more advantageous for developers to confirm designers have experience with all types of budgets, regardless of the project type. All projects are being value engineered right now, pricing is fluctuating so much it takes a team that is well versed in understanding that process to make sure your project’s bottom line is healthy.
Photo Info: Revel Legacy, Scottsdale, AZ The Fillmore Center San Francisco, CA VEDA Apartments Sherman Oaks, CA
“All projects are being value engineered right now, pricing is fluctuating so much it takes a team that is well versed in understanding that process to make sure your project’s bottom line is healthy.”
Next is a team that can integrate into the local mindset of the project. We often say we think like a local and have a boots on the ground mentality. Why is this important? A successful project connects with the local community. You shouldn’t be able to walk into a space and feel like you can be anywhere, its impersonal and design should be personal. That connection translates to signed leases, hotels bookings, retails sales, etc.
The last is probably one of the most important. Your designer should feel like an extension of your team. Just like hiring an employee, culture, personality, level of communication, is all important. Many issues can be resolved with respect and consideration, and no amount of experience and talent can cover up someone being difficult to work with.
In all this, just keep in mind, anyone can make something that looks good, but ultimately the return on your investment is partnering with someone that aligns with your business plan and enriches your bottom line.
Photo Info: Elkwood Flagstaff, AZ“Your designer should feel like an extension of your team. Just like hiring an employee, culture, personality, level of communication, is all important.”
