Professional practice for interior designers in the global marketplace

This book is about interior designers of tomorrow require a professional practice text that is sufficiently contemporary and innovative to prepare them for the rapidly evolving landscape of the twenty-first-century workplace. It is aimed students of the Millennial Generation with the know-how they will need to launch and evolve their careers. It emphasizes the essential skills and knowledge required to work in a firm as an entry-level designer, while providing an overview of what is involved in starting, owning, and operating and interior design business. Although rooted in fundamental, the book incorporates up-to-the-minute developments, including globalization, changing demographics, the rise of networking technologies, sustainable design, social responsibility, and global economics.

The book is categorized into four part, there are ‘Launching a career in the interior design profession’ (part 1), ‘Working in a design firm’ (part 2), ‘Long-term client relationships and project responsibilities’ (part 3) and ‘Owning and operating an interior design business: an overview’ (part 4).

Part 1 launching a career in the interior design profession begins the exploration of professional practice by reviewing the fundamentals of being an interior designer in the globally oriented twenty-first century. In reflecting the theme of this book. Part 1 emphasizes contemporary expectations of the profession, including designing sustainable built environments, participating in international collaborations, grooming adaptable professional skills, and optimizing social media. The first chapter in part 1 provides and overview of important aspects of the interior design profession that a person should be aware of before searching for his or her first job. In chapter 2, career opportunities are explored, including types of design firms, areas of specialization, earnings, compensation plans, and benefits. The last chapter in part 1, chapter 3, examines how to prepare, search, and interview for entry-level positions.

The purpose of part 2 is to provide an interior designer with the business-related information that must know when attaining the first job as an interior designer and can also be used for internships. Part 2 has three chapters. Chapter 4 initiates the discussion by examining professional business responsibilities, including personal management's strategies, ethics, multidisciplinary collaboration and various categories associated with business etiquette. As for chapter 5, global business environments are analyzed by expanding on content related to globalization affects the business interior design by discussing international practice, cultural dimensions, and intercultural communication styles. The chapter concludes by examining and intercultural business protocols associated with meetings, negotiations, and socializing. The last chapter in this part examines several ways to be compensated for professional services and delineates how to determine fees and compensations. Chapter 6 also reviews important general accounting and administrative practices that are used by designers on a daily basis. The chapter ends by reviewing U.S laws associated with the work of an interior designer, such as liability, contracts, and intellectual property.

Part 3, long-term client relationships and project responsibilities is dedicated to understanding how to establish and nurture client relationships as well as how to demonstrate the value by implementing best business practices throughout the design process. Part 3 begins with chapter 7. This chapter analyses strategies for establishing long-term client relationships. The next two chapters review working on projects from the perspective of best business practices as well as effective client relationships. Chapter 8 explores building long-term relationships with clients within the context of effective project management practices, and chapter 9 covers the phases of the integrated design process (IDP). Part 3 concludes the book’s information related to working as an entry-level interior design, and the Part 4, owning and operating and interior design business: and overview examines content that is relevant designers who want to own their firm.

The first step of owning a business is to acquire considerable years of experience. Professional experience will help to avoid costly mistakes and will enable to build a roster of clients who can provide with the operating dollars that are required for a business. Part 4 is dedicated to content that is relevant to designers who want to own their firm by reviewing how to develop a business plan, operate a green business, create a marketing program, and manage human resources.

The book provides valuable information for interior designers but the only downside is that the book is based on U.S, for example, the laws, license, some data information and others.