Assessing designers

CID is publishing exclusive extracts from former APID president Ken Laidler’s paper on the need to constantly assess interior designer.

Competence in specification

The evolution of a qualified designer into a fully conversant, materials-selection adviser has in recent years given birth to the FF&E designer. The selection of furniture, fittings and equipment must be initiated from the design concept stage by, or in conjunction with, the concept designer.

However, in most cases the FF&E designer should themselves be capable of intuitive, creative design, as in the same manner that we can no longer have a draughtsman, we cannot accept a materials selection clerk.

The FF&E designer requires a full knowledge of historical and period design, as well as geographical relevance, to ensure that the materials they are selecting and proposing are in harmony with the design concept or theme.

Perhaps one of the most important roles of the FF&E designer is to know the technical specification of the materials that they are selecting, from weights, pile height and tufts/m² in carpets to absorption rates of liquid into natural materials such as stone and granite.

Given the huge and ever increasing list of materials available for interior specification, the FF&E designer must be constantly researching, cataloging and filing information for instant retrieval.

The FF&E designer is the interior design consultant’s face to the world of suppliers and manufactures and, as such, must have excellent communication skills with both outside bodies and the team involved in the project.

Furthermore, the FF&E designer must appreciate the financial implications of his or her selections, from the cost of supply, shipping, fixing and delivery.

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While it is clearly understood that most designers dislike administrative duties, because of the complex contractual nature of interior design, a company needs to formulate an effective administration system. Failure to do so will undoubtedly lead to contractual problems with clients, contractors and suppliers.

All levels of personnel within the design team need to understand the design process and how their deliverables fit into the overall mix. However, it is important that one person co-ordinates these matters and ensures that the chain of communication is understood, unbroken and, most importantly, monitored and up-to-date. A design manager or administrator’s responsibility is to follow the project through from receipt of initial enquiry to handover of project, by monitoring letters, transmittals and all other communication.

Constructional Expertise

Naturally, everybody involved in the design process must have a high level of expertise in construction issues at the stage of design implementation.
Traditionally, in architecture, a clerk of works or contract manager in the employ of the architect would supervise on-site works. In recent times, project mangers tend to be the main point of contact for contractors, consultants and clients.

As interior design implementation becomes a more complex issue, requiring co-ordination of MEP services, audio visual and room management systems, to mention only a few, it follows that the specialisation of site supervision becomes increasingly important. To this end, a design construction manager – who is distinct from the project manager – has become an integral part of the design team. Note that this is a specialist service which may not be included within the normal scope of design services.

The interior design contract manager is required to fully comprehend the design concept, and know the logic of the selection of all materials and furnishings. He or she must be involved in total co-ordination, delivery procedures, completion deadlines, contractor’s payments, architectural parameters, technical specifications and fixing methods of all finishes and fittings.

It is clear that the role of the contract manager is pivotal to the successful completion of a project.

Next month, Laidler will highlight the importance of client awareness and cultural comprehension, and reiterate the need for continuous examination.