Ever spent time at theoatmeal.com? I recently was on their site and had a good chuckle while reading their cartoon “How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell”. The cartoon shows, in an extremely comical (and for design professionals, a relatable) way, how great design can really be ruined if the client doesn’t trust the designer.
I understand just as well as anyone that it’s difficult to relinquish control, but you’ve hired a professional, right? If you really want that “wow” factor, you have to be willing to take risks. This means being opened to trying things you may not have considered on your own. Now, taking risks and being open doesn’t mean that your opinion doesn’t matter; a good designer will listen and consider your concerns, but they will also make decisions that are best for you in the long run.
So how do you know you can trust your designer? First of all, do your research. Has your designer received formal training from a recognized school of design? Do they have experience working on projects such as yours? Do they have references or testimonials from happy customers? Are they recognized as professionals by a governing body? (For Interior Designers this may be the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), or the provincial chapter such as the Interior Designers Institute of BC (IDIBC)).
Second, make sure you meet your prospective designer before you officially hire them. You have to like the person that you are working with. Do they seem interested in helping you? Are they friendly, professional, and easy to talk to, or are they intimidating?
In the end it’s all about trust. Renowned illustrator and designer Von R. Glitschka once said: “Listen to your client, take into consideration all of their input, weigh the options, study the details, know the target audience, and then, if necessary, ignore all of it and design what you think will work best”. Have faith in your designer and you’ll have the interior space others will wish for.
» Learn more about the benefits an interior designer brings to your project! Looking for a designer you can trust? Contact our Registered Professional Interior Designer at Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, BC.