By and large, interior designers absolutely love what they do. In a recent survey conducted by Design Success University, a whopping 93.2% of practicing designers reported loving what they do. Now that’s somebody you want to hire and have working for you, right?!!??
Hold on a sec.
Not so fast. Three out of four of those same respondents reported feeling overwhelmed with their workload “somewhat” or “a great deal.” A full 67% reported that they struggle to stay organized.
What gives? Are designer nit-wits? Not at all. But once the public perception and HGTV-driven fairy dust illusion of “design as a playground” of fabric and color disappears, reality sets in. Design is an intensely detailed, intensely specific, highly paperwork driven animal. That makes it an intensely pain-in-the-logistical-rear end business. That’s why wise designers have strong support teams in place, whether full or part time. Great designers need great systems and great people in place to help catch all of the marbles that cascade down the hill during even the most routine design project.
Be a wise designer consumer. When you are interviewing your potential designers, be sure to ask on-target questions related to a designer’s systems and processes, her organizational ability and what type of people or systems she has in place to make sure that YOUR experience as a design consumer – as her client – is a very smooth one.
There are so many outstanding, excellently skilled and organized designers out there. Let’s make sure you find one of them.
Next week: Perils of Furnishing a New Home…
About Donna Hoffman, The Interior Design Advocate™
Donna is a former top QVC Show Host and now one of the country’s foremost consumer advocates in interior design in addition to being an award winning designer herself. “I help people avoid wasting big dollars and unnecessary frustration when furnishing and decorating their home by offering clear strategies for finding the right products, professionals, contractors and services.” The results are that people get what they want, spend smart, eliminate the stress and get that beautiful home of their dreams. Known as The Interior Design Advocate™, Donna is here as your advocate, making sure you get wise in design so you can get what you want.