Architectural Wood Turnings

In 2007, there were over 52,000 interior designers in America. This may seem like a lot, yet the outlook for interior design jobs is very good. Experts anticipate there will be a 21 to 35% increase in this line of work by the end of 2010. Most interior designers will say the main perk is the ability to use both creativity and practicality on the job. The designer’s decisions will impact how people feel and act within that space, which can be empowering and rewarding. To start an interior design career, one must choose between the nation’s best interior design schools.

To become an interior designer, you will need a special set of skills unique to the interior design industry. You will need to understand color and how certain shades affect people’s moods or the size of the room. You will need to be an excellent communicator who is completely in-tune with your clients. You’ll need to be a problem solver who understands building codes and the challenges that come with arranging patterns, colors, architectural features and furniture in a meaningful way. You will need to know all the latest interior design trends and styles and understand interior design software for the computer. You must also be creative when it comes to envisioning a room but also practical when it comes to planning. While some of this is inherently innate, interior design schools can mold the sort of employees that an interior design company is looking for.

One of the best interior design schools is the Pratt Institute in New York City. This interior design school focuses on academic art theory, artistic design and placement coursework (during the senior year). According to their website, “It is widely acknowledged that interior design education, as it is taught across the United States, began at Pratt. That so many of our alumni are found in the Who’s Who of Interior Designers is no surprise. The Interior Design program is consistently ranked among the top in the country in an annual independent professional survey.” Courses range from designs color and lighting, to architectural drawing and building, to office management and portfolio development. Pratt focuses on preparing students for a competitive job market.

Other interior design schools to consider include Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Michigan State University, Arizona State University, Art Center Design College, Illinois Institute of Art at Chicago, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Miami University, the University of Missouri, the University of Oregon, the University of Texas at Austin and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. While each school emphasizes preparation for certification and a combination of practice and theory, the choices are many. Students need to decide which approach they prefer; a classroom design theory/history approach like at Pratt Institute, a hands-on experience offered at the University of Cincinnati or specialization courses at Cornell University. Interior design jobs are waiting for students who are as decisive as they are creative.

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To pursue a career in architecture interior design, one must complete a rigorous course of study focusing on architecture, structural systems design, heating and cooling systems, safety standards, sustainable development, professional standards and interior design services. There are many different schools of thought, some focusing on creating a classic, timeless beauty, while others are looking for something more edgy and progressive. At the core of all modern designs is the oh-so-human fear of living in an uninspired cookie-cutter hulk of a house and languishing in our own apathy. A good architect interior designer will find a way to excite the client about their dwelling space again.

When it comes to architecture and interior design, award-winning professional interior designer Russell Versaci says it is all about the “Eight Pillars of Design,” which are: invent within the rules; respect the character of the place; tell a story over time; build for the ages; detail for authenticity; craft with natural materials; create the patina of age; and incorporate modern conveniences. So what does Versaci mean by “follow the rules?” He says that custom designs can often stem from studious tradition, so it is good to use the past as a guideline. You “respect its character” by working with the surrounding land and topography, rather than cutting down all the trees and leveling hills.

To “tell a story,” architects can create a storyboard of past additions to envision what innovative designs made it what it is today. To “build for the ages,” high quality building materials should be used. Molding, roofing, windows and details should follow the old character of the house to “detail for authenticity.” Materials like wood, stone and pine have a vibe that synthetic materials just can’t match, Versaci adds, which is what he means by “natural materials.” To “create the patina of age,” it’s okay to leave some elements of the home old and weathered or vintage-looking; weathered bricks, salvaged mantles or antique door knobs, for instance. Lastly, the home should be outfitted with modern heating, plumbing, air conditioning, computer wiring, hidden control panels and security systems.

This year, AIA award-winning residential architecture interior design spoke volumes about the modern American spirit. A Central Park South apartment designed by architect Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects transformed a loft space into a fresh-lined, minimalist art gallery inspired home. The architecture would act as “a coequal frame for the art, the furniture and the view,” Gwathmey said. He used asymmetrical, sculpted forms following the plumbing and a cubist collage of wood, stainless steel, titanium, stone and plaster. The jury concluded, “The design neither subordinates itself to the art nor competes with it while making its presence felt throughout the project.”

Architecture interior design is an ever-evolving study. Consumers are currently looking for homes that make better use of space, that offer open main floor plans for family interaction but separated by bedroom wings for privacy. Bathroom design is leaning toward creating home spas with whirlpools, dual-head shower stalls, double vanities and saunas. Innovative designs for kitchens almost always add a utilitarian chef’s nook or breakfast bar. Living rooms make use of large windows, high ceilings and unexpected colors. The future points toward innovative designs.

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