The Devil is in the Details

I am reminded of why not just anyone can be an interior designer.

The sheer overwhelming amount of details that define my job are impressive.
From the beginning of a project, whether it is an existing space, or a new build,
the amount of decisions to be made, the organization and documentation of those
choices is extremely important to make a project function correctly.

Designers are lucky today. We have AutoCad, emails, 3 D programs that illustrate every
angle a view can take, digital photographs, blogs (like this one) to introduce the true essence
of who we are as professionals, and of course the cell phone.

It has changed so much that older designers often find that it is impossible to keep up with the
techno part of what they must do. Communication in varied venues challenges the creative
thinker to adjust to the client, and speak with their medium. If your client texts you, you must respond with text messages. If your client phones, you must answer their calls and be available when they have time to chat about a problem or a perceived solution. If your client wants face to face meetings involving all of the team, you must be willing to slow down and do this to speak
in their language, and hear them speak.

I was reminded yesterday during a meeting with a very precious client of mine that the most important role of a designer is that of a listener. That is why the mode of communication is so important. If we fail to hear our client express their needs, concerns, or problems, then programming has failed and we cannot possible solve their problem. We don't even know what it is.

So as we get innundated with text messages, emails, voicemails, and facebook page messages,
we must remember our most important role in the whole design process. We must remember that us receiving the information is paramount to the success of any project. We must stop,
listen to the message and then repeat it as a statement of fact.

I find the process of listening, hearing, interpreting and creating to be a fascinating series of steps that test the talents of the creative mind. It is not my taste that I reflect in what I do for my clients. It is their taste that I visualize, hone to perfection, and create in their space for their loved ones. When I do that and am successful, the ideas all become theirs. The choices are easy, and the decisions flow. That is my focus and satisfaction as a designer.

Thanks for listening.