As any interior designer will know, colour psychology is a major part of the industry and has helped countless designers pick the perfect colour palette for a space. Picking a hue that is especially suited to the use of a room is a seamless blend of form and function, using colour theory and practical design ideas together to offer clients the best possible solution.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Oregon (UO) and University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that when brands use the colours blue and green, consumers see them as more ethical. In a series of studies and focus groups, the researchers found that seeing these two shades makes consumers imagine that the imaginary, fictitious brand was making ethical, moral decisions in their business practises simply because they associate these blue-green tones with being kind to the planet.
As an interior designer, being contracted to decorate commercial office spaces is often considered ‘the ideal gig’. Why? Because it gives you a chance to showcase your brand, talent and personal style to mass audiences. The likelihood of word-of-mouth marketing is also high because businesses can recommend your services to other companies. Not to mention, it looks great in your portfolio!
However, there are certainly ways of being even more impressive with your … Continue reading
As clients are increasingly becoming health conscious, interior designers can take on board some tips from health research as they are planning out a space. Jotting down some of these notes in the margins of your sketchpad can help as you are conceptualising where to put that sofa, or what colour to paint the walls.
Here we look at a range of health and interior design research, and narrow down how you can use this wealth of knowledge in your daily tasks as a designer.
The fact of the matter is, first impressions count.
During your career as a designer or specifier, you will be tasked with showing your portfolio of sketches, mood boards, look-books and images of rooms you have decorated to potential clients. The time they spend flicking through your portfolio is usually when they develop an impression of your work and style, so it's important to wow them.
Here are three tips for presenting a quality, professional portfolio.
Interior design is an art form, requiring creativity and instinct. Every now and then, though, research is published that can give the job even more merit – especially when this research is about improving the mental health and overall wellbeing of clients who spend time in the spaces you design.
If you're currently working on designing or decorating a commercial office space, check out this research by Human Spaces and the University of Melbourne.
Any novelist, poet or author will be the first to tell you that writer's block is a frustrating experience. But, as most designers and specifiers will know, feeling lost without inspiration is just as bad – designer's block isn't a walk in the park.
If you're currently stuck in this mood, don't you worry, as the Resene Total Colour Awards gallery can spruce things up.
For colour inspiration:
For industrial design inspiration:
Reaching out and engaging with your clients requires a dedicated effort. But if you consistently punch ahead of your competitors with an unbeatable service offering, enthusiasm and timeliness, the end results can be well worth it.
If you're an interior decorator, it's a must to be on top of the latest trends, as well as having an appreciation of schools of design that underpin the specific designs currently in vogue.
One of your key areas of focus will of course be colour. While furniture placement and accessory choice are also important elements of a living space or bedroom makeover, you certainly can't undervalue the impact of excellent colour selection. Whether your clients are focussed on obtaining a fresh and neutral vibe or want to break the mould a little, there are plenty of options available to them. Here are some tips you can offer your clients when working on an exciting interior design project.
Design trends and decorating ideas are constantly morphing, with those making the key decisions drawing influence from a range of sources.
It appears that some of the latest innovations coming out of the design and development industry are all about height. From multi-purpose skylights to sloped roofs and even a multi-storey creative hub, designers and city planners are looking upwards for inspiration.
As a specifier, it's essential to keep on top of what's occurring in the industry, so you can respond to client requests accordingly. Having a finger on the pulse, so to speak, is a must.
Designing properties requires no shortage of talent and eye for detail.
When it comes to residential properties, it's essential to strike the balance between beauty and practicality. It's now clear that concerns regarding climate change are also affecting the way properties are actually constructed, with sustainable materials becoming increasingly popular.
You'll want to be aware of the latest trends in building design. While adapting to climate change requires a holistic approach in terms of designing an entire house, there are other design features that are far more detailed. One of these is threshold drainage.
As preferences for building materials change over the years and particular home designs come in and out of fashion, it pays to be ahead of the curve when it comes to what's hot – and what isn't.
There are some particular trends in home designs that have been stimulating the interest of architects and those in home design circles lately. Paying attention to these trends could give industry professionals an edge above their competition when it comes to offering innovative solutions to clients.
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