issue no. 25

designer vs. decorator

the important distinction

heads up! this one’s wordy

Recently, Architecture was removed from the list of “professional degrees”. While it doesn’t change the education attached, this directly impacts access to student loans + financial aid, limiting amounts by more than half in some cases- an absurd amendment made by an administration built on absurdity. But, as it turns out, Interior Design has never been on that list.

A professional degree, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a degree that "signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor's degree”. And while all undergrad programs differ, the grueling studio hours + impossible deadlines, a thesis presentation that determines your entire future, along with an expensive 3-part, multiple-day licensing exam (NCIDQ) after a minimum 2 years in the field, seem a little less than typical.

Bloodshot eyes + hardened fingertips, encrusted with zap-a-gap - remnants of a 24-hour bender in scaled model building. Mylar papercuts smudged with Rapidograph ink, proof of an all-nighter of axonometric + perspective drawings. The tales of “look to your left + right because only x number of you will remain” were our stark reality on day one. The harsh public critiques that left us holding our breath for some semblance of approval, which, when it came, could quell one’s daddy issues for an entire semester.

Design school was no joke – a hazing of its own. The studio was our life + there was a beautiful camaraderie in that. We watched friends forced to change majors + schools after failing pin-up – a wildly inhumane process where 2 years in, you present to a jury + if you’re not up to par, you’re out. And for the lucky few of us who were deemed worthy of proceeding, it felt like the biggest success of our lives. We would become Designers.

My first initiation into career defense occurred while waiting tables at a Melting Pot, a “high-end” fondue restaurant. One night, strategically hiding my struggle with a corkscrew, a 2-top’s date slips away to the bathroom. Through small talk, he casually tells me he’ll propose during dessert. Covering the nearly broken cork with my linen napkin as I dig the bottle into my hip, prying harder, I say, “That’s so exciting!”

He follows up with the standard college town question- “What are you studying?” Through clenched teeth, I respond, “minoring in architecture, majoring in interior design”. The sweat hits my brow, the cork releases, + he replies, “Ah! I always tell my girlfriend she should be a designer- you should see our curtains!” I politely smile, begging my eyes not to roll as His date returns and I act as if 1.) I have no idea she’s about to get engaged, and 2.) I am not so utterly offended by his comment. Cork-less wine poured, I head to another table to elegantly transform chunks of gruyere into cheese fondue.

Although this was the first time, it was certainly not the last – a new + constant study in career defense. Here’s the thing: there is nothing wrong with being a decorator, nothing. Inherently, all designers are decorators. We select the finishes, furniture, fixtures, etc., but that comprises only a fraction of our scope.

As designers, we are problem solvers- it is what separates us from artists. We must consider structure, occupancy, building + accessibility codes, HVAC + plumbing requirements, site conditions, and sustainability measures (to name a few). We work closely with engineers to optimize duct + stair locations, ceiling heights, daylighting levels, and acoustics. We have the great privilege of literally creating space.

Back in 2005, I was fortunate enough to see the late + ridiculously talented Zaha Hadid speak. Her words both inspired + haunted me: “We need to take back the word Designer. We are designers. We design worlds + bring ideas to fruition.” At a time when Interior Architect was (and still is) used as a way to distinguish ourselves from decorators, Zaha was right. But it is up to us to educate.

Our clients deserve to be fully informed about who they are hiring + the knowledge that comes with the label + price tag attached. True design is so much more than aesthetics. It has the ability to improve lives – something we take on with the utmost respect + care. So, the next time you meet a designer, dig a little deeper. We’re not all the same :).