Professional Practice for Interior Designers

Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
1. Interior Design as a Profession 1
Why Study Professional Practice? 2
Defining the Profession 3
What Is a Profession? 4
Professional Responsibility in a Changing World 4
Historical Overview 6
Interior Design Divisions 10
Interior Design Value 11
The Business of Interior Design 12
2. Professional Advancement 19
Educational Preparation 20
Internships 22
Lifelong Learning 24
NCIDQ Examination 25
Licensing and Registration 28
Professional Associations 31
Social Responsibility 37
3. Ethics and Professional Conduct 43
Ethical Standards 44
Ethics in the Business Environment 45
Professional Conduct 49
Disciplinary Procedures 55
4. Legal Responsibilities 59
The Legal Environment of Interior Design Practice 60
Criminal versus Tort Law 63
Negligence 64
The Seller's Rights and Obligations 178
Statute of Frauds 179
The Sales Contract 181
Electronic Agreements and Signatures 186
Sales on Approval 189
Title 189
Risk 190
Warranties and Product Liability 191
10. Trade Sources 201
Manufacturers 202
Sales Representatives 203
Marts, Showrooms, and Market Centers 204
Local Showrooms 205
Retail Specialty Stores 206
Manufacturer's Dealers 206
Internet Sourcing 206
Tradespeople and Craftspeople 207
Construction Contractors 208
Selecting Trade Sources 209
11. The Project Management Process 215
What Is Project Management? 216
The Role of the Designer/Specifier 219
Bringing Value to Clients through Design 221
Phases of an Interior Design Project 222
Project Delivery Methods 231
Stakeholders 233
Selecting Project Teams 235
Plan Review Boards 236
Project Schedules 238
Project Budgeting 240
Managing and Recording Your Time 243
Project Files or Job Books 249
Building Information Modeling (BIM) 253
Value Engineering 254
12. Contract Documents and Specifications 257
Contract Documents 258
Specifications 262
Specifications Organization 267
Sustainable Product Specifications 269
Construction Agreement 270
Competitive Bidding 271
Modifications 280
Submittals 283
13. Contract Administration: Construction and Order Processing 287
Contract Administration: Construction 288
Contract Administration: Procurement and Order Processing 290
Shipping and Freight 306
Expediting 307
14. Contract Administration: Delivery and Project Closeout 311
Delivery and Installation 312
Project Closeout 316
Postoccupancy and Follow-Up 319
15. Creating and Managing an Interior Design Practice 325
Understanding Motivations and Risks of Business Ownership 326
Advantages and Disadvantages of Business Ownership 329
Functions of Management 331
Management Styles 334
Working Alone 335
The Stages of a Business 336
Buying an Existing Business 338
16. Advice and Counsel 343
Attorney 344
Accountant 345
Banker 346
Sources of Capital 347
Establishing Business Credit 349
Insurance 350
Technical Consultants 355
Sources of Information and Assistance 355
17. Preparing the Business Plan 361
The Business Plan 362
Start-Up Costs 366
Setting Up the Office 367
18. Business Formations 377
Sole Proprietorship 378
Partnerships 380
Limited Liability Company 383
Corporations 384
Joint Venture 389
19. Business Legal Filings and Licenses 393
Business Legal Filings 394
Licenses 397
Income Tax Basics 399
20. Strategic Planning: Designing the Future 405
The Importance of Planning 406
Strategic Planning Basics 407
Mission Statements 408
Business Analysis 409
Business Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics 412
Budgeting 412
Measuring Performance 414
Benchmarking 415
21. Money Management 419
Accounting Methods: Accrual versus Cash Accounting 420
Accounting Records and Systems 422
Basic Financial Reports: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows 426
Managing Your Finances 434
Controlling Overhead 444
Computer Applications for Accounting 445
22. Fundamentals of Marketing 449
Branding 450
Target Marketing 452
Establishing a Niche 454
The Four Ps of Marketing 455
Marketing Analysis 457
Marketing Plan 458
23. Promotional Basics 463
Promotion 464
Public Relations 465
Publicity 466
Press Releases 467
Advertising 469
Internet and Social Media Marketing 470
Referrals 477
Networking 478
24. Promotional Tools and Methods 483
The Graphic Image and Stationery 484
Photo Portfolio 487
Brochures 488
Competitions 488
Direct Mail 490
Publication 491
Proposals as a Marketing Tool 493
25. Selling Strategies 501
What Is Selling? 502
Selling Services versus Products 503
The Buyer Decision-Making Process 504
Buyer Demographics 505
Building Client Relationships 507
Selling Techniques 508
Negotiating 510
The Selling Process 512
26. Design Presentations 519
Presentations 520
The Initial Client Interview 521
Project Presentations 522
Closing Techniques 526
Overcoming Objections 528
Follow-Up 530
Additional Guidelines for Making Presentations 530
Good Impressions 531
27. Employee Management 537
The Agency Relationship 538
Job Classifications 541
Job Descriptions 545
Employment at Will 547
Employment Contracts 549
Independent Contractors 553
Compensation and Fringe Benefits 555
The Performance Evaluation 560
The Employee Handbook 561
Mentoring 563
Sexual Harassment 564
Federal Laws Regulating Employment 565
28. Goals and Career Options 571
A Personal Mission Statement 572
Personal and Professional Goals 572
Career Decisions 576
Design Career Specialties 577
29. The Job Search 587
The Search Is On 588
Resumés 591
Resumé Format 597
The Cover Letter 601
Portfolios 606
Digital Job Search Strategies 609
30. On the Job 619
How Employers Review Resumés and Cover Letters 620
The Job Interview 621
Typical Interview Questions 626
Illegal Questions 630
Follow-Up 630
Your First Job 631
On-the-Job Strategies 635
Making a Career Change 635
Appendix 641
Glossary 643
General References 665
Index 695