Architect or Building Designer

Architect or Building Designer - Who Do You Choose?

Executive Summary about Architect or Building Designer by Glenn Murray
Thinking of building a new home or complex? Will you use an architect or a building designer?


To be called an “architect” in NSW, you have to be registered with the Board of Architects of NSW. The title “building designer” can be used by anyone designing buildings.
Brian Basford is a building designer and treasurer of the Building Designers Association of NSW. Architect Gary Kurzer agrees that architects are more likely to be involved with more distinctive, “up-market” buildings. “Architects work to your budget just like building designers. Thanks to Gary Kurzer, Architect, 0411044448, and Brian Basford, Building Designer.
Q: Are architects and building designers the same thing?
Architects must be registered with the Board of Architects of NSW.
Q: Will I get a better design from an architect?
Architects are trained to deal with and manage all aspects of the building project. Q: Are Building designers “would-be” architects?
Many building designers have the qualifications to register with the Board of Architects but they choose not to because they don’t think the name “architect” is worth the ongoing cost of registration.
Q: Are architects more expensive?
An architect will work to your budget like a building designer. For example, find out if your architect is incorporating cost-saving measures into the building process. A: Call the Building Designers Association of NSW – Sydney (02) 49264855 or visit http://www.bdansw.com.au or http://www.bdaa.com.au/index.htm.
A: http://www.architecture.com.au - Royal Australian Institute of Architects
http://www.bdansw.com.au - Building Designers Association of NSW

Breaking Into Interior Design

Breaking Into Interior Design

By: Rosemary Leake

Breaking into interior design can be a time consuming process that is full of bumps along the way. Interior design is a tight knit industry that does not always greet new professionals with open arms. This article is focused on giving advice to the novice interior designer on breaking into interior design with lightning speed.

The first item on the agenda of breaking into interior design would be to be sure to have the proper skills before accepting any potential clients. If you have been formally trained in the area, great. This will likely be to your advantage when starting out because credentials accelerate your sellability. If you have not been formerly trained and would like the advantage of a certification to improve your resume while breaking into interior design, there are many interior design classes and training sessions available at local colleges, community colleges, online sessions, and learn-from-home academies.

Beware of scams, and be wary of any school or training that offers credentials without effort on your part. Part of the idea, after all, is to receive the training associated with the certification, not just the certificate!

Once you are satisfied with the amount of training you have received and the amount of credentials on your resume, it’s time to begin to understand the actual application of the interior design business. Breaking into interior design with no applied knowledge of the art is not advisable. Actually designing and arranging a space is much more complicated then it sounds and often more worrisome then explained in articles or textbooks, so it is probably best to begin with a familiar space that is yours (or someone who loves you!). This way, mistakes are tolerated and there is not much possibility of collateral damage if you happen to have an accident.

Small, subtle designs are a great way to begin your first design project. Remember that while breaking into interior design and your initial project are very exciting; don’t get wrapped up in the moment and make large, dramatic changes that you are likely to regret later. Along the same lines, it is probably in your best interest to begin with inexpensive, modest designs as opposed to extravagantly expensive ones. Budgets are important to most any consumers these days so keep this in mind while making any monetary decisions. If you feel like your idea might encompass a bit larger financial chunk then your client is ready to bite off, it�s better to run it by them with a cost analysis before hand rather then afterwards.

Okay, your first project (whether a paying one or volunteer job) was a complete and total success. You are now gaining the confidence and perspective that you will need while breaking into the interior design industry on larger jobs. Don’t get overconfident, when your first job is complete; always ask your first ‘client’ what they liked about the design, what made it work for them, and what you could have done better. You will gain insightful knowledge this way about how you can improve your chances of breaking into interior design that perhaps you were unable to view from your perspective.

Although it may appear to be easy, you will find after your first job is complete that breaking into interior design is a somewhat more difficult task then it may sound to be.

Successful interior designers generally have an established portfolio as well as an established clientele. Generating returning customers is an excellent way to prove to prospective clients your talent and dedication to a high standard of design. Many customers you are established with will promote your business just by divulging your name and contact information to guests in their homes or offices who admire the new style you have created for them. Remember, although it may seem difficult at first, interior design can be a very fun, fulfilling career with which you can earn a great living.
About the Author

Rosemary Leake is an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at Home. Inspired by Southern Living magazine, our exclusive home d�cor line brings warmth and style to every room of your home! Visit Rosemary’s Interior Design website for more articles and resources - http://www.interiordesignprofits.com. Also get your FREE Mini-Report: “A Complete Guide To Interior Design.”

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Rosemary Leake

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days. From television shows to magazines, the industry is trying to teach the consumer how to design cheap. In the past, ideas such as cheap design shows would have left most interior designers horrified. The industry of interior design has changed dramatically over the past few years in order to better accommodate consumers.

In it’s early to mid stages of evolution, interior design was an industry of prestige. Now, due to the demand for cost-cutting design for the average customer, designing on a budget and cheap interior design has become a topic of much interest and acceptance. Of course, you will always find the designers who absolutely insist that durability and style of a design is identifiable with the name brand associated with the contents therein, which relates back to the price tag. Most everyday people do not relate to this line of thinking therefore it has become increasingly unpopular within the normal ranks of the professionals in the industry.

A secret tool to marvelous rooms created using cheap interior design ideas is good decision making. By purchasing some slightly more expensive key items in a room’s furniture and cost-cutting on the smaller items or accessories you can save big bucks and still achieve the same look that is achieved in other more expensive, name brand rooms. The first question that pops into your mind here is likely to be, alright, simple concept, now where do I buy the bargain items?

Easily answered! Your hunt for cheap interior design ideas and items can begin successfully at any bargain-type store. The stores and availability of items in these stores will vary according to your location. Many times, there are locally known ‘bargain bins’ or stores at which you can by slightly-damaged or used items at a fraction of the cost associated with similar store bought items. When buying at these stores, be careful not to overspend. Many of us have a tenancy to get overly enthused and purchase items that are not good bargains or ones that we are not very likely to use. Save your money for where it counts. If you bargain shop for long enough, you will find the perfect items that fit into your lifestyle and space, just waiting for you to purchase!

Some accessories are easier to find bargains on then others. If you search and search for a certain item and are unable to find it, try to improvise or select another similar item to take its’ place. Cheap interior design ideas are abundant to the creative thinker who is willing to overcome obstacles with unusual, cheap solutions. Keep your mind open to all possibilities and applications of furniture a pulled-together solution adds style and a conversation piece to any room.

Other places you can find cheap interior design ideas are yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets. Remember again when shopping in areas such as this that it is easy to get caught up in the moment and overspend. Take your time and comb the items carefully for objects of value. Many times in these type of sales the physically larger items tend to sell for more then cost value and the smaller valuable items are looked over in haste. Cheap interior design ideas are not limited to large items! If you find a good deal on an accessory or such, especially If it is part of a group or collection of items, buy it and use it to accentuate your other items.

Cheap interior design ideas are easy to find these days, you just have to know the right places to look and the right items to purchase. Time is the essential element in designing cheaply. Patience pays off in most any situation, including interior design!

About the Author

Rosemary Leake is an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at Home. Inspired by Southern Living magazine, our exclusive home d’cor line brings warmth and style to every room of your home! Visit Rosemary’s Interior Design website for more articles and resources - http://www.interiordesignprofits.com. Also get your FREE Mini-Report: “A Complete Guide To Interior Design.”