Designing spaces

Interior designing for a living

by SHEERE NG

FROM ISSUE # 149 (May 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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There is always too little space for so many things, and too many designs to establish a unifying style. Don't forget the ugly vase given by your friend as a house-warming gift. Moving to a new home can be such a pain, so it is no wonder why more middle and upper class people are spending thousands on interior designers, to be told by a total stranger where to place their bed. Do not be mistaken, we're not here to remind you of the money you do not have, but the market demand suggests a chance of establishing a career out of others' excessive cash. WAVE interviews interior designers and institutes to check out this burgeoning career.

There is design and…
The name does not necessarily define its job scope. It maybe termed interior design, but since many upper middle-class Nepali homes include a garden, backyard and rooftop, designers should also have the capability to perform magic on these spaces.

Being an interior designer doesn't give you the license to knock down any walls you want, nor transform the toilet into a walk-in-wardrobe. Where aesthetics is concerned, clients still prefer to have a roof over their head and running water when they turn on the tap. Therefore, a successful design requires team work with the carpenter, electrician and plumber. Unlike art that can be subjective and may sometimes be mistaken for an accidental spill over, interior designing works within certain rules, for example, to harmonise design and purpose.

As a house should be the representation of its owners, not the designer, the biggest mistake an interior designer can make is to be too caught up with his ideologies. "Interior designers should not only be knowledgeable in their own field, but also their clients'," says interior designer Milan Shrestha. A design for commercial structures, such as banks, will only be functional and effective when the designer understands the work flow within the spaces.

On top of these, some cultural issues, like Vaastu Shastra, make it slightly more challenging to be an interior designer. It is believed that calculated positioning can bring luck, fortune or romance. Therefore, it will be a bonus if interior designers can incorporate the art of astrology to their designs. Here's a challenge: what if by placing the table 54 degrees in the north-east direction, which is suppose to bring fortune, will cost females in the family their beauty, but removing it altogether will give the pet dog intestinal problems?

Money talk
A full time interior designer earns on a fixed payroll of about Rs 6,000 to 10,000. As for freelancers, the monthly earnings fluctuate, all depending on the number of projects one's hands and brains can handle. It is also up to the freelancer how much he/she wants to charge each project, usually based on the scale and its complexity. But don't think you can vacuum the money out of your client's pocket anyhow you like. Only when you are good, can you demand more.

Building the foundation
Every profession needs a strong foundation. Interior designing students begin by drawing simple objects such as doors. Then they move on to more drawings, but presenting it from different views, such as isometric, perspective, elevation and bird's eye view. Designers have to ensure their design looks appealing from whichever angle it is seen. However, computer programs help make the task much easier and more efficient.

The basic requirement to take the course is to pass the SLC. The length of the courses can be one or two years, costing about Rs 30,000 per annum. Students shouldn't expect themselves to be capable of handling all sorts of projects upon graduation, says Manju Lama, chief operation officer at INIFD, as one's ability gets better with experience. She suggests students to do internships alongside the course to gain more hands-on experience. There are, however, some students who are capable enough to take up small freelancing projects while learning, usually through the recommendation of their institutes.

Places to Study
Nepal:
International Institute of Fashion Technology, Kupondole
IEC, Bagbazaar
Inter National Institute of Fashion Design, Lazimpat Lakhotia Institute of Art and Design, Kupondole
National Institute of Art and Fashion Technology, Kupondole

India:
Exterior – Interiors, Delhi
JJ School of Arts, Mumbai
National Institute of Fashion Design, Chandigarh
School of Interior Design, Ahmedabad
School of Interior Design, Bangalore