Any space, either public or private, should be safe and functional. Once these criteria are met, we need to consider the place’s appearance. Sometimes, subconsciously this aspect proves to be more important than others. Many persons will avoid precarious or unaesthetic places. The modern society values image in all aspects of life, including interior decoration. A designer manages exactly these aspects: image, safety and functionality.
A designer’s role is to ensure that a space’s arrangement is according to the beneficiary’s expectancies, that it is aesthetic, that it ensures emotional and physical comfort, that it is practical, safe and that it will generate a pleasant atmosphere. The space we live or work in reflects our own personality, that’s why a designer will have the skills to consider the elements important for the beneficiary and to combine them so that the style, the colors and the space’s functionality to be optimal. We have to remember that the designer is also involved in the space’s functionality not just the image and visual impact. The designer will know how to choose and arrange the furniture pieces for instance in order them to be exactly on your taste and at hand. So the designer creates an environment that is functional, safe and efficient and also improves the quality of it either it is a work or living space.
Maybe some of you will state: “Ok, I can handle all these things myself”. It might be true, but this way you will actually become a decorator rather than a designer. A designer is professionally prepared for planning and arranging spaces. Designers have to pass different exams and to be licensed in order to deal with spaces arrangements. Both designers and decorators are focused on aesthetic, style; designers however own learnt and complete skills that include a very good understanding of: place’s safety – evaluation of risk of fire; smoke; fireproof materials; flame spreading; standards regarding the needs of handicapped or elder people; knowledge of ergonomics; quality or quantity of light pieces; acoustics and sound transmission; differences between public or private spaces and also constructions.
A decorator works with the décor, surface – paint, fabric, furniture, lamps and other materials whereas the designer has to see further that the aesthetic part and to ensure safety and an optimal functionality of spaces.
