1patch These examples are GREAT

kennedytarheel Wonderful ideas that apply to life in general!

denisue So true.

Dressing the Home These graphics illustrate the fact that not everyone calling themselves a designer is actually educated in programming. There are also those instances where it is the duty of the designer to explain honestly and tactfully why a client's idea won't work and try to come up with an appealing alternative. Interior design is a collaborative art and the key to a successful outcome is good communication between both parties. I must also add that architecture and interior design are two different disciplines; however, in the case of these graphics, the word architect could be substituted for the word designer.

True Identity Concepts I love it when a plan comes together! Collaboration (Architect+Designer) + (Service+Art)=Awesomeness

Pascale Oh, thanks for the much needed laugh this morning, Jody! We're in the midst of interviewing architects, and so many of these graphs perfectly capture the hope and anxiety we're experiencing. ( By the way, all of your stuff pretty much nails what we've been going through - so glad to have discovered you and your blog - the imaginary conversations between architects and clients are brilliant! it's been great stress relief....)

Sean Catherall, AIA Jody, I disagree with this post in its entirety. A designer's job is to find ideas, strategies, materials, methods, forms and colors that accomplish the owner's goals. Period. If an owner has to compromise those goals, he or she has hired the wrong designer. The only compromises necessary are: 1. to bring the project goals in alignment with one another (scope, quality expectations, budget and schedule) and 2. to bring the project goals in alignment with the applicable building codes, safety and access laws and zoning laws. In short, designers whose ideas do not coincide with their clients' should be fired. Pure and simple.

riconsd Very true but you forgot the Counties vector, they can pull the resultant totally off desired path.

Now I need to clean the coffee off the monitor.

logicbutton @spcatherall, I disagree that you disagree. See how the graph showing the most successful project is #9? That's the one where the client and designer are in alignment, and the designer takes cues from the client. In contrast, the "compromise" graphs, #1 and #6, lead to less satisfying outcomes (a shorter arrow, symbolizing a less effective result, and "nobody's idea," respectively).

stefano galli Greetings from Italy
Perhaps a good architect is like a good actor .. must interpret different parts, different desires of projects while remaining himself always a bit of himself

Mackin Drafting & Design As much as we try to acheive #9, I wonder how many times this really happens?

Sean Catherall, AIA logicbutton, my gripe with diagram #9 is this: It implies that the ideal designer is one whose ideas are the same as the owner's. In my experience, the designer's ONLY job is to find ideas that serve the owner's goals. For example, it doesn't matter if the designer's ideas for getting his design published in a major magazine happen to be the same as the owner's ideas to improve his or her living space. The designer should have no agenda but to serve the owner. Period.

arielleabella I'll put it like this. I hire someone to do my taxes because I'm not an accountant. I go to the salon because I can't cut my own hair. You hire a professional to a job and provide a service, that is simply too much for you to take on. There comes a point when a client should let the designer take the reigns. A true designer, will take their clients personality, needs, wants/desires, and translate it into a cohesive space. It is the designers job to focus the client and bring a tasteful finished product to the table. When clients have too much control, the process is stifled and can truly take forever with a mediocre result. I suggest if you are a "hands on " or controlling person, avoid hiring an interior designer. Perhaps someone like this is looking for an Interior Design Consultant or simply a Furniture builder to build custom pieces to their own personal specifications.

Sean Catherall, AIA It is the idea that the designer should "take the reigns" that makes people reluctant to hire designers--they take the reigns and run off in the wrong direction. When we hire professionals, we hire them to accomplish the goals that we set forward. If they have a different agenda, that is a conflict of interest.

arielleabella Spcartherall "Taking the reigns" does not have to have a negative connotation. The designer should provide direction. If you take note, in my previous statement, I expressed "A true designer, will take their clients personality, needs, wants/desires, and translate it into a cohesive space." One should look for a designer that has a similar style/taste, not to mention a designer that you can get a long with personality wise. Perhaps you need to open your mind, not get caught up in verb-age and let the artist do their job (which is to create a space that is beautiful and functional to their client's needs). They are the professional and should know better then to sacrifice the individuals desires. Ever heard of the saying "too many chiefs?" I have NEVER met a designer that was hired by a client and completely disregarded their needs, in an attempt to fulfill their own agenda. Just saying..

Sean Catherall, AIA arielleabella, here is an example of the only kind of "taking the reigns" that should be done by designers: Owner: "I'd like to open up this space, make it feel larger and make it feel more connected to the back yard." Designer: "Great, here are three ways I recommend for doing that within the budget. Which seems best to you?"

I have been practicing architecture for 25 years and my experiences have shown me that this is the only way of having a positive project outcome, a positive client outcome and to get addition work and referrals. The arrogance of telling the owner what he or she should want is what ruins a designer's business, gets him or her fewer projects (and worse ones) and ruins the reputation of the profession.

arielleabella spcatherall, so you agree with my previous statements? Because I have not indicated that a designer should be arrogant in any way. The designer/ architect/ professional are there to facilitate the needs of their client.

Sean Catherall, AIA arellebella: As I've expressed above, I disagree with Jody's original post; I disagree with the idea that "It is the designers job to...bring a tasteful finished product to the table" if doing that requires them to subvert the owner's intentions; I disagree with the idea that a client can have "too much control" (if they're not happy with the outcome, they've gotten exactly what they asked for; if the designer isn't happy with the outcome, tough cookies). Contrary to your experiences, I do know of designers that have disregarded their clients' needs, attempting to educate them and to tell them what they should want, rather than to give them what they want. That is the implication of the original post.

Sean Catherall, AIA I also want to add: I've spoken to hundreds of potential clients over the past 2+ years and few of them are interested in hiring a designer and prefer to do it themselves. All of those individuals (even the few who were interesting in hiring a designer) expressed the same two reservations. The first is cost. The second is losing control of the project.

arielleabella Spcatherall, it is a shame that you view interior designers in such a negative light. I work at an interior design firm and we are constantly recommending architects. You should consider supporting professionals that work in your field vs critiquing them. Bottom line people hire designers to expedite the process of decorating their home. There is nothing wrong with utilizing this service. There is an understanding of the clients desires and it's upto the designer to execute the process. They are there to more or less coach the client on designing their home. Communication is key! Good day Sir.

Nicolette Tiedemann Most of the clients do not even know what they really want - at the best they might think they know. I would say number 9 is the easiest outcome but rare in reality. So you are mostly facing a challenge between the client' s idea and a good design so that you are not looking stupid as an architect because you unfortunately did only what your client wanted. I like the challenge too.

Sean Catherall, AIA arielleabella, I don't have a negative view of interior designers. I am reporting what my clients and potential clients are saying about all designers--interior, architectural, landscape, lighting, mechanical, structural, etc. I am part of that group. My comments are not intended to blame anyone, but to find a way out of our current dilemma together.

Sean Catherall, AIA Nicolette, in my opinion, the idea that clients don't know what they want but think they do is arrogance and is the downfall of all design professions. I think we would do better individually and collectively if we trusted our clients at least enough to give them what they ask for and what they deserve.

Sean Catherall, AIA One more thing: trusting clients and giving them what they ask for certainly does not preclude making recommendations. But recommendations should always be accompanied with, "We'll do what you prefer to do. What do you think about my recommendation?"

Dressing the Home Spca - So what is your degree in, interior design, architecture, landscape architect, ??? Just curious.

Sean Catherall, AIA I'm a licensed architect. I've led many large design teams that include architectural designers, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers and other allied professionals.

Dressing the Home Thank you for your response. I have worked with 2 very talented architects over the years on the occasional project. I can't say that I have ever had a client who could afford an architect make the statement that interior designers were too costly or feared losing control to the interior designer. The reason that they include me in their projects (and I them) is because of the mutual respect we share, not only for each other, but for our professions. I have usually found that those who don't want to hire a designer because of the perceived cost and loss of control, also don't want to hire an architect for the same reasons and go straight to a draftsman or general contractor with cookie cutter plans and the do-it-yourself approach.

Sheila Schmitz Another interpretation of slide 9: Client sets the direction, hires designer to help take his/her vision further into awesomeness. The arrow isn't changing direction at all, it's going further. If you can't always order up a Brilliant Idea out of nowhere, seems like a pretty cool outcome to me.

Sean Catherall, AIA DTH: Yes, I think our experiences are similar. My assertion about owners who resist hiring a designer was meant to encompass all designers, including architectural designers. I think owners who understand the need for an architect also understand the need for an interior designer and other professionals.

taureg I fired one of Houzz's top designers whose work I like - because they wouldn't listen. Very frustrating - and expensive.

riconsd I thought 9 showed the designer is the client doing a project that only they will live in.

BTW do architects and interior designers see them selves as artists, artisans, or craftspeople?

szerbib So great not to feel alone!

Connexionsoft Interior Design Software Jody - i have to stop following you b/c it hurts when I laugh this hard.

rolmeister Jodi, the dynamic force of your perception is always provocative.