Metropolitan Institute of Design

MID Instructor Christine A. Bushell Highlighted in Newsday

2010-04-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

An Earth-Friendly, Euro-Style Kitchen
HUNTINGTON, NY - When Christine A. Bushell, owner of SynerCh'i Feng Shui Solutions, and her husband, Rick Bushell, purchased their home in Huntington Village, they knew they wanted to adhere to feng shui principles. They also wanted an eco-friendly makeover. This included choosing the east side of the house for the kitchen, an important room in feng shui, to harness the maximum ch'i from the rising sun. "When you're preparing food to nourish your family, it is important that you have that energy and positive ch'i," says Christine Bushell, 51. Rick, 47, an executive with British Airways, also adheres to feng shui practices. TOTAL: $40,553 Includes $8,000 in construction and installation costs by TB Remodeling Corp. of West Babylon, an eco contractor. Electrical work ($2,200) done by G.B. Power Inc. in Huntington Village. Bushell said her usual fee for a makeover of this type would start at $2,700. - By Sylvia E. King-Cohen

BEFORE. Christine, who teaches the diploma course in Universal Feng Shui at the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Syosset, offered this advice to those starting out on a renovation: Finding a good eco-conscious contractor who sources products for you is a great help. Christine estimated that going green can add 20 percent or more to a job. "We felt our health is worth the investment." Photo Credit: Handout

AFTER. Christine and Rick Bushell's redesigned kitchen. "We used no-VOC paint, products with no petrochemicals, even green Sheetrock, and we had the granite countertop honed to cut down on electromagnetic energy. Typical granite emits radon gases and off-gassing can last up to 7 years." (April 2010) Photo Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
An Earth-Friendly, Euro-Style Kitchen

Employment and Outlook for Interior Designers

2010-04-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Employment

Interior designers held about 71,700 jobs in 2008. About 30 percent of interior designers worked in specialized design services. Additionally, 14 percent of interior designers provided design services in architectural and landscape architectural services and 9 percent worked in furniture and home-furnishing stores. Many interior designers also performed freelance work in addition to holding a salaried job in interior design or another occupation.

Job Outlook

Employment is expected to grow faster than average; however, keen competition for jobs is expected.

Employment change. Employment of interior designers is expected to grow 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. An increasing interest in interior design and awareness of its benefits will increase demand for designers. As businesses realize the improvements that can be made to worker and customer satisfaction through good design, they will use interior designers to redesign their offices and stores.
Homeowners are increasingly using the services of interior designers when they plan new additions, remodel aging kitchens and bathrooms, and update the general décor of their home. Many homeowners also have requested design help in creating year-round outdoor living spaces and home theater systems.

Demand for interior design services from the healthcare industry is expected to be high because of an anticipated increase in demand for facilities that will accommodate the aging population. Designers will be needed to make these facilities as comfortable and homelike as possible for patients. There will also be demand from businesses in the hospitality industry—hotels, resorts, and restaurants—where good design work can help attract more business.
Some interior designers choose to specialize in one design element to create a niche for themselves in an increasingly competitive market. The demand for kitchen and bath design is growing in response to the growing demand for home remodeling. Designs using the latest technology in, for example, home theaters, state-of-the-art conference facilities, and security systems are expected to be especially popular. In addition, demand for home spas, indoor gardens, and outdoor living space should continue to increase.

Extensive knowledge of ergonomics and green design are expected to be in demand. Ergonomic design has gained in popularity with the growth in the elderly population and workplace safety requirements. The public's growing awareness of environmental quality and the growing number of individuals with allergies and asthma are expected to increase the demand for green design.

Job prospects. Interior designers are expected to face keen competition for available positions because many talented individuals are attracted to this profession. Individuals with little or no formal training in interior design, as well as those lacking creativity and perseverance, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in this occupation. Designers with formal training or experience in green or energy efficient-design in particular are expected to have better job prospects due to increased interest in this area.
As the economy grows, more private businesses and consumers will request the services of interior designers. However, design services are considered a luxury expense and may be subject to fluctuations in the economy. For example, decreases in consumer and business income and spending caused by a slow economy can have a detrimental effect on employment of interior designers.

What is An Interior Designer?

2010-04-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Interior designers are creative, imaginative and artistic. They also need to be disciplined, organized and skilled business people. Combining knowledge with aesthetic vision, interior designers work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are safe, functional, attractive and meet the needs of the people using the space.

As is the case with any career, the practice of interior design can be rewarding and fulfilling if hard work prevails. Excelling at interior design requires energy, technical proficiency, vision and dedication.

Keys to Success

As members of a service profession, interior designers’ fortunes depend on their ability to satisfy clients. Thus, they must understand artistic and technical requirements of a project, interpersonal communication, and management strategies.

Artistic and Technical Requirements
Interior designers must know how to plan a space and how to present that plan visually so that it can be communicated to the client. Interior designers must also know about the materials and products that will be used to create and furnish the space, and how texture, color, lighting and other factors combine and interact to make a space. In addition, interior designers must understand the structural requirements of their plans, the health and safety issues, building codes, and many other technical aspects.

Interpersonal Communications
Interior designers must be comfortable meeting and dealing with many kinds of people. They must communicate clearly and effectively, as well as be attentive listeners. Because they often must work with architects, contractors and other service providers, interior designers need to be both good team leaders and good team players. They must be willing to negotiate and mediate when necessary to solve problems.

Management Strategies
Interior designers must have excellent time and project management abilities since they frequently work on more than one project at a time under demanding deadlines. Interior designers must understand business planning, and they need to know how to sell their ideas to clients, create informative and persuasive proposals and presentations, and maintain good client relationships. Learn more with Metropolitan Institute of Design