One Trend That Outlasts The Others: Good Design Is About Good Design Process.

Design is not about trends. It is about defining a design process to get to successful conclusions.

With more than three decades of practice, I have come to a couple of conclusions about life in the desert valley.  But it doesn't matter where one is in the world, the design and the design process impacts the human experience on many levels.

So here's what I've been thinking about that.

Everyone in the design profession looks at design trends and interior designers. Clients are no different.  But if there is one trend that is classic and enduring it that good design process is good design.  No matter how you might slice it, design that functions as intended, that complements the client and provides them a higher quality of life will always been "in vogue."  And if it increased the value of the real estate in some way, even better.

It's not the colour du jour nor what the furniture designers create that makes the difference when it comes to trends.  It's about sitting down with a client, nose to nose, getting them to share their desires, goals and objectives... no matter whether the style is contemporary or classic. But how do you start such endeavors?

It starts with a through conversation about what clients hope and desire in the design of their spaces.  And as an experience designer, I can dig that information out and offer it back as credible design solutions.  So my first question asked during an initial client interview is this:  "How Did You Come To Realize That You Might Need The Services Of An Interior Designer?"  

With that open ended question and with many to follow, I can begin to visualize what I will need to do to match the client's expectations.  And being in alignment with the client makes all the difference in a successful client relationship.  During the course of that first meeting, it will be important to understand who all will be involved, what special needs that require attention and what the time frame is.  Designers also like to know if there are any requirements such as working with a preferred set of trades, incorporating any existing furnishings inventory and who will make all the final decisions.  

That's the design process that every client should expect no matter the designer, architect, builder and contractor.  It helps to define the scope of work so that there are no misunderstandings about who will be responsible and for what.   That's the design trend, trust and transparency that will further define the outcomes, something that should be the goal when a client interviews the designer and when the designer interviews the client.  

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