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THE
LIST
Hits and Misses
Where designers and clients agree, disagree.
To find out
what clients really want from interior designers, the American Society
of Interior Designers (ASID) sponsored a series of independent research
studies beginning in 1996. ASID conducted four studies, each asking
interior designers what they believe clients value in working with
a designer, then asking clients the same questions.
Four themes emerged.
1. Understanding—taking the time to listen
and understand what the client wants, acting as a consultant rather
than imposing design ideas.
2. Coordination—organizing and integrating
all aspects of a project.
3. Experience—showing the skills and experience
necessary to do the job, being professional in conduct and execution.
4. Budget issues—looking out for the client’s
money weather it’s maximizing the dollars available or avoiding
costly mistakes.
In general, designers and clients were aligned on understanding
and coordination, but had different priorities when in came to experience
and budget issues. Clients mentioned experience less often than
designers and while budget issues were the least talked about by
both groups, designers talked about budget more often than clients.
In a report released at its Interiors 06 conference in mid-March,
ASID offered tips for effectively relating to design clients.
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TIPS FOR RELATING EFFECTIVELY WITH
DESIGN CLIENTS: |
Understanding
• Listen to client first and foremost.
• Ask questions, discuss goals.
• Make sure client knows you are going to find the right
solution.
Coordination
• Focus on being responsible for getting the job done
right.
• Don’t talk about the process involved.
• Show how you can create an integrated look.
Experience
• Show credentials, but relate them to the client’s
project.
• Don’t overemphasize previous projects.
• Focus on what you can to today that will work for the
client.
Budget Issues
• Discuss how to avoid costly mistakes.
• Establish a budget with the client and work within it.
• Don’t say “low cost” or “inexpensive;
instead, say “this is the smartest or best choice because
. . .”
Source: “Know Your Client: Fundamentals for Effective
Relationships,” 2006, ASID. |
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