1. Creating a Design Plan
Working with Clients

2. Steps of the Design Process
Identify the Project
What room is to be decorated
Time frame client has in mind
Budget limitations

3. Steps of the Design Process
2. Access Client Characteristics
Family’s lifestyle, activities and entertaining style
Preferred atmosphere – formal vs. informal

4. Steps of the Design Process
3. Analyze the environment
Size of room, placement of doors and windows
Current furnishings and accessories
Lighting and safety
Traffic flow

5. Steps of the Design Process
4. Develop a preliminary budget
Determine cost of replacing items needed as well as labor and installation costs
Add contingency fee – an additional fee to cover unexpected costs – approximately 20% of projected cost

6. Steps of the Design Process
5. Compile a design resource file
Pictures from the client about possible likes and dislikes
Photos and designs of previous projects that you feel the client may like

7. Steps of the Design Process
6. Plan Use of Space
Purpose of room, features of room
Traffic patterns
Clearance space around furniture
Draw a floor plan & elevation drawings (what each wall will look like)

8. Steps of the Design Process
7. Choose a style and color scheme
Choose the style of furnishings and accessories from colonial, contemporary to modern
Use colors that will support the style and the feel desired in the room

9. Steps of the Design Process
8. Select backgrounds, furniture, lighting, and accessories
Decide on materials, colors, patterns and textures that go with the style of the room
Budget may limit one’s choices

10. Steps of the Design Process
9. Present the design
Pictorial drawing – show the viewer several surfaces of the objects in the room at the same time

11. Rendering – drawing in which the designer adds realistic details such as textures, shadows, and color

12. Presentation boards – the use of samples and illustrations to help the client visualize the finished project. (size of the samples are in relation to the size of the objects they will be used on)
Presentation is in three parts – introduction, discussion of the design and summary

13. Steps of the Design Process
10. Modify and implement the design
Make any changes the client desires
Develop a time line, ordering purchases, and scheduling installations
Time line is usually tied to the budget limitations
Communication with the client is vital in this phase.