Tushar Mittal chalks out careers one can pursue in the growing industry of business interior design
When it comes to business, keeping up an appearance is often as essential as the internal operations of a company. This makes way for an escalating demand for business interior gurus in the corporate world. Home to a rising majority of middle class population with accelerating disposable incomes, India has shown tremendous opportunity in the interior designing market, which has seen consistent growth in the past decade. A recent exciting trend has been a shift in focus from only household projects to big corporate offices, catering especially to business needs.
While a particular company may be an intangible asset, it can still project its brand image and personality with the help of a tangible asset — the office. From impressing clients with an elegant and classy setup in the office area to boosting the morale of the employees with bright, fun and vibrant interior designs in the workplace, businesses can benefit from stressing on interior design.
As more and more companies hire business interior experts to enhance their brand image and productivity level, the market opens up quite a few exciting career opportunities for design management professionals.
Interior Designer
In this field, an interior designer is a basic necessity and perhaps, the starting point. Business interior designing includes working hand-in-hand with the architects of an office building to build and design the internal structure and placements. This involves attention to both style and work management while constructing the basic layout for any business.
People possessing good knowledge about architecture and building measurements are well suited for such positions. A background in engineering as well as one in fashion, with specialisation in interior designing, can be an added bonus.
Interior & Art Decorator
Many people often confuse the work of an interior designer with that of an interior decorator. There is a major distinction between the two. While interior designing is more about structuring and making a difference in the internal architectural design, decoration focuses on customising and filling in the inner space instead. This includes selection of furniture, tiles, paintings and many other show pieces to adorn the walls and the floor. Spacing and placement of these items, especially furniture and integral components, like computers and operating systems, is part of the job description.
Creative people with an eye for detail are the ideal candidates for such jobs. An education in fashion with specialisation in interior decoration and some form of experience in art direction is desirable.
Refurbishment Expert
It could be a recommendation by a Feng Shui expert or even a design psychologist. Or the business management might simply desire a change. The fact is that refurbishment is an important function of any business interior designing firm. You can customise your workplace to suit the needs of the occupants and also analyse how a change in placement of work equipment can increase productivity.
At the same time, you can concentrate on the psychology of colours to repaint and revamp the entire office.
Even though the job description may be similar to that of interior and art decorators, the thinking process tends to differentiate the two. Often, Feng Shui experts and design psychologists work with decorators to achieve the final result.
Construction Coordinator
One of the major factors differentiating an interior designing house project to a business interior project is the vastness of the operations in terms of size, quantity and budget allocation. At this point, the role of a consultant during construction becomes exceedingly important.
Resolution of contractor issues, mediating and coordinating between various parties involved in the completion of a project and an overall supervisory role is what constitutes the work of a construction coordinator. Perhaps, the most important function of the coordinator from the point of view of a business is the reduction in escalating costs and timely completion.
Basics of engineering expertise and a financial management background are required.
Entrepreneur
If you are better off leading the way than following orders and have sufficient experience in interior designing, then a business interior entrepreneur is a more worthy job title. Find a sincere team of architects, designers and managers who share your vision and you can be successful in this blooming business.
Design companies are cashing in on this trend too. For instance, Studiokon Ventures offers services ranging from interior designing and decorating, to renovation and relocation management, entailing a diverse selection of jobs for architects, designers, art directors, constructors and many more.
The writer is founder and Managing Director of Studiokon Ventures