Interior Design Client Research 101: Key Steps to Take Before Your Meeting
As we have discussed in previously, the Design Consultation is an important step in the Client Journey. To create a great impression, and to position ourselves as an expert in the interior design space, we need to thoroughly research our client prior to the meeting. This may seem a little forward, but remember that you are only there for a couple of hours at the most and you only have this time to provide your client with valuable advice that goes beyond the generic.
In this blog post, I am going to outline the steps you can take to research your interior design clients before your consultation.
Who are they?
The first thing to do is to get some idea of who they are. You may want to take a quick look at their social media. such as Instagram or Facebook, to get a better sense of their style, brand, and interests. This can also give you an idea of the styles of interior design they like, what inspires them and what is important to them. You may get a sense of how they live, if they have a family and what they do in their spare time.
If they are a commercial client, you might want to take a look at their website to understand their style, aesthetic, and the type of projects/work they do.
Location, location, location
The next step is to research the site’s location. You might want to check out the area on Google Maps’ Street View and get an impression of the location and the building itself. You could look at the surrounding facilities and check out local businesses and transport. Is there anything special or difficult about the property that you can tell?
Research the area
Next, head over to a real estate site, such as Domain if you are Australia or Zillow if you are in the US. I haven’t found anything really similar in the UK. Check out the types of houses and buildings that are available in the area. You will be looking at block sizes, demographics. Also make a note of the prices of properties in that area. Are their differences in price between renovated and unrenovated? What is the style of the renovations? Check this against the budget that the client indicated in the discovery call. Is the budget workable? You can read more about assessing your client’s budget here.
If your project is a commercial one, you may want to check their competiton. Look at the websites and social media profiles of the client's competition to understand how they position themselves and their design style. This can help you understand what sets your client apart and how you can tailor your approach.
Check your notes
Now you have done this research, refer back to your notes that you made on your discovery call and highlight pertinent information that may affect your design. You should take note of timing, budgets, needs of the client, any likes or dislikes they have. Tailor your questions to their needs. Ensure that you address all their requests in the design consultation.
Prepare a list of questions
Now that you have some information, prepare a list of questions that are based on your research, to ask the client during the meeting to understand their needs, preferences, and goals. You will have a deeper understanding of issues that your clients will mention during the meeting and you will be able to provide more strategic advice.
By taking these steps to research your interior design clients before a meeting, you can better understand their needs, preferences, and goals, and tailor your approach to meet their unique needs. You will impress your client with your knowledge and expertise and establish trust and confidence in your skills as an interior designer.
Hi 👋🏽 I’m Joanne!
I’m an interior designer, educator and business coach. After studying Economics and Education at uni, the design world beckoned, drawing me to Christie’s in London, where I completed post-grad studies in art & design and then to Hong Kong, where I founded Eclectic Cool, a design firm and design store. . Eclectic Cool represented international brands such as Gubi, &tradition, HAY, Armadillo Rugs & Dinosaur Designs to name a few. My work and store have been featured in Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decor, Expat Living, Cathay Pacific inflight magazines, South China Morning Post and the ABC (Australia) network and more. I live on the south coast of Australia on a country property between the beautiful Australian bush and the Pacific Ocean with my husband and cavoodle. I’m the mum of three adult children.
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