How to Implement an Effective Interior Design Process
In my coaching sessions, one of the things that I emphasise to my students is the importance of having a design process. This is the path that you and your client with travel throughout your design project.
How do you formulate an effective design process?
One of the first things I do in a coaching session is to get my client to walk me through the most recent project that he or she completed. We go through it step by step, and we talk in detail about what went right and what went wrong.
We plot out these events on a timeline and then dig deep into the reasons behind the success and failure of the project. In every project, there are elements of both.
It is here that we start mapping out our design process. This is different for all designers ( and it should be because it is part of your ‘uniqueness’ or USP. By getting analytical, we can bring our actions down into stages, and once this is done, we repeat the good and improve the bad! We tailor our system to fit the need of our ideal client and our ideal projects.
In most design practices, the interior design process follows a standard route. We move from the inquiry stage to onboarding to the design stage, procurement and purchasing, installation and completion. As I mentioned, it is not what you are doing but how you do it.
Elements of an effective design process
It has to be simple:
there is no point in having a very complex system because if it is too much work, you won’t follow it. If you have ever received a package with a lot of annoying packing that takes ages to remove, then you can empathise with this feeling. You just want to get down to the goodies inside the box.
It has to be repeatable:
A good system has a series of easy-to-follow steps completed a certain way. Standard operating procedures are in place, and everyone involved in the process has a clear understanding of the role that they play and how to play that role. Nothing is left to chance.
It has to be documented:
Everything in your process has to be documented in a system that is accessible to anyone who needs it. It could take the form of PDF guides for your client, which lays out your design timeline and what they can expect. It could be a series of email templates you embed into your CRM system and can be automated and accessed. It could be a procedure for saving the packing materials on install day so that you can easily return unwanted items. Every element of your process should be well thought out and used, and tested.
I t should be constantly improved:
Your system should be ever-evolving. It is not something that you put into place, and expect that you never touch it again. After every project, a series of evaluations should take place, reviewing what worked and what didn’t and revising improved processes.
A sound system will mean that your service offering is efficient and consistent and will lead to great results in your interior design business. Need some help putting it all together? I can help! Reach out to me at joanne@studioluxicon.com
I’m putting together a training for the interior design client journey. This will consist of a series of video training and 65 emails and guide templates for every step along the client journey. Consistent communication as part of your design system is one of the fundamental elements to your success as a designer. Sign up to the waitlist here.
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.
