Drafters, Decorators, Designers & Architects...Oh My!

This is me...a little bit super annoyed, because I'm so positive that I had a draft of this post saved last week & ready to be finished this this week...& I can't find it anywhere. So, alas, we start again. Grumbling.

Ok, last post we discussed that there are soooo many different niches within the interior design realm, and that it's super important to have a really good level of self awareness in order to decide which niche & path is best for you. (Run on sentence much?)

This week, we're going to address a somewhat more base level, practical differentiation between the titles listed above...in the title. :)

What is a DRAFTER? A drafter creates the structural & layout technical drawings for projects. It's a role that can be freelance, or a part of a team...every once in a while I come across a small firm of just drafters that service other firms. Drafting is relevant in both Interior Design & Architecture. Much less relevant in an Interior Decorators world, but not unheard of. Also to be noted, often, Interior Designers & Architects draft on their own or are at least trained/experienced in it.

While I recommend in nearly all my videos, & in The Essentials Package, that everyone going into Interior Design become efficient in at least one drafting software...that doesn't mean that your path will only be drafting. That depends on so many other factors, discussed in previous post.

Key factor here is that a designer & an architect can also draft. But a drafter is absolutely not necessarily a designer or architect. Make sense?

What is a DECORATOR? A decorator generally deals with furnishings & surface layer materials. Meaning, they wont be changing any structural layouts & if they are doing some sort of construction, it will be more superficial. Example would be paint, tiles & swapping existing light fixtures. They won't be doing anything that requires hiring a full contractor, or permits. They also aren't likely to be giving full design & technical drawings or 3D renderings. Decorators are also much more likely to work more directly & constantly with clients than designers. In my experience, decorators are often more of a one man show, perhaps with an assistant. I have never heard of a Decorator Firm BUT that doesn't mean it doesn't exist or can't exist. Decorators also do not require an official license anywhere (to my knowledge) whereas in some states, to call yourself a designer, you require some sort of accreditation & licensure.

You may have come across a designer who was called a decorator & had their feathers ruffled by it. The reason for that is...decorators are awesome, however, designers do a great deal more from a technical design standpoint & that includes more responsibility & liability too. It's like calling a plastic surgeon an aesthetician. Both are great & necessary. One has more technical ability, experience & liability.

What is a DESIGNER? An Interior Designer has the ability to take one space & totally transform it into another, by moving & changing the structure, plumbing, wiring etc.. Or, to design a space entirely from scratch. A designer usually can not do this on their own, and work on some level in partnership with an architect. Designers & their firms can create drawings that look like architectural drawings but often need some input from architects or at the very least, an architects stamp in order to be approved for building permits.

Designers should have a decent awareness of building codes, compliance concerns & a strong understanding of the science involved in space planning & functional layouts.

What is an ARCHITECT? Architects are the real wizards behind building structures. Often they have a design sense & ability. Very often architectural firms offer design services with structural material designs of buildings, even if they don't have an inhouse design team offering full scope design services. They are a necessary factor in any new build construction & any serious structural changes. They have expertise in areas such as acoustics, safety & stability, & functionality in terms of layout. In the best case scenarios, a client will hire a design team & the architectural team at the same time. This is the most efficient case as both are necessary to start the project with their expert perspectives. If not, often there is back tracking in the design & drawings that need to be changed causing delays & frustration. There is a heavy lack of awareness in this area leading this to most often not be the case in how projects are started.

While architects produce drawings & drafts, as well as utilize drafters, they are not the same thing. Drafters will follow the directions of the architects based on their expertise.

And with that, we know the difference between Drafters, Decorators, Designers & Architects!

Xo,

Shira