One of the key challenge that we face in a Interior design organization is how keep creativity alive in the organization – How do we constantly amaze customers with new designs; how we set new trends; how do we bring in the best given the limited budget that is available; how to make sure that our designs don’t look repetitive and so on.
At Tesor we regularly brainstorm on how we can improve our designs. Listing down some of our learnings in this area:
1. Have a culture of discussing design in your team
This is the crux of it. During our free time we discuss on lots of aspects – like the places we hang out, sports, fashion, food, family etc. Very seldom we take interest to discuss on any exciting design that we would have seen, or on some new trends that are happening in our industry.
It does not sound cool. Discussion on design aspects is something we constantly encourage so that there is a constant exchange of ideas across the team and people feel proud of their designs.
2. Have a good blend of designers who have diverse tastes
Every designer will have their strong areas. Some designers love to design traditional homes, some designers love to keep it minimalistic, some love modern design. Having a good blend of designers who come from diverse backgrounds and strengths brings in a lot of versatility in your design strength
3.Design Vs Execution
This is a challenge one faces every day. A lot of time execution of the project takes precedence over design.
The entire focus shifts on making sure the drawings are proper from production point of view, drawings have necessary details on how the execution in site needs to happen and so on. And in the process not much importance is given on the design – be it the look and feel or the usability point of view.
This is one aspect we need to remind ourselves every time that we as designers need to be True to design more than anything else.
4.Encourage team to be fearless in design
Every now and then due to the experiences we have gone through in our projects, we tend to play safe – Why to go for some bold design. what if it goes horribly wrong. what if the person executing on site says it is not possible to execute this design as so on.
In the process some of the best designs that we have in mind gets killed. Always be fearless in design and thats what creates a master piece.
5. Be upto date on the materials that are available in the market and market trends
Most of the times our design choices are limited by our knowledge of materials that are available in the market. Like the finishes, hardware, laminates, paints, decorative products and so on.
6. Interior design is not just Kitchen and Wardrobes
Do give a lot of other aspects of the home too – like loose furniture design, wall textures and panelling, light design, curtains, wallpapers, carpets, decor and so forth. All these aspects when they come together in a cohesive manner makes a good design a great one.
7. Design is not just a top down approach
Sometimes we tend to think that the entire design needs to be thought out by the design incharge. Very seldom does a great piece of work come out that way. Everybody involved in the project needs to be a thinking being.
Be it the the lead designer, be it the 3D visualizer, or the carpenter working at the site, or the painter working on the texture – everyone needs to be enabled to think and contribute towards the betterment of the project.
