our oversaturated industry
can not be referred to as a profes- SBID as there is no apparent links
sion and that is where ostensibly with the supply chain in the com-
where the problem lies. mercial sector and it appears to be
We have therefore engaged a breakaway group from BIDA, so
with the House of Commons on duplicating what is already estab-
this matter and numerous organisa- lished. BIDA (now BIID), which was
tions across the sectors of established 40 years ago and now
competition in which interior de- with institute status, is seen by IDA
sign dovetails. Throughout this members (new and potential) as
process we have engaged with the serving a different part of the mar-
industry and we will deliver a pro- ket. This part historically specialized
fession for our members who in residential and smaller scale proj-
represent the top twenty per cent ects and of course this perceived
demographic of designers, archi- difference has been a matter of
tects, manufacturers and suppliers considerable debate for interior de-
the majority of whom previously signers. Exactly how do you define
were uninspired to join interior what is smaller scale, are not all in-
design groups. terior designers trained, qualified
We are working in three key and more importantly experienced
areas, firstly on a research pro- to work effectively in all interior de-
gramme in association with BRE sign applications? The answer is
and government through our actually no and it is clear there is
sustainability board. We are also a barrier, that is why the IDA has a
working with Universities across strong demand from practices that
the Country to ensure the standards are not already members of an in-
adopted and taught are the right fit dustry body and have extensive
for all stakeholders. Finally we are experience in hotels, education,
working with our members to pro- government and public buildings,
vide networking opportunities that corporate offices, retail and the like.
raise standards within the profes- I met BIID President Iris Dunbar
sion, in these three core areas we early in 2009 and explained that I
automatically bring security to the had received considerable demand
consumer when selecting a provider from Interior Design Practices to es-
which brings an added benefit to tablish an independent body. The
our members, it is a win-win-win defining characteristic in addition
situation for all stakeholders. to those already mentioned, was
We have 674 members and have they tended to work extensively
not yet begun marketing; the previ- with the supply chain represented
ous seven months have been spent by the BCFA. They made it clear
in research so we are very confi- that the membership profile of BIID
dent that we have identified the did not fit with the type of projects
right product to bring a fresh wind they typically worked on. Over the
through the industry. course of a number of meetings
during 2009 we agreed there was
Colin Watson, IDA a common goal to raise the status
The IDA is the professional body of interior designers no matter
representing Interior Design which market they served or what
Professionals and practices working perceptions they may have about
principally, but not exclusively in the representation. The winning of
International commercial interiors hearts and minds would be best
market with public and private sec- served not by challenging attitudes
tor clients. The need for this has on allegiance but approaching the
been in the melting pot for some issues from two ends and meeting
time and after a series of meetings in the middle.
by Interior Design professionals, it This approach will ensure that
became clear to them that no indus- we reduce duplication of effort and
try body satisfactorily represented move more quickly to develop the
interior design practices and individ- interior design profession. ■
uals in the commercial market place.
Circumstances have led to there To get in contact with the
being more than one organization Society of British Interior
with an interest in representing the Design and the Interior Design
interior designer in the UK. The Association visit www.sbid.org
CSD was at one time active in the and www.theida.co.uk
sector but now has little support
Main image: The central dome at the Design Centre,
from Interior Designers. I do not
Chelsea Harbour is a hive of design activity
really understand the objectives of
Interior Design Today 7
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36