biid: the professional standard
Sue Timney is Vice President elect & Education Director for BIID. Sue is also a visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art.
www.suetimney.com
Promoting a professional
community of designers It’s time our industry is taken seriously
Oscar Wilde’s famous last words “Either that wallpaper goes or I do”, never fails to amuse me, especially as it appears that the wallpaper won out! Indeed, the power we still have today as interior designers is nothing, if not considerable.
W
ithin our daily lives, interior design professionals have
become increasingly conscious that this power, when placed in the wrong hands, has not helped our reputation as professionals. From the five-minute makeover programmes to the scattering of cushions, we have become increasingly surrounded by “Interior Designers”, a term that to date has had no accepted qualification behind it and a term that is often misused. When I was appointed
Education Director of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) in 2010, the issue of qualifications had already been discussed at length. Research had been carried out by senior members of the Institute (led by Jenny Gibbs), and the foundations for a professional standard could be seen to be developing. It has become increasingly clear that the Institute - being the pre-eminent body
representing our profession - must now lead the way if we are to change this perception of the interior design industry and at the same time encourage the best new designers to join our ranks. With this in mind, the Institute
will be launching a Professional Pathway for Interior Designers working within all sectors of our industry later this year. Establishing the Professional Pathway will ultimately result in our full Members having a recognised qualification to be proud of; a status that will help lead and represent British Interior Design for the future. Of course, it will inevitably mean that the existing entry qualification onto the Pathway will become more stringent for new designers; a degree or equivalent qualification will be required in the future. At the same time I am conscious that we must leave room for experienced but unqualified designers who have long evidenced their skills, technical knowledge, professional practice and creativity within our discipline. Our Knowledge Bank and CPD programme will help support this and ensure that current members remain at the forefront of the profession, keeping up to date with the latest techniques, trends and
By Sue Timney
regulations for instance. In essence, the new entry points we are putting in place can only help strengthen our reputation within the field, gaining the respect “Interior Designer” deserves. Along with this huge PP
initiative - Diana and Stephen Yakeley’s “BIID Interior Design Job Book” (RIBA Publishing) was launched last year to wide acclaim - it has already become a bible of information and support for our industry. Just as importantly, educators around the country have applauded the Job Book and have welcomed these Professional Pathway proposals. Our future intention is to continue to work with educators and group practices developing key collaborations around which creativity and individuality are nurtured and not undermined. In fact the Job Book and Pathway create an ideal foundation for even the most extreme of creative courses that exist; professionalism and creativity being foremost elements of all successful design. Interior Design is not just a
passion, it is a profession and ultimately we as professionals must take responsibility for the perception that our clients have of us…If only there had been time for a debate with Oscar!
Interior Design Today 7
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