Design is no longer a talent instead it’s a trendy job title (Designer). There is no figurehead regulating who is and who isn’t a designer. Yes there are industry specific regulators that attempt to categorize specific design fields by granting a few initials after someones name just because they paid $$$ their fee, studied and memorized the correct path to test success. The great thing about being a designer is that you as a creative individual can fit yourself in with a group of like minded individuals, however designer can variably refer to anyone from cross stitchers, tattoo artists, to foodies, sculptures and interior decorators and not to forget interior designers (not to be mistaken for the fore-mentioned).  The term designer is often followed by a qualifying statement – one that assists the assumed novice in understand how important the designer is… “I’m a designer” – “a – floral designer, a water-fountain designer, a landscape designer, a wedding cake designer, etc”…

One clear cut concern I have about the direction of the industry for which I belong “Interior Design” is that there may seem to be figurehead organizations positing the post-name acronymic titles, but these organizations do nothing to benefit the recipient of the designers work. As a seasoned designer with over 15 years of experience both working for others as well as owning and operating every facet of my own business I have come to the client rescue many times following other ”designers” – some with titles… after they botched up a project due to lack of experience. Oh the designer may have had 3-7 initials after their name and may have the distinction of listing on their resume an impressive list or previous employers, but in no way does that negate the lack of knowledge or experience held.