SDA: New law creates state Interior Design Council

In August 1998, Missouri State Legislators passed House Bill 1601 recognizing the profession of interior design and clarifying, by legal definition, the duties that interior designers perform.

This means to you the client that the registered professional interior designer:

Has graduated from an interior design program from an accredited institution.

Has passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.

Has the diversified and appropriate interior design experience to enhance the function and quality of your interior spaces.

Your registered professional interior designer has the expertise to improve the quality of life, increase productivity and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by:

Analyzing the client's needs, goals, and life and safety requirements.

Integrating findings with knowledge of interior design.

Formulating preliminary design concepts that are appropriate, functional and aesthetic.

Developing and presenting final design recommendations.

Preparing working drawings and specifications for non-load-bearing interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

Collaborating with licensed practitioners who offer professional services in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval.

Preparing and administering bids and contract documents as the client's agent.

Reviewing and evaluating design solutions during implementation and upon completion.

House Bill 1601 also created the Missouri Interior Design Council, which has implemented the administration of the rules and regulations of the law.

The council is currently accepting applications. A designer needs to be registered with the state of Missouri to use the words "Registered Commercial Interior Designer."

It does not inhibit or limit anyone from using the title of interior designer.

It just gives an assurance of minimum competency in three areas: education, experience and testing.

This state title act protects our right to practice while giving our clients confidence in our training and expertise.

One of the original purposes of our local Springfield Design Association was to increase professionalism by:

Supporting the Missouri Coalition for Interior Design, which developed the bill that became law.

Providing workshops for our members wishing to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.

Encouraging our membership to become affiliated with national design organizations. ASID the American Society of Interior Designers and IIDA the International Interior Design Association.

The Springfield Design Association also supports tomorrow's professional interior designers.

For 15 years, we have given two scholarships to interior design students enrolled in an area design program.

Each spring, we sponsor a career day for local high school and college students.

In conjunction with Salute to Design and Construction 2000, we would like to congratulate some of our past scholarship winners for their accomplishments:

Diane Werner, a 1994 graduate, has formed, with Joyce Buxton, the firm of Buxton-Werner Interiors, a commercial interior design firm.

Andrea Deckard, a 1998 graduate, has formed, with Barbara Austin, Austin-Deckard Interiors, a commercial and hospitality firm.

Daniel Krause, a 1996 graduate, has recently become head of contract sales for the Chicago region with Brunschwig and Fils.

(Mary Martin is president of the Springfield Design Association and a designer with Final Touch Interiors.)