Monday, August 20, 2007

Who's on your Design Team?

All industries are changing and the interior design industry must also change to keep pace with the rest of society. Who then, will you need on your design team to stay competitive?

Consider these roles when reevaluating your design team:

• Trades - I bet you have a list of at least 2 - 3 good plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, and carpet installers. But how many indoor-outdoor landscape artists, and outdoor kitchen product specialists, home theatre designers and whole house audio installers do you know? New industries and products mean new experts. Make sure you can offer your clients the cutting-edge in both design and the latest creature comforts by expanding your trade circle.
• Material and fabric specialists/coordinators - Keeping up with your fabrics can be a full time job. From ordering, tracking and returning memo samples to figuring out which materials are still available from the manufacturer. Then there are the discount shops, the independent fabric designers and your clients all needing to see the correct fabric sample in the correct dye lot. Need I say more?
• Product People - Every designer should have their own bag of tricks that includes products like paint, caulk, frames, tools and decorative hardware.
• Techies - Technology (hardware and software) and the people who program technology are poised to make your design work flow so much easier. There is technology available to organize your electronic files and automate client lists. Software that comes off the shelf will keep track of your shopping expenditures, daily sales and other expenses. And while nothing takes the place of face-to-face interaction, your website-turned-design portal can make you and your client's life easier by presenting design boards, colors, fabrics and layouts to each and every client, at any time of day or night.
• Artists - As design teams go, this role is my personal favorite. Why? Because creative people look at design challenges from a unique perspective. They love to experiment with artist materials and are a wonderful resource for those sometimes odd and rather unique design challenges we all face.
• Writers Publicists and Photographers - To grow your design company you'll need to keep track of your work with really sharp photographs. Articles written about your company will carry more weight than an advertisement; so it is a wise strategy to craft a steady stream of press releases. This may lead to news coverage that can virtually eliminate the need to pay for costly advertisements; as well the chance to be featured in blogs, magazines, and design books.

© 2007, CanvasCorp LLC.
www.CanvasCorp.com

Who's on your Design Team?
posted by CanvasCorp LLC on 12:51 PM