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Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration. An interior designer is a person who is considered a professional in the field of interior design or one who designs interiors as part of their job. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents. The distinction between interior design and 'interior decoration' is one relevant in the United States but not common elsewhere. As the United States definition does not exist in most of the world, non-Americans would be confused by the distinction.

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Interior designers may perform some or all of the following activities, among other duties and responsibilities:^[1]

• Research and analyze client's goals and requirements, along with the developing the design documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs
• Formulate the preliminary space plans and the two- and three-dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client's needs based on knowledge of interior design principles and theories of human behavior
• Confirm that preliminary space plans and design concepts are considered safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, in addition to confirming that these elements meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental and sustainability guidelines
• Select colors, materials and finishes to appropriately convey the design concept and to meet socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, life-cycle performance, environmental and safety requirements
• Select and specify the furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork that are aligned with the design concept, including layout drawings and detailed product description
• Develop the contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture
• Provide project management services, including preparation of project budgets and schedules
• Prepare construction documents consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications to illustrate various elements of the design concept, including the non-structural and/or non-seismic partition layouts, power and communications locations, ceiling plans, lighting designs, furniture layouts and materials and finishes
• Prepare construction documents that adhere to regional building and fire codes, municipal codes and any other jurisdictional statutes, regulations and guidelines that apply to the interior space
• Coordinate and collaborate with allied design professionals who provide additional consulting services for the design project, including, but not limited to, architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, in addition to various specialty consultants retained for the design project
• Confirm that construction documents for non-structural and/or non-seismic construction are signed and sealed by the responsible interior designer as applicable to fulfill jurisdictional requirements for filing with code enforcement officials
• Administer contract documents, bids and negotiations as the client's agent
• Observe and report information about the progress and completion of the design project, in addition to conducting the post-occupancy evaluation and preparing post-occupancy reports on behalf of the client

Interior designers can specialize in a particular interior design discipline, such as residential and commercial design, with some developing expertise within a niche design area such as hospitality, health care and institutional design. In jurisdictions where the profession is regulated by the government, designers must meet broad qualifications and show competency in the entire scope of the profession, not only in a specialty. Designers may elect to obtain specialist certification offered by private organizations. Interior designers who also possess environmental expertise in design solutions for sustainable construction can receive accreditation in this area by taking the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) examination.

The specialty areas that involve interior designers are limited only by the imagination and are continually growing and changing. With the increase in the aging population, an increased focus has been placed on developing solutions to improve the living environment of the elderly population, which takes into account health and accessibility issues that can affect the design. Awareness of the ability of interior spaces to create positive changes in people's lives is increasing, so interior design is also becoming relevant to this type of advocacy.

• Interior architecture
• Interior decoration
• Architecture
• Blueprint
• Environmental metaphysics
• Environmental psychology
• Interior design education

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