Developing and Presenting a Design Plan

Just FACS

Good Design Requires Planning• A good design plan is the starting

point of designing the interior of a home.

Steps in the Design Process• Step 1: Identify the project• Step 2: Assess the client characteristics• Step 3: Analyze the environment• Step 4: Develop a preliminary budget• Step 5: Compile a design resource file• Step 6: Plan use of space• Step 7: Choose a style and color scheme• Step 8: Select backgrounds, furniture, lighting, and

accessories• Step 9: Present the design• Step 10: Implement the design.

Step 1: Identify the Project• What is the change that needs to be

made?• How much are you willing to spend?• How much time do you have to

complete it?• What is the goal of the project?

Step 2: Assess Client Characteristics

• Match possibilities for room design with the habits, likes, needs and wants of the people who will use it.

• Complete a family inventory– Lifestyles– Activities, entertaining preferences, hobbies

and study and work– Preferred Atmosphere– Future Considerations (what are your future

plans?)• Nonresidential inventories (universal

design)

Step 3: Analyze the Environment

• The Environment Inventory– Number of rooms– Activity Zones– Storage Areas– Furniture and

Accessories– Condition of

Backgrounds– Electrical and Lighting– Safety– Traffic Flow

• Consider Furniture Needs

• Establish Priorities– Budget restrictions

• Measure Space & Furniture– Creating scale

drawings– ¼ in. =1 ft.

Step 4: Develop a Preliminary Budget

• Write down everything that needs to be purchased

• Create price estimates based on the size of the room

Step 5: Compile a Design Resource File

• Take before photos of the area to be redesigned.

• Find sources of ideas:– magazines– Furniture and

accessory catalogs– Websites– Sunday newspapers– How to books

• Organize by separating into categories:– Furnishings– Window treatments– Floor coverings– General for pictures – Product brochures– Wallpaper samples– Paint samples– Fabric samples

Step 6: Plan Use of Space• A functional room arrangement is

one in which the space meets the needs of its occupants.

• Arranging space:– Review the purposes the room serves– Consider the features of the room itself– On your plan, outline the path people

would use to walk through the room.

Step 6 continued• A thoughtfully arranged room is

functional and pleasing to look at.• Keep these factors in mind when

designing:– Don’t overcrowd a room– Attempt to balance the room– Create a focal point by highlighting an

interesting feature.– Use your imagination

Room by Room• Living Rooms and Family rooms– Seating– Provide convenient surface for reading

materials and refreshments.–Might include entertainment

• Dining Areas– Allow room for chairs to move and

people if there is a dining room

Drawing Plans• Floor plans give a view from above• Elevations show a side view• Interior elevations show one wall as

seen from the center of the room

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)• CAD programs create views that

seem as realistic as a photograph• They easily to be changed and allows

designers to be more creative

Step 7: Choose a Style &Color Scheme

• Style-refers to the overall characteristics of design.– It might reflect a specific period of time,

a region, or a designer.– It might also evoke a feeling such as

formal, informal, or cozy.

Types of Style• Colonial-very simplistic style.• Queen Anne-very formal style; often

large with high ceilings. Use very luxurious fabrics.

• Victoria-flamboyant and elaborate style; generally have carved wooden panels.

• Modern-simple and unify technology with art; the focus is on horizontal line and monochromatic color schemes

Step 8: Select Backgrounds, Furniture, Lighting and Accessories• Backgrounds-floors, walls, ceilings

and windows.– Deciding which materials, colors,

patterns and textures to use is part of the design process.

– The goal is to make sure that backgrounds harmonize with the style.

Step 9: Present the Design• Floor Plans• Elevations• Pictorial designs (which

are pictures as if you were actually looking at the room)– One point perspective is

looking at one wall– Two point perspective is

looking at where two walls meet

Types of Visual Representations• Sample Boards– Contains mounted samples of proposed

wall coverings, floor coverings, fabrics, and window treatments.

– Separate boards for each room• Computer presentations• Models: usually 3-D

A Professional Presenation• Once all designs are complete the

presentation must be made.• Oral presentations consist of:– Introduction– Discussion of the design– Summary

• Finally presentation of the budget

Step 10: Implement the Design• Developing a time line• Making purchases• Scheduling installations• Make sure to maintain

frequent communication with the clients!