ASID Icon - January/February 2009 - (Page 41)

INSIDE ASID/ Right-to-Practice ASID MEMBERS SUPPORT PROFESSIONALISM AND LICENSING/ A RECORD NUMBER of ASID members responded to a recent ASID survey on designers’ right-to-practice issues. More than 2,200 allied and professional members expressed their views on the professional qualiﬁcations of interior designers and ways that they would like to see ASID support their right to practice. Clearly defining the profession of interior design is of major importance to most ASID members. More than 90 percent of the respondents support the view that interior design is a distinct profession from interior decoration, requiring more technical knowledge and a more extensive knowledge of building codes and regulation. They were more divided on the question of whether interior design is distinct from interior architecture, with 61 percent agreeing it is and 36 percent saying it is not. (Three percent had no opinion.) Yet, most respondents (94%) say the public does not understand the difference between design and decoration and has no understanding of what designers do (86%). Many say that clients seldom or never ask if they are licensed (82%) or where they received their design training (73%). Nevertheless, eight in 10 say clients hire them because they want to work with a professional designer. From a right-to-practice standpoint, respondents showed strong support (88%) for interior design being legally recognized as a distinct profession and for designers to be licensed (77%). Three-fourths of the respondents agreed that ASID should advocate for the title “interior designer” to be restricted and for the title “Registered Interior Designer” to be restricted. Two-thirds of the respondents support advocating for practice acts. Members also would like to see ASID do more to advocate on behalf of small business issues (83%) and against the taxation of interior design services (82%). Respondents also place a high value on professional competency and standards. More than three-fourths (78%) said it was “Very Important” that interior designers demonstrate that they meet certain standards of competence and that interior designers have attained a certain level of formal education. Members also largely supported certiﬁcation of interior designers by a professional organization (82%) and continuing education requirements for interior designers (89%). The right-to-practice survey was conducted between Oct. 8 and Oct. 16, 2008. The survey was sent to all professional and allied ASID members who had active e-mail addresses in the ASID member database (13,711). Follow-up notices were published in the ASID Design Daily news brieﬁng. Questions or comments about the survey should be directed to research@asid.org. i To be included in mailings for future surveys, be sure ASID has your current preferred e-mail address. You can add or update an e-mail address through the ASID Web site or through ASID Connex. Collection Series: Stylish Shaker, Timeless Modern, European Classic, English Cottage closets | offices | garages | media centers | pantries | laundry rooms | wine rooms ©2008 Closet Factory. All rights reserved. CA Lic. #602641 Stylish Shaker Closet Stylish Shaker Wine Room Closet Factory builds beautiful and functional custom storage solutions. Ask for your ASID Design Specialist 800.634.9000 www.closetfactory.com 29 http://www.closetfactory.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ASID Icon - January/February 2009

ASID Icon - January/February 2009 Contents President's Letter Of Note Innovations Getting it Right Shadowing Design Bearing Up Industry Contrast Up Close Design for Life Environotes Inside ASID Grassroots Showroom Resource Guide/Advertisers Needful Things

ASID Icon - January/February 2009

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