As a designer, you’ll need to be able to create relevant visuals for your client — and you’ll need to know how to present the right visual at the appropriate times. On the IDFX Exam, Design Communication is worth 10%. Learn which presentation types fit the goal.
It’s all about show and tell (sell).
Interior Design Client Presentations
Smaller projects with one decision maker, such as a residential project, will likely require an informal meeting with a copy of the report and a few visuals. Larger commercial projects, especially those with several stakeholders will require a formal written report, and presentation boards or other visuals.
Regardless of the project size or complexity, the goals are to get:
Client comments and feedback
Approval to proceed with design and continue to the next project phase
Presentation mediums can include face-to-face meetings or virtual presentations via the internet, teleconference or Skype. Presentations are typically done at the end of these two phases:
Programming phase in order to proceed to the Design Development phase
Design Development phase in order to start preparing Construction Documents
Interior Design Presentation Documents
The goal of design presentation varies with the different activities in each phase of design. To determine which type of visuals are most appropriate, the design should consider which decisions will be made as the outcome of the presentation.
Programming phase
This phase is about demonstrating that the design solution meets functional requirements. Visuals used to communicate design solutions during programing can include area requirement summaries, parti diagrams, concept sketches, and adjacency, bubble or stacking diagrams.
Design Development phase
As design solutions are refined, the designer’s goal is to gain approval for final space plans, and specific materials and furnishings. Design development presentations would be most specific in order to get client approval to proceed to construction documents.
Floor plans, material and color boards
Floor plans are key to demonstrating in 2-D the space solutions conceived in a project. The client will be able to see the layout of the building’s construction, how the furniture fits into the space. Floor plans also illustrate how the space will function in terms of maneuverability and adjacencies.
Material boards show the finishes selected for the project. It’s ideal to have an actual sample of each material on the board so the texture, weight and true colors are experienced by the client. Samples commonly found on material boards include:
Paint
Wall covering
Tile
Millwork / wood stain
Hardwood flooring
Carpet
Hardware
Window shades
Drapery fabric
Upholstery fabric
Bedding fabric
Decorative pillow fabric
Models, mock-ups and prototypes
Many people find understanding floor plans and elevations challenging. For larger projects, it’s not uncommon to have models made so the client can see the design in 3-D to better understand the volume of the space.
Models can be made for study purposes during the design development phase. These are sometimes crude and made out of cardboard or foam core. These study models, also known as concept models and working models, are usually made at 1/4 or 1/2-inch scale.
Presentation models, on the other hand, are common for large projects. They’re used for formal, final presentations to the client Presentation models are becoming easier to fabricate with 3-D printing and can be astonishingly detailed. They’re often used for architectural project and show the whole building.
A mock-up is a life-size model of design. It can be of a single piece of furniture or a construction mock-up of an entire space.
A prototype is similar to a mock-up, but it offers the opportunity to test the design. A model hotel room is a good example of a construction prototype.
A construction mock-up of the room itself with mock-ups of all of the furniture in it allows the space to be functionally tested. Do the bed lamps on the nightstands reach the outlets? Is there enough space to pass between the bed and the desk? Does the bed coverlet pool on the floor?
Rendering and digital media
Image courtesy Qpractice grad Cristina Bustamante
Rendering / 3-D modeling
3-D computer modeling make it possible to do a walk-through or fly-through a space. Most 3-D modeling programs have a library where finishes can be included and rendered. However, these are more for illustrative purposes and would not replace actual material samples or presentation boards.
While the initial time spent to create renderings can be a heavy investment, changes are more easily made in comparison to physical models.
Some rendering and modeling software interior designers use include: SketchUp, AutoCAD 3ds Max, Rhino and Form-Z.
Graphic software
Mastery of popular graphic software is increasingly important for designers to implement in their visual communication with clients. Designers use these to create presentation materials that can be easily shared with clients and potential clients.
Graphic software allows designers to digitally combine paint swatches, furniture images, floor plans and interior photographs on a single platform.
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are two popular software programs. Photoshop is useful for image manipulation while Illustrator may be used for furniture and pattern design. Adobe InDesign is also commonly used for assembling presentation layouts and boards.
Image courtesy Graham Fahye
While rendering software allows for more realistic interior presentations, many designers still use and prefer hand rendering, as it allows more room for interpretation. With hand rendering the designer can capture and present the major architectural features and the mood of the space, without the finished space having to match the rendering exactly. Designers can also combine hand rendering with software, and color or enhance drawings in Photoshop, as in rendering above.
Ultimately, the designer must remember that the goal of the presentation is to help with client decisions and approval, so the project can progress.
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