Interior designers seek recognition
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Upon graduation, many interior design students at MSU and other universities across the state plan to pack their bags and head elsewhere for work unless a new bill is passed by the state legislature to give them credibility for going to college.
On Wednesday, more than 20 MSU interior design students, along with design professionals, industry members and other students throughout the state, gathered at the Capitol to voice their opinions against current legislation that allows virtually anyone to practice interior design in Michigan.
Brittany Bachteal, interior design senior and president of MSU’s Interior Design Student Organization, or IDSO, said she is frustrated by the fact that those who graduate with a degree are not recognized as experts in the field.
“What’s the point of going to school if you’re not recognized as a professional?” Bachteal said.
“Interior design is not just about picking out colors — there’s a lot more that goes into it.”
Sponsored by the Coalition for Interior Design Registration, or CIDR, Capitol Day 2011 was held to give students the opportunity to display their work and discuss the issue with legislators, said CIDR president Linda Thomas.
A representative from State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer’s office met with the students, but Whitmer was not able to be reached for comment.
Although the coalition already has tried several times, the coalition plans to introduce yet another bill that will require interior design professionals to be licensed or registered, proving they have received a degree from an accredited school.
Currently, 28 states require interior design professionals to acquire a license.
This change would differentiate those who received a degree in interior design from those who are untrained in the field, Thomas said.
“(Interior designers) will need to provide documents showing their credentials,” she said. “They must have the necessary skill sets to practice interior design as a licensed professional.”
Interior design instructor and IDSO student advisor Kristy Kellom said the situation is unfortunate for interior design graduates wishing to stay and work in the state.
“This legislation is necessary for the sake of the careers of those who want to stay in Michigan,” Kellom said. “We need the support from legislators to move forward with this proposal.”
Interior design senior Molly Johnson said she eventually plans to move to a state that requires interior designers to obtain a license.
“Michigan is not educated on the differences between designers and decorators,” Johnson said.
“There’s imposters — it’s hard to work in an area with someone who has no training.”
Although Bachteal said she has decided to stay in Michigan after graduation, she knows other students are planning to move out of the state to pursue their careers as licensed professionals.
“Right now, a lot of students don’t see the incentive to stay in the state,” Bachteal said.
“We want to keep jobs in Michigan to help the economy, but without support and recognition … it’s hard to make that decision.”
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Commentary
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Suzanne Buckley, ASID, EDAC, LEED AP
(10/27/11 2:35pm)Report
As a member of the CIDR Board, I would like to thank all of the MSU interior Design students and instructors for their participation in Capitol Day. Your contribution was key and you represented so very well the interior design profession and MSU!!!
KJ Green
(10/29/11 5:10pm)Report
It is interesting that proponents of this cause conveniently omit the fact that numerous other states do not regulate interior designers. (Waa, waa, I’m going to have to leave Michigan to be recognized is not entirely true.) Further, many states have actively (in some cases repeatedly) evaluated the need for this type of regulation and have concluded that regulation is not necessary.
As an example, Colorado’s review of such licensure hinges on three criterion:
1. Whether the unregulated practice of the occupation or profession clearly harms or endangers the health, safety or welfare of the public, and whether the potential for harm is easily recognizable and not remote or dependent on tenuous argument.
2. Whether the public needs and can reasonably be expected to benefit from an assurance of initial and continuing professional or occupational competence.
3. Whether the public can be adequately protected by other means in a more cost-effective manner.
Colorado’s evaluation of interior designers in 2008, using these criteria, concluded: “Recommendation – Impose no regulation on Interior Designers in Colorado.”
Government regulations (and in this case licensing) should be used to protect the general public where it is really needed (like matters of public safety — road/building design, etc.). They should not be used to supplant the normal due diligence that should be exerted by a consumer looking to procure services. Nor should they be used to establish a barrier to those who may be equally capable of providing such services but don’t meet the hurdle established by regulation.
You want to be recognized as a profession? Get your industry association to develop a formal process with requirements for certifying the level of competence you carry. Don’t go running to the government to protect your trade (or the phrase “interior designer”) without sufficient evidence that such government regulation will provide more benefit than cost to the public.