Who am I to talk? I’ve built and I run my business my own way. A friend of mine, also in the industry, just entered two years ago and on the weekend we talked about how he ran his business, which is very different to how I run mine. I’m very anal about how I design, how I present, how I put forward my concepts. So it’s always interesting to me to speak to people who design and present differently.
He works visually. He stands in the room and then visualizes in his mind what he wants and then proceeds by showing clients pictures of different ideas and fabrics. While he started working as an interior designer only two years ago he has worked various fields within the design industry for many years prior and his experience comes from a different background as mine, so who am I to say to someone that they should work differently when they are getting clients and jobs?
I’ve seen one of his jobs and it was really wonderful. For someone who thinks in a black and white way, it’s eye opening and somewhat humbling to think that there are other ways to succeed than just my way. The fact is that as long as one arrives to the right conclusion, it doesn’t matter how you get there.
BUT, I still feel my way is the right way. Of course.
What is your sense about the best way to present, bill, conceptualize the job?
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#1 by Decor Arts Now on March 23, 2010 - 12:17 pm
HI Vincente,
I do a mix of your way and your friend’s way. I do a floor plan, but then follow with a mood board with fabrics and pictures. I have a question for you. At a talk at the D&D, Bunny Williams and Bill Stubbs, advised an all at once installation (like they do on TV). Is that how you install your projects, or do you install as the items come in. I would love to know. Thanks.
#2 by mary fran brassard on March 23, 2010 - 4:57 pm
Hi Vincent – can you give a little more detail on how you do present – do they approve the floor plan and then you present the more decorative suggestions? Do you do boards or loose fabric samples for a more touchy approach? Is it the presentation technique that’s different from your friends or is it a different creative process ?
Thanks and it was lovely to chat with you again at the Architectural Digest show.
#3 by Vicente on March 23, 2010 - 5:01 pm
Hi Mary –
We discussed this on the blog a while back – you can read that post here: http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/projects/what-makes-a-good-presentation/
Let me know if you have any additional questions and we can discuss those.
#4 by Vicente on March 23, 2010 - 5:04 pm
Here are two more related links:
http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/interior-design-business/design-where-to-start/
http://www.vicentewolfblog.com/ask-vicente/ask-vicente-the-initial-consult/
#5 by Gary Nelling on March 23, 2010 - 7:49 pm
Vicente – I think every architect or designer should choose an approach that suits their own personality and their clients. Mine often come to me with specific ideas, and I first help them evaluate the physical and financial realities of their wishes, and their level of desire for creativity. I use books, magazines, visits to buildings, and material samples to understand their tastes. My process moves from the general to the specific in phases so they have input. Usually the physical space comes first, and color and materials later, though not in smaller projects. Floor plans include furniture from the beginning to establish its interaction with the space. I am intrigued that you present complete concepts from the start, which is a more confident approach that your thorough interview questions make possible, which I would like to try. I get sign-offs at each phase to record decisions and minimize revisions. Thank you for the links to past blogs and the new thoughts here. – Gary
#6 by Christine Schwalm on March 23, 2010 - 9:03 pm
For me, it depends on what kind of project I’m working on. If it’s accessorizing and personalizing the space, then I operate more like your friend. I’ll take pictures and photoshop items into place so the client can really get a sense of the overall design. If it’s a bigger project, I start with a floor plan and then mood boards. For me, it is essential to agree on the floor plan first.
#7 by Debra on March 23, 2010 - 10:30 pm
Hi Vincente,
I’ve just found your blog. Your style and design is really beautiful. I think no matter what we are doing we all have to find our own way what works right for us. There are a lot of different ways to get to a certain place or street we may all travel different ways to find it but as long as we all get to where we need to be that’s fine.
#8 by melissa on March 24, 2010 - 3:39 pm
IT IS SO GREAT WHEN WE SEE HOW ANOTHER PERSON IN THE SAME INDUSTRY DOING IT THEIR WAY AND IT IS SO DIFFERENT FROM OUR WAY????
I AM NOT A DESIGNER BUT IN THE HEALING WORK I DO WITH CLIENTS I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN ALL THE SCHOOLS I WENT TOO I NEVER SAW THE THINGS THEY TAUGHT (SUCH AS CHAKARAS ETC..) EVEN THOUGH, AS A HEALER I KNOW THEY EXIST..
I HAD TO HAVE ENOUGH COURAGE AND FORTITUDE TO FIND MY OWN WAY, WHICH I HAVE, BUT IT IS SUCH A DIFFICULT ROAD TO FOLLOW…
I NEVER THINK THAT MY WAY IS THE RIGHT WAY IT IS THE “ONLY WAY I KNOW”… FOR ME IT IS ALL ABOUT COMING TO SOMETHING THRU MY FEELING THAT IS HOW I KNOW IF IT IS REAL AND TRUE FOR ME…
WHAT A WONDERFUL TOPIC…
NO ONE ELSE IN DESIGN BRINGS UP THE TOPICS THEY WAY YOU DO AND WITH SO MUCH CURIOSITY…
XXOO
MELISSA
#9 by Kim on March 24, 2010 - 7:12 pm
It’s refreshing to hear that you take your own path. I think you find out what works best for you and your client’s along the way, but it’s good to have some idea of where to begin.
Although I might start a job the same way each time, I find it exciting to mix it up.
I just found your blog and I can’t wait to read more posts. Thank you. ~Kim
#10 by Gary Nelling on March 24, 2010 - 11:40 pm
Melissa – It can be a uphill path to go your own way, but worth it if you have something of value to offer. For example, I have a good friend who owns Yoga St Louis, the only studio that instructs in Iyangar Yoga, which is based on Indian healing arts and has spiritual, balance, alignment and exercise elements that mitigate some ailments. It is more demanding than the numerous yoga pilates studios here. And it’s taken additional effort to market the benefits of this program, but he’s building loyalty and gets much satisfaction from teaching. So hang in there. – Gary
#11 by melissa on March 25, 2010 - 2:02 am
THANKS YOU GARY AND YES, I DO HAVE SOMETHING OF VALUE TO OFFER……
CHEERS TO ALL………
MELISSA (LAMY, NM)
#12 by Gary Nelling on March 25, 2010 - 2:56 am
Melissa – Oops, I’m sorry. I should have used “when” not “if”, but I’m glad you knew what I was trying to say. – Gary
#13 by Decor Arts Now on March 25, 2010 - 1:38 pm
Hi Vicente,
I only recently found your blog, but I absolutely love it. I truly appreciate all of the advice you give to budding designers. I went back and reread the posts you referred to above. Since I have always been on my own (which has been fun, but hard too), I love getting your advice on how you run your business. I would love to apprentice at a large firm like yours, but since I have always had some business, it has never happened. Your blog is the next best thing. Thanks you so much. Lynn
#14 by amanda Burdge on March 25, 2010 - 11:37 pm
To each his own. Design is a process. It is creative and an artist cannot be expected to play by rules. As long as the end result is what the client wants and it makes them happy, that is all that matters.