Comments on: Bill would define interior designers, decorators

By: LEGISLATION |Todays' Home

LEGISLATION |Todays' Home — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 01:53:52 +0000

[…] take the time to read the Daily Journal of Commerce article, "Bill Would Define Interior Designers, Decorators". Patti Morrow, the National Director of […]

By: Sermin Yesilada

Sermin Yesilada — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:56:35 +0000

Dear R Kitchen industry –

Happy to answer your questions.

1. You can view our sponsors on our website and event registration pages. Individual donors and firms will be thanked at our annual meeting. We are also supported by membership fees.

2. Who does this affect? This bill will affect interior designers who work in commercial spaces. It will not affect designers working in single family residential spaces. It will not affect contractors or home builders. It will not affect retailers who offer consultation relating to interior design. It will not affect architects or engineers. The exemptions are outlined in Section 5.2a-e. This bill affects the interior designers who are currently practicing commercial interior design.

Some have asked why not include residential design? Courts have struck that down in Alabama and Florida. However, commercial interior design licensing has been upheld.

3. Marketing – This is up to individual firms and businesses, and is part of professional organizations’ purview. IDC-Oregon is a grassroots organization.

4. Law suits – contractual suits exist in Oregon. Federal suits against properties and jurisdictions exist for violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act in new and remodeled construction projects in Oregon. Each jurisdiction keeps records of building and fire code violations.

5. Deficiencies in current laws – The Oregon Fire Code Chapter 8 regulates interior finishes and furnishings, however this work is not required to go through the permit process. You don’t need a permit to replace carpet in an egress corridor or do a space planning remodel with systems furniture in a large facility. That is a gap in the protection of the public. I have personally replaced non fire retardant drapery with drapery that meets NFPA 701 in institutional occupancies. I have also corrected egress violations in facilities that installed their cubicle furniture with narrow aisleways.

6. Boards and money – Nevada, Alabama, and Florida make money. I don’t know about the other boards. We are looking for sub and joint board solutions. Many states join the Architecture and ID boards. The Oregon Architecture Board brings in about $800,000 a year. Diane Plesset’s husband also had the great idea to direct money collected through fines to the State General Fund. I personally think that is a fantastic idea.

7. Competition – For the most part the designers who will be affected by the bill do not currently compete in the market with kitchen and bath designers, design/build remodelers, or decorators. They compete with other commercial designers and architects who practice interior design. Residential designers who meet the grandfathering or bill requirements may elect to become licensed.

8. Credentials/Training – OSU, UO, Marylhurst, and Art Institute all have courses regarding interior construction, building materials, finish materials, fire and life safety, universal design, and professional practice. The exam, NCIDQ, tests on this knowledge. The training is not the same as an architect or engineer since it is a different field, but the training is rigorous. Interior Designers will not be licensed to practice Architecture or Engineering.

Thank you,

Sermin Yesilada

By: idc-oregon public relations

idc-oregon public relations — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:36:57 +0000

To R Kitchen,

The website answers 90% of your questions.

We will do our best to address the remaining 10% in the coming month.

Feel free to schedule a one on one meeting with us anytime through the Contact page.

Sincerely,
Public Relations, IDC-Oregon

follow us on twitter: @idcoregon

By: R kitchen industry

R kitchen industry — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:33:41 +0000

So, the debate has reached a fever pitch. As one wise gentleman once said, “Follow the money”. Some questions arise in my mind during this debate. Who has the most to benefit from the government “regulating” this industry? Does the legislation affect just interior designers or are others in the interior space planning industry affected, such as, design build firms, remodeling contractors, drafting professionals, kitchen and bath designers, lighting plan designers, electrical plan designers, plumbing plan designers, etc.? Which test will be the state-approved test and who administers the test? Does this group stand to benefit greatly with additional revenue on the backs of the licensed people? What few will benefit by depleting its current competition? Can someone cite the specific lawsuits in the State of Oregon filed by the public over Interior Design negligence or malfeasance? If the IDC-Oregon is so concerned about their membership roles then why not work on helping their members market themselves better? Does IDC-Oregon receive any money from national organizations? If the board of licensing is self funding, then which states are now not running a deficit with their boards? If a stamp from a “registered interior designer” is needed for the building permit process, what structural background equivalent to an architect or engineer do these “registered interior designers” have? Can someone point to the current deficiencies in Oregon’s building codes and laws that constitute the state regulating this industry? Which of the interior design practices is not covered by specialty contractor licenses in the Oregon? Does the state not have a handbook for the public on how to hire a licensed contractor? Originally, this type of legislation was to raise interior designers above interior decorators. Why are other states’ bills exempting interior decorators from registration? Is there a monetary guarantee from the proponents that the state will not incur additional debt if they are so sure that this board is self-funding?
Just some questions that need to be answered. Probably too many. However, this is not a cut and dry issue and affects a lot of people in Oregon not just the 39 or 299 or 300 NCIDQ certificate holders. By the way, if all “300” NCIDQ certificate holders were licensed at $100 per year, the total is only $30,000 to staff this board. Washington State’s fiscal report states that it would cost $380,102 in its first two years. Not very self-funding if you ask me.

By: Chelsey Duncan

Chelsey Duncan — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:08:42 +0000

I would like to vote “yes” on regulation and licensing. I am an Interior Design student who will be graduating in June 2011.

By: Patrice O Actkins

Patrice O Actkins — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:25:17 +0000

Do Oregon consumer’s really want building development work to meet outdated past minimum’s instead of raising them to meet current International Standards (or even Washington’s or California’s standards)?

Do some homework on what the minimum requirements are in Oregon, and in other States, and then decide if there is enough protection for your family in your homes and businesses. Oregon loves to leave loopholes for professional’s who have failed as professionals in other parts of the country to do their shoddy work here.

The issues and priorities for the State of Oregon really need to grow up!

By: LD

LD — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 07:06:03 +0000

Please review the requirements to sit for the NCIDQ exam on their website…a bachelors or masters degree is not required. This should be taken into consideration when setting the standards in Oregon.

By: Stacie

Stacie — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:24:58 +0000

Having practiced in both the Residential and Commercial design spectrum I can see why this is a very confusing topic. There can be a gray line between what Interior Designers do and what Interior Decorators do. Outside of that gray line there are some huge differences that require both a formal education and experience to understand. For example, when I was graduating with my bachelors from the Art Institute a small hotel on the Oregon coast wanted to hire me to be their interior designer based on my portfolio. While I thought it would be exiting I turned the project down because I knew that I was not ready to take on that important of a project. It is wild to think that I could have taken that job under our current legislation and I shutter to think of the mistakes I most likely would have made. It has taken me years of practice under other professionals and passing of the NCIDQ to feel comfortable with the idea of taking on my own projects as an Interior Designer. Also, I don't understand the argument that this is "going to put a lot of people out of work". If someone is working as a residential decorator and their client is happy with what they are doing they can continue. I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people in Oregon who are working in the commercial field that can't be grandfathered in or who don't have a formal education. I feel that the public would be better served knowing that when they hire an Interior Designer for a commercial project they know that the person is qualified for the job through education and examination...just as most other professions do. btw, here is a helpful map that shows all of the states that have already passed legislation: http://www.iida.org/resources/content/1/0/2/documents/GRA_NorthAmerica_0509.pdf

By: idc-oregon public relations

idc-oregon public relations — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:30:02 +0000

Another Clarification

Fact: IDC-Oregon values interior decorative services and recognizes the importance of this service to the public. Depending on the final passing of the legislation language, there might be some restrictions on what terms are used to describe some design services.

This law aims to help consumers be informed about various design roles many specialty qualified experts may offer and perform as interior designers. Legislation will establish minimum benchmark levels for education, experience, and examination in order to define a minimum level of competency for those who are liable to safeguard public spaces.

IDC-Oregon is not trying to regulate terms in HB2491 2011 such as design consultant, interior consultant, interior decorator, et. al. We seek a government regulated professional industry with unified accepted definitions of “interior design”, “interior designer”, “Registered Interior Design”, and “Registered Interior Designer” to safeguard the public and environment.

Sincerely,
Public Relations, IDC-Oregon

follow us on twitter: @idcoregon

By: idc-oregon public relations

idc-oregon public relations — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:50:16 +0000

Fact: The People search option on LinkedIn using keywords "interior design Oregon" generates 934 results in several industries. Fact: NCIDQ Listing - Only active Certificate holders who have chosen to allow public access to their data are included in search results. Here is the NCIDQ full list: http://www.ncidq.org/pdf/CHMasterList.pdf Fact: Membership with IIDA, ASID, or IDC-Oregon has no business advantages. These are organizations that support Government and Regulatory Affairs. The Legislation Board reviews candidates from over a dozen existing industry professional associations and measures Registered Interior Design Professionals using one yard stick through defining minimum levels of professional credentials as defined by the industry, regardless of other memberships or affiliations held by that candidate. [In response to the statement …"unfair business advantage to those members"]. Fact: IDC-Oregon is a local, grassroots, non-profit organization committed to providing practitioners seeking a State License for Registered Interior Design services ongoing professional growth and support, regardless of specialty practice area, professional standing, or membership status with other interior design associations or affiliations. [In response to being referred to as an association, an Oregon Chapter of a greater Nationally supported association, or a cartel]. Interior Design Collaborative-Oregon Mission: To enact interior design legislation to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Oregon. Interior Design Collaborative-Oregon Goals: 1. Seek collaboration within the design community, supporting our development as a profession. 2. Advocate for professional qualification through minimum standards of education, experience and examination for interior designers. 3. Secure legislation in Oregon for interior design professionals whose work impacts the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Thank you to the 91��Ƶ for the opportunity to educate the greater design community as well as the public about what Interior Design Collaborative-Oregon as an organization represents. Sincerely, Public Relations, IDC-Oregon http://www.idc-oregon.org/news.html follow us on twitter: @idcoregon