Job Title: Interior Designer
Reports To: Company President
Coach/ Mentor: Schrader and Company’s Interior Designer, Planning Division
Division: Project Planning
Summary: The overall responsibilities of the Interior Designer is to work closely with Schrader and Company clients to develop their projects from conceptual design through a beautifully executed project. With an artful approach, the Interior Designer will undertake a variety of space planning and interior design projects to include but not limited to, kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, family rooms and more. Balancing creativity and practicality ensure Schrader and Company projects have that “Wow” factor and that our clients are thrilled with the aesthetic and functionality of their new spaces.
Duties and Responsibilities:
An Interior Designer’s day-to-day tasks are varied and call for a blend of creativity, technology, organization and people skills. The duties and responsibilities below are frequently performed in collaboration with the other interior designer(s), the project planners, sales person and/or estimator. These duties may include:
Program Meeting:
- Meet and communicate with clients to acquire a deep understanding of the client’s goals for a particular space.
- Uncover our client’s desired aesthetic for their project.
- Gather accurate existing conditions information to include, field measurements, photos, etc.
Design
- Understand the means, methods, materials, codes, etc related to residential and light commercial construction.
- Advise clients on interior design factors such as space planning, layout, use of furnishings or equipment, color coordination, etc.
- Create accurate existing conditions drawings using CAD.
- Develop preliminary design plan(s) for the renovation and construction work using CAD.
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce construction documents, including technical illustrations, notes and finish schedules.
Finishes and Selections
- Maintain a good understanding of current products and materials
- Help develop and maintain an inventory of product and material samples that SAC should have at our office.
- Guide clients through the material and product selections process with the purpose of minimizing the time it takes to make selections. Specify materials, such as lighting, wall finishes, flooring, plumbing fixtures, tile, countertops, cabinetry, etc.
- Facilitate and attend client selections meetings at the showrooms of our local suppliers. Foster strong relationships with the representatives at our suppliers.
- When appropriate, gather finish and product recommendations for our client and present options to them.
- Use technology when possible to streamline the selections process (virtual selections, electronic approval, etc.)
- Gather pricing for all products and materials. Save product and material quotes in the project folder and ensure the Project Planner is aware of the latest information.
- Create a method to gain client approval and sign off of their selections and finishes.
- Document all selections and finishes on the final drawings using finish schedules and notes. When an Architect is involved in the process, create finished schedule as a supplement to their construction drawing.
- After signing of a Construction Services Agreement, order fixtures, accessories, wall & floor coverings, and related materials (Future and when applicable)
Cabinetry
- Work closely with our cabinet shop manager to gain a thorough understanding of cabinetry fabrication and cabinetry design.
- Incorporate SAC cabinetry into our design. Ensure, what is being specified and designed will work with the other finishes and can be fabricated.
- Fully engage in SAC’s transition to manufactured lines of cabinetry. (Future)
- Learn about the custom lines of cabinetry available. (Future)
- Gain a thorough understanding of how to design, specify, price and order manufactured lines of cabinetry. (Future)
- Create a checks and balances system to ensure accuracy of final measurements, layout, size, specifications, etc of cabinetry. (Future)
- Take responsibility for cabinetry design, specifying and ordering for your design projects. (Future)
Other
- Routinely look for opportunities to improve SAC’s design and selections systems.
- Have a good understanding of the project budget, allowances, etc. Inform clients when they might be exceeding budget expectations. Make efforts to design within the established budget.
- Create, present and sign a Project Development Agreement prior to performing design and selections work (Future and when applicable)
- Coordinate with other professionals, such as architects, engineers, trade contractors, and material and product suppliers to ensure project success.
- Communicate with SAC Project Managers during construction to ensure design intent and specifications are understood and then executed.
- Assist with the management of Schrader and Company showroom. Consider how we best use the showroom to accomplish client selection, increase showroom traffic, etc.
- Assist any staff member who is engaged in performing the duties of a full, or part-time Project Planner, with any aspect of their design creation, to include participating with them in consultations with their client.
- Continuing education of current design trends, new products and materials. Stay on the “cutting edge” of design.
- Create new business where little or none exists through effective networking with prospects.
- Demonstrate the strength of character to hold the highest of ethical standards in all actions.
- Demonstrate focus and consciously apply sound judgment and common sense throughout all daily activities.
- Understand, respect, and maintain privacy and discretion with regard to any and all client information and confidential company information.*
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Experience:
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, from college or design school; and/or two to four years building industry design experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to read and comprehend construction documents. Ability to write, read, and comprehend technical specifications. Ability to write reports, business and client correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and the general public.
Math Ability:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; internet software; Chief Architect (or comparable design software); Cabinet Vision (optional); ACT! and Microsoft Outlook.
Certificates and Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee can be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near tools and equipment; work in elevated, and at times precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; risk of electrical shock and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands; reach with hands and arms and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.