Advocacy
IIDA advocates for the advancement in design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design. We are strong advocates for the registration, and/or certification of practicing interior designers who work in a code-impacted environment.
What does it mean to advocate for your profession?
To advocate for interior design means to support, champion, and commend the profession to people, organizations, and legislators. It also means knowing how to communicate what interior designers do to various stakeholders. Public perception influences your practice in many ways, including your legal standing as a professional at both the state and national levels, access to resources, salaries, and the way you are treated by clients and colleagues alike.
As commercial interior designers, you have the opportunity to work with IIDA to advocate for legal recognition so that you may expect more from your careers in terms of control, growth, project ownership. Participate in direct action and learn how to successfully talk to your legislators about interior design, engage with current best practices and breakthrough research, and recognizing interior design through IIDA's advocacy program. We encourage you to be involved in advocating for your profession on the state and national levels.
What is Commercial Interior Design?
Why does Certification matter?
According to the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs must adhere to all state and local codes and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.
Interior designers follow life-safety, fire, and building codes, and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications, as well as best practices for wellness, sustainability and green building practices, and ergonomics. Professionals maintaining current interior design certification are knowledgeable of new codes, initiatives, and key design strategies and act as advocates for the general public and their own communities. They also have the opportunity to mentor students and younger design professionals on the realities of the practice and create a dialogue of issues relevant to the industry.