Interior Designers play an important role in the process for creating or refreshing a workspace. Designers who work on commercial spaces guide clients to select layouts, materials, colors and furnishings that align with the company’s culture, needs and goals.  

Together with Architects, commonly referred to as AD (architecture and design), Designers work to understand their client’s business model, team structure, priorities and brand to then suggest design concepts that maximize value and performance of their workspace.  

Space evaluations, measurements and conceptual drawings provided by designers and the firms they work for visualize ideas and possible solutions that eventually lead to blueprints and drawings, often leveraging computer programs like CAD.  

Floorplan drawings help to provide scale, fit, cost and function before work is done in a space or furnishings are ordered. Modern software like Revit, Sketchup and Autodesk.  

Common phases of interior design on a project include discovery, where information is gathered from stakeholders, scope and schedule are determined as well as some initial concepts may be produced.  

Next, there is the programming phase where goals and budget are determined and the existing or proposed space is analyzed.  

In the Schematic design phase, preliminary plans, layouts and materials are generated to lead into the design development phase where final recommendations are made.  

One approved, the interior designer helps to coordinate work, schedules and trades during the construction administration phase.  

This is also often when a furniture dealer and manufacturer (or manufacturing) partners are selected to help facility the ordering, procurement, delivery and installation of the furniture for the workspace.  

And finally, once the space is complete, the designer usually takes part in the final walk through to make sure everything has been completed and the client is happy.  

As you can see, from start to finish, a commercial interior designer is a key stakeholder to ensuring a successful project.