In response to the editorial addressing interior design licensing, the students of UF's Department of Interior Design would like to have the opportunity to respond to the many misconceptions about the profession put forth.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification defines interior design as "the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design." Commercial design projects require an occupational license to protect the health, safety and welfare of the occupants. Unfortunately, many injuries and fatalities in the past result from inadequate design. At UF, we learn to design health care facilities, educational institutions, corporate environments, etc.
Many professions require education, experience, examination and licensing. Why should the interior design profession be any different?
Note: Thirty-nine students from the UF Department of Interior Design endorsed this statement.
Clarissa Carr
UF Graduate Student
Interior Design
