Test Drive Design
We're dedicating this newsletter to a small part of our design process that we feel brings huge value to our clients. We've always prided ourselves on good communication and in design it is easy for details to be lost in abstraction, so here's a closer look at how we run a project and communicate design ideas by putting them into virtual practice.
Technical drawings have long since been the way we communicate information to vendors to estimate from, jurisdictions for permits and contractors for construction. Because of their accuracy and professional comprehension there's no replacing this staple, but their usefulness in communicating ideas to clients is extremely limited due to their 2D and somewhat arcane nature.
This is undoubtedly the image that comes to mind when you hear an interior designer say "mood-board". For a long time our industries have relied on these to communicate materials finishes and color selections. However like technical drawings they are abstractions of a finished product the designer has in their mind; it lacks the spacial information, as well as the interplay between lighting and surface finishes.
This is where our design process comes into play. When creating a layout for a space we always first construct the model in 'white-mode'. We've found this first step to be necessary in the process to iron out what it is that a homeowner doesn't like about the design; allowing the client to walk through their home in 'white-mode' relays the volume of space (that technical drawings can not), while also not being distracted by their dislike of a paint color or tile selection.
Once the design of the space is locked in we then apply material finishes, paint colors, counter tops, flooring, backsplashes, upholstery, the works. We can effortlessly switch between different styles of cabinetry, sizing of tile, even different wattages of lighting. Unlike the mood-boards of old this allows you to see selections applied to your design and material interplay in all it's glory.
Of course materials, colors and textures all look different in changing light conditions. We create accurate sun and lighting studies for each space to fine tune color selection and electric light temperature.
With the advances in digital technology we've experienced over the last 5 years we are very pleased to put the benefits in the hands of our clients. What you've seen here is part of our regular design process we use on all our projects and is fundamental to the good communication clients have praised us for.
Of course this year we've found extra relevance for virtual design methodologies as COVID-19 makes visits to showrooms riskier, and we are happy to provide an increased level of safety for our staff and clients.