Outsourcing 3D Interior Design and 3D Exterior Design

Jun 25, 2014

There are lots of various methods available in market which can help you to integrate 3D interior design and exterior design for your home. 3D interior design and 3D exterior design can help you to visualize your building before real construction. With the help of this method you can make as much changes as you want for better looking interiors and exteriors.

Outsourcing 3D interior and exterior design services providers convert interior designs to digital formats using CADD. They are also providing CAD services for 3D drafting from preliminary design data and sketches, elevations, sections and printed drawings. Their expert designers offer a full range of interior designs in 3D format utilizing various CAD software formats.

These expert designers take the concept into the real world with 3D drafting of the interior designing and also convert interior designs into 3D models, 3D renderings, 3D sectional views and 3D photo-hybrid-fusion for different view points of view creating a virtual scene.

The other main advantage is that it allows you to be as innovative as possible without actually having to go out and do something about it. You can just sit at your computer and try different things while planning for the long term of where you actually want to take the design. By outsourcing your interior and exterior design related requirements to your offshore clients you can also save your valuable amount of time and money.

Advantages of outsourcing 3D Interior and exterior Detailing Services:

o Affordable pricing
o High accuracy
o Minimum Turn around Time
o Advanced technology
o Quality workmanship
o Excellent project management experience
o Valuable customer service

Expert interior designers and architects use their creative minds to conceptualize spaces in the most amazing fashion. They use 3D interior and exterior rendering and design to communicate the same to their clients and get the approvals for construction.

The Interior Design Process

Do you really need an interior designer?

You may know what you want, but aren't quite sure where to begin. A professional designer will guide you through the design process with a well thought out plan to help you avoid costly mistakes such as furniture that is too large, colors that are not working and contractors who don't do quality work. They will introduce you to new ideas and solutions.

The Goal

The goal is to prevent common pitfalls and costly mistakes. A professional interior designer will assist you throughout the number of project phases so that you feel comfortable with your decisions. They will work with you to make sure your project is not only beautiful, but practical and functional.

There are several steps that are included in this process. They are as follows:

Initial Consultation

A meeting is held at the project site to see the space and talk about your the functions of the space and design style. This process allows ideas to be formulated. It includes reviewing an idea book that illustrates a variety of design styles and color schemes. A designer will then analyze the results to determine a specific style so that the space is a reflection of you and your personality.

Design and Proposal Fees

Based on the initial consultation, a detailed proposal that outlines the scope of services to be performed is presented. Depending on the scope of the job, there are two types of fees. A one time design fee or flat fee or an hourly fee. Typically a retainer is requested at this time before proceeding with the project. More detailed questions regarding your needs, utilization of space and budget are also discussed.

Detailed Measurements

After the proposal is accepted, a follow-up consultation takes place for detailed measurements and evaluation of existing conditions and furnishings. If there are blueprints for the project they should be provided at this time.

Space Planning

A two-dimensional space plan is proposed and discussed to address particular needs and function of the area being designed.

The Conceptual Presentation

Based on prior meetings, a preliminary conceptual design scheme is presented. Various elements are depicted with photos, sketches, magazine shots and samples of finishes, such as flooring, counter tops, cabinetry, wall and window treatments, lighting and hardware to help visualize the overall plan. Once the concept has been accepted and approved, several meetings may take place in showrooms or on the project site to view additional samples. Specific details are discussed in greater depth during this phase.

Budget/Estimate

A preliminary budget is prepared based on the materials and design ideas proposed during the concept presentation. The budget is evaluated and analyzed at this time. Once items are agreed upon, purchase orders are created and placed with manufacturers and contractors. Follow up on orders include: tracking and lead times, deliveries and coordination of contractors.

Project Management

Contractors are recommended based on the project. The contractor will provide a negotiated bid based on current market values and a remodeling project timetable is evaluated. Pre and post construction meetings and onsite visits during construction are conducted, ensuring the fulfillment of design intent and maintenance of quality levels.

Installation

Oversight of actual furniture placement and installations are overseen ensuring proper locations and quality.

Interior Design Tips - Downsizing Inside And Out

Jun 17, 2014

According to the National Association of Home Builders, single-family homes are continuing to get smaller and all indicators show this trend is likely to continue. So it only makes sense that this trend applies to the interior of your home as well.

When it comes to conceptualizing your home design and decorating projects, downsizing and minimizing creates a more zen-like atmosphere. Rather than fill a space full of furniture, artwork, accessories and objects at every turn, consider downsizing for a more sophisticated and elegant look. The more upscale homes are often the ones that incorporate elegant pieces, keep clutter to a minimum and exude light and airy interiors - where less is more.

Before you begin your home design project, take stock and inventory of what you have. It will help you identify which pieces will stay and which will go! Don't be a hoarder - be willing to let go!

Here are some design tips when streamlining your home.

  • A room with high ceilings does not mean that it requires over-sized furniture and elaborate draperies on the windows. To the contrary, the openness of the ceiling can be a beckoning call to minimize other distractions.
  • Rather than focusing on heavy, bulky furniture, think about incorporating smaller scaled furniture that are well proportioned.
  • When purchasing new pieces don't compromise on comfort! Purchase the best you can afford.
  • Don't compromise on function.

The exciting thing about downscaling is that it allows you to upscale on the patterns used in a room. For example, the trend now is to introduce larger geometric prints on window treatments or even wall coverings. These punches of pattern can create a dramatic effect while complimenting the elegance of moderately sized furnishings. For some added elegance and drama, consider using black and white photographs and prints as artwork.

Another important tip when it comes to decorating a small space is to introduce reflective metals and surfaces. They can include silver, chrome, gold, mirrors, crystal, and other types of metals. There is still a heavy focus on mirrored chests and dressers today and these pieces definitely add sophistication and elegance to any space. Mirrored wall tiles will have a dramatic effect when reflecting killer views and natural light. And don't be afraid to install a beautiful glass and crystal chandeliers in the more unconventional spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms for that added glamour.

Remember that when it comes to home design and decorating projects, less is more and will make your room feel more spacious.

Interior Design Tips for Using Wall Art With Antique Picture Frames

Jun 16, 2014

If you find your walls dull and monotonous, it would be a great idea to add hanging art and picture frames to your wall. However, even if these walls had pictures or paintings on it, there are times that these artworks are just not enough. If you have already planned to re-decorate your dull-looking walls but you have no idea how to start, then you might want to acquaint yourself with the process on beautifying your home walls.

Redecorating your interior walls is just like redecorating your home. This might need quite a bit of effort especially if you are inexperienced in interior design. Although interior design can be done by professionals, regular inexperienced individuals, just like you, can also be able to re-decorate walls using a little bit of creativity and imagination. Of course, you might need some expert advice along the way, but you can totally do it on your own.

Plan Ahead

Have you decided to start conceptualizing the design for your interior walls? If you have, then you might need to plan ahead. Considering that you are inexperienced, you will need to set up a plan for the design that you want. You need to consider what you want to change, your budget, the tools you will need, and the time frame for your project.

If you want to retain the original wall design, it would be much nicer to add some items to further enhance the design, such as art and picture frames. If you have already found that right art piece for the wall and the right spot to place it, that would be the time to put it on display for all to view. Things to remember for putting up the pictured or art frame would be a good thing so as to bring out that interior designer within you.

Primarily, we should determine the best place to hang the art piece or pictures. It is better to choose a picture or painting to be the center of attraction. It doesn't need to be on the center, but you can emphasize the frame amongst all the other artworks. Make markings, like using a pencil, to serve as a guide for the exact location to hang it. Choose the right hook, depending upon the weight of the picture and hammer it on the marked spot. Hang the picture and adjust it to make sure it is placed correctly.

There can be a lot of things to consider in hanging pictures. Here are a few of those:

* The pictures would look better if they are hung along the eye-level, which usually starts at 5 feet and 6 inches. For offices or areas where there are chairs, pictures are best hanged at the seated eye level.

*It is better to have a group of pictures rather than a single picture placed on the wall.

*It is better to make a design for it first, on where to place the art pieces.

* Make enough space for pictures to stand out from the group of pictures.

*Make sure to inspect and replace for pictures that fades with time.

Other tips would be to use white or light colored mats for the pictures, as they give emphasis to the art and picture frames. But that would depend upon the picture itself. Contrast is the key to address such an issue. To prevent fading, avoid striking the pictures to the rays of sunshine. Instead of nails, it is best to use hooks to hold the pictures. Try alternating large and small picture frames as it gives a nicer effect. If multiple pictures are to be placed, you could select one to be its center or its main picture.

In this article, you have learned quite a few yet effective tips in decorating that dull wall. But as experts say, be not be afraid to experiment as it unleashes your creative side.

Unusual Interior Design Ideas

Jun 9, 2014

Those moving into a new home for the first time as well as those upgrading their home may want to express their individuality through the materials and design elements they choose. Architects, interior designers and general contractors can all help conceptualize and implement a desired look. Below are just a few suggestions as to how to free your mind of more standard looks for your home and realize what's possible when you let your imagination run wild.

1. Creating a nature room inside the home. Imagine a carpet of grass and moss, trees and bushes planted into the floor of your home. Furniture in tropical colors or in muted tones to blend into the surroundings. People crave quiet spaces in nature, so why not create a natural room inside your home? Hidden speakers can add ambiance and water features such as fountains and rivers that run from inside to outside the home can all help you feel like your sanctuary is an escape into your perfect vision of solitude.

2. Mix up wall materials. Beyond paint, wallpaper and tile, unique materials add a certain touch to a room that won't often be copied. Silk walls, walls of gold or steel or even leather will have guests commenting on your remarkable design.

3. Use of arches and angles. Think of the calm feeling that comes over one as they enter a church. Religious or not, the stained glass windows and impressive arches often give people pause for a moment and create a sensation of awe. There's no reason tall repeating arches can't be used inside a home. Stained glass windows as large as you like will change the look and feel of any room.

4. Create a theme for a room, then make every single detail of the room fit into that theme. For example, if you like water, consider small ponds for sinks or showers made of glass that looks like icicles. Paint the walls blue and use a variety of small tiles of various blue colors to create the feel of movement in your home.

5. Don't forget the exterior. What types of materials can you use that are out of the ordinary? What about a mesh layer over the home? Shutters, as simple as they may sound transform the look and feel of a home.

No matter what your personal preferences, whether they are natural, industrial, minimalist or bright and cherry, there are ways to make a home uniquely yours. Think outside the box and you'll end up with a home everybody in the neighborhood is talking about.

What To Expect When You Hire An Interior Designer

Jun 8, 2014

Despite the common assumption that using the services of a professional interior designer is unaffordable to most of us, choosing this option can offer savings in the long run. But have you ever wondered what's involved in the entire process of house interior design?

Phase one involves gathering and analyzing information and making all the necessary preparations before starting the actual design job. You must formulate a detailed home interior design program that will be customized towards your individual needs and objectives, as well as the size and relationship between spaces and a host of other considerations that will affect how you live in your home. If you hire an interior designer for the job, he or she will analyze your home and determine the best positioning of the furniture and spaces within to capture views and sunlight. During this first phase, the budget and schedule will also be estimated.

The second phase goes under the sign of conceptual brainstorming and exploration. It starts with the creation of a concept diagram of the house interior and several rough design sketches. During this period, designers (hired by you) will come up with the general layout, form and overall appearance of the house's interior. When the layout, size and character of the house are refined, designers focus on the different interior elements such as stairs, fireplaces, cabinetry, and built-in furniture. To help describe some of the important technical details, different drawings will be prepared. Once this stage is finished, 70 to 80 percent of the actual house interior design work will be finished.

The next phase is called Construction Documentation and during this period, the house interior design is translated into a technical language used by the contractor. Working Drawings and specifications are made that outline in detail all of the materials that will be used, where they will be positioned and how they will be installed. Despite the fact that this stage is mostly intended for working out the technical aspects of the project, some design work also takes place. Furthermore, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, and finish materials such as carpet, paint colors and tile are also selected.

In the Bidding and Negotiation phase, you will receive bids from different contractors that will do the actual work. The designers you work with have a list of contractors for hire. You will be able to review their bids and negotiate the different proposals.

The last phase of the house interior design process is the actual making (construction). During this stage, interior designers will answer questions, review submittals and shop drawings and review monthly certificates of payment that are submitted by the contractor. The very final selections of fixtures and finishes are also done here. Once this stage is completed, the entire house will be thoroughly inspected to guarantee that everything is done as it should.

Interior Design as a Career Option in India

Jun 1, 2014

It may seem that all you need to be a good interior designer is a sense of aesthetics and a flair for design. That is a good start, yes, but it gets you about five feet forward in terms of your career. The first thing to do is to turn a latent, in-born talent into an effective tool. Just because you can figure out what looks nice and what doesn't does not make you a good designer or decorator. You may know how to use light and colour, how to synthesize architectural elements with design details and how to integrate space and design, but that is about five percent of the work. Most of the real work begins when you come to the execution.

Some formal education in the basic concepts of interior design is absolutely essential. There are many schools, which will give you a basic background course, and most of them are diplomas, but they are all very elementary in terms of the knowledge and the skills they provide you with. You could either pursue a full-fledged course at a reputed institute, preferably one with accreditation; or you could learn by working with someone who is a storehouse of talent. Work with the best, work for free if you have to, because it will be worth it. But regardless of where you get the education and for how long, the one thing an interior designer must always remember is that one is a lifelong student. Every day gives you an opportunity to learn something new about the trade and explore another aspect of its limitless potential.

If you have an eye for design, make sure that is turned into an artful skill, by practicing at every opportunity. Read everything you can, observe design aspects wherever you go...make mental notes and if possible keep a journal with points you pick up along the way. There is no substitute for hands on experience so get into it as early as possible. If you aren't paid for it, don't worry...learn all you can and explore every opportunity to test your know-how. Because it will tell you all you don't-know-how-to. Use your home and any space that is offered to you as a guinea pig. Work out your concepts and present your vision. Explore the dimensions of your own creativity before you ask others to entrust their money ,time and space to you.

Create a portfolio of your work. Try to do as many varied projects as possible. It will teach you all you need to know first-hand and also work as a showcase for your talent. Interior design or decor is about space planning, conceptual genius and a lot of hard work. While design is a major aspect, if you don't have fundamental business skills, you will never be able to succeed independently. When you strip it of the design and glamour accoutrements, what you have left is a lot of planning and time-management skills, labour management, client handling, costing analyses and execution abilities. If you cannot transform what is in your head into something that is concrete, you are perhaps better suited to the drawing board.

Research every aspect of your trade. Find suppliers, understand products and build relationships. These people will be your backbone. The stronger they are, the more upright your standing will be professionally. They can get you better deals, which means you can offer clients a better deal, and that is one way a new kid on the block gets business. Once you are familiar with different styles, concepts in flooring, wall coverings, soft furnishings, accessories and art you must find the suppliers who will actually deliver the goods.

While you are meeting clients, learn to do one thing. It will determine your success as an interior designer. It is not your ability to design. It is your ability to LISTEN. Understand your client. Find out what their lifestyle is. Discover what their likes and dislikes are. Find out what they need and desire. You will find that it may not necessarily coincide with what you would instinctively recommend. Which leaves you with two choices. If you can find a point of convergence, try to assimilate their wants into your presentation as much as possible. If you find no meeting ground, you are better off recommending someone who can deliver the goods rather than work on a project where you will derive no satisfaction, and the client will offer no appreciation. At the end of the day your designing style and their requirements have to meet halfway. For it to be a worthwhile enterprise.

A smart thing to do while you train to become an interior designer is to specialize. You could always diversify later, but initially it is a good idea to find a niche for yourself. If you would like to do residential interiors focus on that for a few years. If commercial spaces are your cup of tea, gain experience in such contracts. If you think you want to be left only to design and stay away from the rest of the madness, then stick to just designing. If organizational skills are your forte, turn to project management. Find out what your skills are and then start honing them. Until you reach a stage when you can start honing another skill.

A good interior designer should be able to work well with anyone from the architect to the civil contractor. If you just want to do your own thing regardless of their suggestions or requirements, the simplest project will turn into a nightmare. At the end of the day, if you, along with all the others involved in the project, including your client, cannot be a cohesive team, the whole thing will fall apart.

If your creative genius can be coupled with practical ability, you are well on your way to becoming a successful interior designer.

Learn the ABC of being a good designer

--Integrate concepts and styles to give a unified décor

--Maintain a sense of equilibrium. Balance is the key.

--Know your field. Know your client. Never presume to be bigger than either.

--Never stop learning--Never stop listening

--Innovate. Don't get trapped into predictable design.

--Never underestimate the value of good service. It tends to pay higher dividends than design.

--Time management and scheduling skills. Plan and execute.

--Coordination skills and being a team worker.

--Business expertise. Do an MBA if you have to but get your business concepts right.

--Patience--Eye for detail--Design Skills--Style

--Knowing the latest trends. Information keeps you ten steps ahead.

--Understanding different decorating styles, their uses and limitations

Interior Design Made Easy

Interior design and decoration can be easy, fast, and effective if you know the basics. Everyone wants a good house interior but only a few are willing to do design and decorating because of reasons like alleged lack of time, budget constraint, and the fear of one's unavailability of creative design concepts. It is not really the lack of desire to do it, but rather, the fear of doing it wrong. Although time is really required, such time does not extend for days or weeks. You have been in your house for quite sometime, or even if you just bought it, the design plan can easily be conceptualized by simply remembering your dream house when you were a kid.

This time, just get closer to reality. As for the budget, you need not spend so much. All you have to do is to be creative and resourceful. If you have enough furniture already, then just rearrange them. Buy some house paint and refurbish it. Even a simple general cleaning can lead to a simple design and decorating. The issue on fear of making a not so creative design is very subjective. It is your house and it is you who lives there, thus whatever pleases you would be the best interior design plan for you. Just make sure you don't overdo it nor neglect some basic principles in design and decorating. Some of these basic principles are discussed hereinafter.

There are different things to consider that it normally requires some time from conceptual blueprint to the actual designing and decorating. You have to primarily take into account the type of look you want to give to your house. Having in mind a general idea of how you want your house to look like, you need to determine the best color combinations that perfectly match with the era or geographic basis of your design and decorating plan.

Say, if you want a Mediterranean look, then your color combination must be classic rather than using very light colors. After deciding on the color scheme that fits your design and decorating plan, you then determine the scale of your home interior. This scale guides the owner to design on maximizing the available space, bearing in mind the need to make it appear inviting and organized. Whether your home interior is large or small, the size of furniture you place must always be in proportional to the available space without making it appear cluttered, cramped, and uneasy. Your plan must also be in style. It is not enough that you just go by the book to make sure you do it right. Give your design the elements of your personality and attitude. Style your home interior according to your needs and desires. Your style must also blend with the rest of the elements already mentioned such as color and scale.

With all these, designing your home interior really needs some of your time to make sure you do it right. However, do not fear of experimenting. Make your own plan according to your budget capacity and do not fear of committing mistakes along the way because you can easily rectify it. The main point in interior design is not to please guests, but to give you comfort and tranquility in your own home.