Interior designers must regain that exciting dimension

Thanks for the Design Week Awards – our very own design oscars were glamorous and schmaltzy and I loved it.

However, I left feeling a sense of dishonour. Where were my talented interior buddies? They never miss a party.

It’s not that I expect more categories, although that would be fabulous (lighting and an ‘eco aware’ award, for instance?). But if there were more introduced, would there be submissions to them? No, you said it yourself, you ‘hope that corporate offices will make a stronger showing’. We’ve got work do – design groups especially.

Only 30 entries for Workplace Interiors? Where are all the rival consultancies that I pitch against?

I commend the winners, but there was little that stretched the boundaries of convention. Is this the best encouragement for our industry?

We embrace issues of new technologies, culture and legislation daily and are still inventive. So where were all the innovative interiors? What about the workplace interface with lifestyle? Retail, where were you and what was new?

We interior bods have to get with the programme and follow our 2D cousins’ lead with publicity. The 2D design link to advertising and PR is no longer a valid excuse for poor interior representation.

We know interior branding is critical to success; it completes the circle of business benefit. So let’s show the industry what we can do. Let’s rally the troops. Let’s fly the flag for 3D. Next year I want to see real recognition for interiors because we matter.

Taylor Hammond

Director

Rowland Design

taylor@rowlanddesign.co.uk