Reference Guide for Design Professionals, Students and Affiliates
Hey there! It’s a new year, so you know what that means? A new reference guide! As a newly minted design professional, I’ve compiled a list of reference books and materials that I’ve found most helpful as I’ve moved into professional practice. So, whether you’re a design student like I was (Interior Architecture MFA C/O 2023!), a new designer, an industry pro or someone who falls in-between: I hope you find this series helpful!
This first installation is all about reference books and professional practice guides 🎉
As someone who believes deeply in education (and who identifies as a ✨ girl’s girl ✨) - there’s no gatekeeping here! 🥹
So, whether you’re shopping for a recent grad, a colleague or yourself- I’ve got you covered!
xo Cherish-Joie xo
The List ✨
The Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your Space (Hardcover)
Sold by Amazon for $17.69 (from $29.99)
Frida Ramstedt believes in thinking about how we decorate, rather than focusing on what we decorate with. We know more today than ever before about design trends and furniture and now Frida familiarizes readers with the basic principles behind interiors and styling—what looks good and, most of all, why it looks good.
The Interior Design Handbook teaches you general rules of thumb—like what the golden ratio and the golden spiral are, the proper size for a coffee table in relation to your sofa, the optimal height to hang lighting fixtures, and the best ways to use a mood board—complete with helpful illustrations. Use The Interior Design Handbook to achieve a balanced, beautiful home no matter where you live or what your style.
Written by Frida Ramstedt with Illustration by Mia Olofsson
Residential Interior Design: A Guide to Planning Spaces (Paperback)
Sold by Amazon for $52.75 (from $75.00)
Discover a practical guide to residential space planning, in this room-by-room guide with up-to-date info on accessibility, ergonomics, and building systems.
In the newly revised Fourth Edition, this book delivers the gold standard in practical, human-centered residential interior design and provides updated content related to CIDA standards in human centered design, regulations and guidelines, global context, construction, environmental systems, and human wellbeing. It’s also an indispensable resource for anyone preparing for the NCIDQ, the interior design qualification exam.
Written by Maureen Mitton and Courtney Nystuen
Research-Inspired Design: A Step-by-Step Guide for Interior Designers (Paperback)
Sold by Amazon for $120.00
This book prepares interior design students for understanding how to change their professional practice from a project-based activity to a knowledge-based activity.
Robinson and Parman address the different forms of quantitative and qualitative information, the different sources of materials (especially in the age of the Internet), and how to differentiate these sources and types of information. Instructors will find the text a vital research aid for the student to develop analytical skills and help them transform these scientific models into unique and innovative processes for their design projects.
Written by Lily B. Robinson and Alexandra T. Parman
Branding + Interior Design: Visibility and Business Strategy for Interior Designers (Hardcover)
Sold by Amazon for $24.43 (from $29.99)
The home goods market in the United States is the largest market in the world. So why do some interior design firms thrive while others barely survive? The answer lies in one powerful little word: brand.
More than a pretty logo, it involves telling the story of your distinct point of view--who you want to serve and why you do business--and it's a process that happens from the inside out. This book bridges the gap between designer and design leader and shows pros how to define, value, and communicate their vision; find clients who are a fit; and master the art of being visible.
Written by Kim Kuhteubl
Professional Practice for Interior Designers (Hardcover)
Sold by Amazon for $68.43 (from $103.00)
Aside from being talented, creative, and having a good eye for design; interior designers must have a comprehensive understanding of the business side of design in order to be successful. Firms of all sizes and specialties must demonstrate excellence in their business practice and display a higher level of professionalism in order to gain the trust of their clients.
From organizational and problem solving skills, to managing timelines and budgets; it is critical for an interior designer to understand all aspects of the business. Professional Practice for Interior Designers has been the go-to comprehensive business guide for aspiring designers and practicing professionals for nearly thirty years. As the interior design industry continues to evolve, this Sixth Edition has evolved to meet the needs of today's design students and practicing professionals.
Written by Christine M Piotrowski
Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning (Hardcover)
Sold by Amazon for $130.45 (from $203.00)
Interior designers, architects, and other design professionals can still turn to the field’s beloved "Silver Bible" for a wealth of information related to the design and planning of residential and commercial interiors.
Editors Joseph DeChiara, Julius Panero, and Martin Zelnik have brought together contributions from a vast array of firms to give you details derived from actual designs and working drawings, showing various solutions for typical design problems encountered in interior architecture.
You get a wide range of typical layouts and residential spaces, offices, conference rooms, and reception areas, in addition to details of bars, restaurants, and public toilets. This exciting new edition includes new international examples – and provides you with full coverage of healthcare spaces, educational spaces; home offices; videoconferencing spaces; green design; project forms and schedules.
Written by Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik
Interior Design Illustrated (Paperback)
Sold by Amazon for $31.00 (from $65.95)
Interior Design Illustrated is the definitive guide to design for interior spaces. Richly illustrated in author Francis Ching’s signature style, this book introduces complex design concepts in a visually stunning format; from defining the space and using the elements of design, to planning building systems and incorporating sustainable materials, this volume embodies the idea that beauty and function are not separate entities, but two parts of a whole.
This new fourth edition has been updated to reflect the latest building codes and design practices, with discussion of new materials related to acoustics, lighting, and sustainable furnishings. Renewed attention to sustainability includes new information on energy conservation, design for longevity and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, as well as an updated discussion on LED lighting, workplace design, use of color, and computer modeling software to provide a well-rounded view of how interior design firms are working today.
This classic text brings the elements and principles of design to life, giving students the practical skills they need to transition from idea to concept.
Written by Francis Ching
The Interior Plan: Concepts and Exercises (Paperback)
Sold by Amazon for $93.38
This introductory-level text introduces students to the planning of interior environments, addressing both the contents of the environments and the process of interior space planning.
Topics include the making of rooms, the design of effective spatial sequences, functional relationships among project parts, arrangement of furniture, planning effective circulation systems, making spaces accessible, and designing safe environments with efficient emergency egress systems. Exercises throughout the book facilitate learning by encouraging students to apply ideas and concepts immediately after reading about them.
Written by Roberto J. Rengel
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