Interior Design Registration

Opinions concerning whether or not there should be a registration system for interior designers in Hong Kong is highly polarized. In our survey, only 53% of employees and employers of interior design firms find it very necessary or somewhat necessary for there to be such a system. Practitioners recognize the advantages of registration, such as helping customers identify professional designers and raising the standards of interior design. The profession would be more respected by clients and interior designers would have greater bargaining power. Moreover, if interior designers are registered, they will be legally responsible for their designs, and thus be more aware of building regulations and codes of conduct. In particular, respondents feel that there should be a comprehensive regulatory and punitive system or such codes will be disregarded and rendered meaningless. In focus group discussions, respondents commented that other professions within the building industry such as architecture already have well-established systems of professional assessment in place.  They recognize that licensing or registration for interior designers is a growing trend throughout the world, and countries such as the United States, Malaysia and the Philippines have already adopted such a system. The Hong Kong interior design profession will lag behind the rest of the world if it failed to professionalize the industry. Despite these advantages, focus group participants remarked that interior design registration is not a simple yes or no question, and a great deal depend upon what criteria is used to evaluate interior designers. They think that because many practitioners do not have a degree or diploma in interior design, a registration system based on academic qualifications alone would exclude many people. They think that the number of years of experience should be one of the qualifying requirements in any registration system to be adopted. Moreover, they suggested that the industry be properly consulted and informed before any action is taken, and that the criteria used to determine registration be more inclusive. Among those who disagree with registration for interior designers, many cite the complexity and diversity in designer’s job function to be a hindrance to registration. They are unsure whether registration should be done according to the types of projects designers are involved in, or according to the scale of projects. They think that for many types of interior design such as residential work, there are few safety issues involved. Moreover, establishing a registration system would affect the employment of practitioners who are not qualified for licensure. These designers think that experience is more important than academic qualifications in interior design.