|
About Us
CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS INTERNATIONAL (C.I.D.) was formed to recognize the trained Interior Decorator as a professional. C.I.D. fills the need for those who opt, by choice, to remain independent of government regulation by limiting their activities to the services normally provided by INTERIOR DECORATORS. As a professional association, C.I.D. is acknowledged for "RAISING THE BAR" and setting the "STANDARD" in the DECORATING INDUSTRY.
CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS are set apart as proven, trained and tested professionals with earned credentials. The professional designation of C.I.D. relieves the trade sources and decorator showrooms nationwide of the need to carefully examine individuals claiming to be "decorators” thus alleviating a major problem that showrooms face on a daily basis. The earned C.I.D. credentials also provide the consumer added confidence in the selection process.
CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS INTERNATIONAL (C.I.D.) serves as a dual purpose CERTIFYING BODY and PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION. Apart from continual membership in C.I.D., an individual cannot be considered as “Certified”. The term "Certified Interior Decorator" and the appellation "C.I.D." are registered trademarks as originally filed (1997) in the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, DC.
FAQ'S
What is the difference between an Interior Decorator and an Interior Designer?
 A college education majoring in Interior Design is necessary for a person to become an INTERIOR DESIGNER. However, due to licensing laws in various states, many Interior Designers have been "grandfathered" into licensing and professional organizations without education or specific training in INTERIOR DESIGN and many are without formal interior design education. The consumer cannot know whether their designer was ever college educated. They must take the time, during the first contact, to ask what college they attended and what was their major? There are many do-it-yourselfers or self-appointed "decorators" and "designers” flooding the marketplace. The consumer must look for two things: first, CERTIFICATION; and second, professional AFFILIATION. Interior Designers are CERTIFIED by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and usually maintain a PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
INTERIOR DECORATORS are CERTIFIED by and maintain a PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP in CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS INTERNATIONAL (C.I.D.). A Certified Interior Decorator (C.I.D.) must complete training by a C.I.D. approved educational program. They are not required to have a college degree. There are several good INTERIOR DECORATOR programs available on a POST-SECONDARY educational level administered by direct mail or online. This is a perfect situation for individuals desiring to make a CAREER CHANGE without the additional time or expense required to go back to college. C.I.D. members may also be required to maintain a local occupational license as an INTERIOR DECORATOR on a County level only, and tax resale certificate on the State level. CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS INTERNATIONAL (C.I.D.) does not permit GRANDFATHERING, which is based on experience only without recognized education.
Can an Interior Decorator provide the same services as an Interior Designer?
INTERIOR DECORATORS can give advice as paid consultants, including the selection or assistance in selection of surface materials, window treatments, wall coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface mounted lighting, surface mounted fixtures, and plan or specify LOOSE FURNISHINGS for residential, business, restaurant, yacht or hospitality interiors. In various states licensing Interior Designers, the Interior Decorator usually cannot plan architectural changes or space planning, design built-in permanent furniture or provide reflected ceiling plans. They can, however, make verbal recommendations for lighting and built-in cabinetry and minor architectural changes, such as changing windows or doors, to clients, their builder and/or architect.
Are "Certified Interior Decorators" more affordable then Designers?
Unlike Interior Decorators in the past, a Certified Interior Decorator (C.I.D.), has the same CREDITABILITY and BUYING POWER as a trained professional Certified (or Licensed) Interior Designer and can actually earn as much as designers. Certified Interior Decorators are not required to perform architectural interior design and therefore are not required to achieve education on a college level as required by interior designers. As consultants, they can be more affordable since they are not required to have a college degree and do not have to maintain fees for licensing, continued educational programs and the other costs incurred by being State regulated. Charges for furnishings are about the same due to trade discounts being equal for INTERIOR DECORATORS and INTERIOR DESIGNERS.
Is C.I.D. recognized and accepted nationally as an organization for Interior Decorators?
C.I.D. is recognized as a professional member association listed in trade magazines such as INTERIOR DESIGN, INTERIORS & RESOURCES and many other publications. We are listed worldwide on the Internet and are recognized internationally as the only MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION and CERTIFYING BODY exclusively for CERTIFIED INTERIOR DECORATORS.
|
