One Simple Way to Get Started Now

So much goes into a new Library design project.  It's not a quick or simple process and requires a great deal of time from start to finish.  But there's one thing you can do right now to jump start your design process.

Programming!

For your reference, there are technically 6 basic phases of design in the Interior Design process:

1. Programming
2. Schematic Design
3. Design Development
4. Construction Documents
5. Contract Administration
6. Post Occupancy Evaluation

Now these are very specific to the design profession and technically you wouldn't necessarily tackle some of these.  But if you're taking one of my design courses, you will actually encounter most of these. 

So back to programming.  This first and honestly, most critical part of the design process is something you don't need a lot of know how in order to complete.  There are aspects of it that I can teach you to take further into your overall design, but the basics are really just that . . . basic.  And not only CAN anyone do this part, my guess is that if you've already considered a new design on any level for your Library, whether that be just a basic furniture rearranging all the way to an all-out new build, you've most likely taken part in some of these activities by now.

So let's dive in a little further to what the Programming process is and how you can begin that all on your own without taking a single course.

By definition, the Programming phase of design is the "information-gathering phase where you identify and analyze the needs and desires of your project" (as defined by the book Beginning of Interior Environments 9th Edition by Allen, Jones and Stimpson). 

Quick side note: I studied this book during my Interior Design courses at Brenau University and one of the authors, Lynn Jones was my professor.  She was one of THE best at that University and my carefully molded Interior Design brain was greatly influenced by her.  She was and still is very special to me and I'm pleased to say we still keep in touch.  

And on that nostalgic note, let's get back to Programming.  Ultimately you are working through a process of gathering all your information about your project so that you can compile a larger list that you will eventually fine tune to give you the final concept statement for your entire design.  This concept statement will be the anchor for every design decision you make from that point forward.  So you'll want to take it seriously and get it right.

But don't let that intimidate you.  Your design concept will naturally flow from the list making process and information gathering exercises you will do.  

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HOW

First you're going to need two major items:

1. A trusted team of no more than 3 or 4 people
2. A lot of paper for note taking

A quick note about your team.  You really don't want to go over 4 people and that includes the team leader.  This will make your job much easier if you select the team you can trust and keep that team as your acting decision makers and/or influencers from the beginning of the design to the final touches.

You can work with dedicated staff members who really know what the Library needs or even volunteers that are trustworthy and capable for the task at hand.  But keep it to a more intimate number.  Too many decision makers or influencers will be nothing but chaos for you.

Trust me on this one.

Once you have your team, start brainstorming.  Have several brainstorming sessions to really talk through what's missing in your Library and what people are in desperate need of based on the project type.  And then start making lists.

WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR LISTS

Here's a brief, but thorough, breakdown of what I teach my students in my beginners class:

• Your design preferences
• Your space needs
• The relationships between spaces and departments
• Furniture (both existing and needed)
• Basic budget numbers (don't get too caught up here - plenty of time for that a little later)
• Patron needs and wants
• Staff needs and wants
• What you want the space to look like
• How do you want the space to feel
• What's the purpose of the changes you wish to make
• What kind of time schedule are you facing

These are all just suggestions to get your wheels spinning, but they should help you to gain a clearer picture of how deep into design your project may need to go.  Hopefully this will help you determine the size, scope and budget needed to achieve the needs of your Library.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These list-making exercises are not just for organizing information.  As I said before, they really help you to gauge where you stand and what your next steps should be.  You will learn more about your projects true needs by the time you've completed these brainstorming sessions than you ever imagined.