426 Interiors Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Increasingly, builders, architects, and designers are employing the latest technologies, such as 3D printing, virtual reality (VR), artificial reality, drones, and robot- ics in their creative processes, construction techniques, project management, and visualization techniques. Interior designers use common communication tools also used by people in architecture, engineering, and the construction industries. They all work within the built envi- ronment and need to communicate clearly with each other. In the past, a design student’s innovative idea may have been lost because he or she did not possess adequate manual-drawing skills to clearly communicate it. With technologies today, students of all different skill sets— both manual and computer—can communicate their designs to others. The quality of the idea, however, is still most important. Interior designers use three different methods to express design ideas: oral, graphic, and written. This chapter discusses both manual and digital ways designers visu- ally communicate their ideas. Importance of Good Visual Communication Communication is a two-way street. Visual presenta- tions are those that communicate design ideas to the client in two or three dimensions. Communication requires visual literacy—an ability to interpret and derive meaning from information presented in an image. Graphic communication is the art and science of explaining ideas in picture form. A designer uses visual drawings, diagrams, models, and documents—all types of graphic communication—for ideation, construction, and presentation purposes. During the development of the design, interior designers use the following as they work through design process: ■ Ideation drawings. Based on the client’s needs, designers use ideation drawings to generate and explore ideas and design concepts. These drawings include bubble and block diagrams, concept drawings, and sketches and are generally used during Phase 2—Schematic design. ■ Presentation drawings. Then designers use presentation drawings—also conceptual in nature—to illustrate design ideas and solutions in hopes of selling the design proposal to the client. They are also often conceptual in nature and include sketches, elevations, perspectives, and renderings. The designer generally uses these drawings during Phase 2—Schematic design and Phase 3—Design development. You will learn more about presentation drawings later in the chapter. ■ Construction drawings. Once the client approves the design, construction drawings—or working drawings—offer precise, technical information to enable building or remodeling of the space. Construction drawings include floor plans, elevations, sections, and detail drawings. These drawings are generally prepared during Phase 4—Contract documents. How well you communicate determines how the client perceives your skills as designer. Good design ideas deserve quality visual presentation. How clients perceive your professionalism depends on how good your visual presentation looks and what you communicate about it. The more accurately the client understands the design, the fewer misunderstandings arise, resulting in a happier client at the project’s completion. The bottom line—effective, professional communication makes money, helps eliminate problems, and develops satisfied clients who refer you to their colleagues and friends, Figure 13-1. Introduction The interior design profession relies heavily on the expression of ideas and solutions. The client cannot view design ideas until the designer produces them in some format. Historically, hand-drawn illustrations and hand-built models were developed to assist clients in understanding proposed designs. Today, designers have their pick of many presentation techniques to help clients, team members, and even themselves visualize design proposals for a space that may yet require construction.