Читать книгу Professional Practice for Interior Designers - Christine M. Piotrowski - Страница 81

An office furnishings dealer is, in a sense, a retail showroom for commercial furniture products. Office furnishings dealers primarily design office complexes, though some also design other kinds of commercial interiors. They will have showroom displays and an inventory to back up what is displayed. Many office furnishings dealers have certain exclusive products that they expect their staff designers to specify most often.

An office furnishings dealer rarely sells products at suggested retail. More often, products are sold at a discount from suggested retail or at a markup on cost. Outside salespeople are largely responsible for selling furniture products, while the design staff provides planning services. Design services are billed to clients as would many other types of design studios.

Office furnishings dealerships can provide excellent entry‐level opportunities for those interested in commercial interior design. Designers are expected to have strong computer skills for the preparation of drawings and specifications. It often takes at least two years to advance to a position of project responsibility. The pay is usually a salary for the designers, who might also be eligible for commission on certain items.

Becoming a member of the sales staff at an office furnishings dealership is another option for interior designers. Salespeople's primary responsibility is to sell furniture and other products. They are usually not required to be designers, although many were at one time, and are generally not required to do any interior design planning. Sales staff must generate new business and are paid a commission on the furniture products they sell.