Scouting for an interior designer Anybody and everybody is a designer today. So scouting around for a genuine one is no easy task. With no government license required to practice, individuals are free to masquerade as designers. In India, a designer might hold a three-year diploma or may have completed a part-time course through a polytechnic.

An affiliation to the Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID) is one way of ensuring some professional responsibility of the designer concerned. Designers who are members of the IIID are obliged to follow the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct laid down by the body.

Individuals with a five-year degree in architecture may also practice interiors and for major works involving demolishing of internal walls it's advisable to consult one.

Since professional credentials are not easily verifiable, your best starting place is friends, relatives and colleagues who know of good interior designers. Did you like the way a friend's house was done up? Ask him for a reference.

Here are tips which will help you get by:

Question the designer as to his experience, the name of the institute from where he passed out and the type of projects he has handled. Looking for something offbeat? Design firms with signature styles may not be suitable. A big name might not be apt for someone with conservative tastes.

Don't make a decision based on photographs and 3-D images. Lighting, a bunch of flowers and slight shuffling of the furniture can make the appearance deceptively glamorous, which could be a far cry from reality.

Ask the designer for references and make a trip to the homes of previous clients. Preferably visit an ex-client who had done a job of a similar size as yours. Ask what existed before and how it was changed. Did they have any problems? Was he adamant or to suggestions?

Did he stick to his budget? Was he accessible, punctual, prompt with the deadlines? If the end result looks mediocre, take the hint. Look for honesty, clarity of thought and a professional attitude. Some designers might not value your interaction and involvement in the process while others are able to implement ideas effectively.

A willingness to experiment with innovative ideas is also something to look out for. A designer relying too heavily on formulas may be unable to provide dynamic solutions. Then again, if you know exactly what you want, go with the designer who can implement your ideas speedily. Give him an idea of what you would like done and then request him to give a ballpark figure for a quote. Get quotes from a couple of them and look into the reasons for the discrepancy.

Ask him from where he plans to get his materials and if he can produce bills for each and every payment made.

Once you shortlist a designer, you can request him to draw up a blueprint, which he may do for a fee. That should help you make your final decision.

Most importantly, you must be very comfortable with your designer. His task is more than just selecting and arranging furniture, fabric and accessories. His aim is to let your home reflect your personality and speak about the person you are or aspire to be. The only way you can achieve this is to work closely with your designer and ensure that he understands your requirements clearly to provide the best solution.