Applied Interior Design

Introduction
In the following pages, you will review:

o What are technical and working drawings in the context of

interior design?
o Why is it important to include accurate technical drawings in
the design process?
o What are the types of technical/working drawings?
o What information is included in the project specifications?
o What is a drawing package?
o What are the important graphic conventions and symbols used
in technical drawing?
o What are the systems of measurement and scale used in
technical drawing?

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What are technical and working drawings in the
context of interior design

Drawings are meant to convey a message through visual language—they

are a system of communication based on shapes, colour, light and media.

The most familiar type of drawing is artistic drawing.

Like all works of art, drawings can represent real or imaginary objects. An
artistic drawing expresses a feeling, an idea or a moment. The artist’s task
is to select and arrange various visual elements to convey a message with
a personal dimension.

Technical drawings are also meant to represent a concept, but unlike

artistic drawings, the goal is for that concept to actually be produced.

Technical drawing in interior design involves creating detailed, precise

illustrations of the layout, dimensions and design elements of a space.
These drawings serve as construction documents and help communicate
the design concept to architects, contractors and the client.

Technical drawings can be done by hand or on a computer.

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Drawing by hand

Drawing by hand involves using a drafting table and precision tools.

Drafting on a computer

Drafting on a computer—through computer-aided design, or CAD—is done using a

program such as AutoCAD.

Today, changes are made to design projects all throughout the creative
process, and it must be possible to quickly adjust or revise drawings. Most
design firms therefore prefer to do this work on computers.

Once the technical drawings are approved for use in the project, they are
typically referred to as working drawings. Technical drawings are
therefore a broader category that includes all drawings created to represent
produceable designs, while working drawings are the finalized technical
drawings used on site to construct the design.

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Working drawings serve as a comprehensive set of instructions for
individuals involved in the design, construction and maintenance of a
building or structure. They provide the necessary information to ensure that
the design is accurately communicated and implemented according to the
intended specifications.

Why is it important to include accurate technical

drawings In the interior design

Accurate technical drawings are crucial in the design process for several
reasons:

1. They provide a clear and standardized way to communicate design

intent, ensuring a common understanding among all involved parties.
2. Precise drawings aid in planning and executing construction, helping to
avoid errors and ensuring that the final result aligns with the designer’s
vision.
3. Technical drawings serve as a valuable reference throughout the
construction phase, facilitating efficient coordination and
communication among architects, contractors and other professionals.

A lack of communication in a project can cause problems—a deficient

drawing may lead to errors during the execution phase. The technical
drawings for a project therefore need to be done correctly to guarantee
quality results.

What are the types of technical/working drawing

Technical drawings used in interior design typically include floor plans,

elevations, sections, details, reflected ceiling plans and furniture plans.
Let’s look at some examples.

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Floor plans provide a view of the space, Elevations depict vertical views of walls,
indicating the layout, dimensions and showcasing the height and design of surfaces,
placement of walls, doors, windows and including details like cabinetry, moulding and
furniture. other vertical elements.

Sections show a cut-through view of the space, Details zoom in on specific design elements,
often illustrating details such as ceiling height, offering a close-up view of features like joinery,
construction materials and the relationship moulding or unique fixtures.
between different areas.

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Reflected ceiling plans (RCPs) outline the
placement of lighting fixtures, ceiling
elements and other overhead features.

Furniture plans focus specifically on the

arrangement and dimensions of furniture
within a space.

What information is included in the project

specifications
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Technical drawings must align with project specifications. Project

specifications typically include detailed information about the requirements,
constraints and parameters of the project. This information helps guide the
design and construction process.

Here are some common elements found in project specifications with some
brief examples:

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1. General information includes details such as project title, location,
client information, project number and date.

Example: General information

Project title: Modern Office Renovation

Location: 123 Main Street, Springfield
Client information:

o Client name: XYZ Corporation

o Contact person: John Doe
o Contact information: email@[Link]

Project number: PRJ123

Date: 15 March 2025

2. Scope of work provides a description of the work to be done,

including specific tasks, deliverables and objectives.

Example: Scope of work

Specific tasks:

o Space planning and design

o Furniture and fixtures selection
o Technology integration
o Sustainability considerations
o Budgeting and timeline management

Deliverables:

o Design concepts and renderings

o Detailed floor plans and 3D models
o Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) specifications

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o Project schedule and budget report

Objective:

o Enhance productivity
o Promote collaboration
o Reflect brand identity

3. Materials and products include specifications for the materials,

products and equipment to be used in the project. This may include
information about material properties, dimensions, quality standards and
suppliers.

Example: Materials and products specifications

Material properties:

o Eco-friendly materials
o Durable finishes

Dimensions:

o Standard office furniture sizes

o Customized workstation dimensions

Quality standards: ANSI/BIFMA standards for office furniture

Suppliers:

o ABC Furniture Suppliers

o XYZ Lighting Solutions

4. Technical requirements detail the technical specifications related

to design, construction, installation and performance standards. This may
include parameters such as dimensions, tolerances, load capacities and
safety requirements.

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Example: Technical requirements

Design parameters:

o Open-plan layout for collaborative spaces

o Ergonomic workstation design

Construction standards:

o Building code compliance

o ADA accessibility requirements

Safety requirements:

o Fire safety measures

o Emergency exit signage

Example: Technical specifications for wall unit

Dimensions:

o Overall height: 240 cm

o Overall width: 300 cm
o Depth of shelves: 30 cm
o Clearance height for TV compartment: 90 cm
o Height of base cabinets: 75 cm
o Height of upper cabinets: 90 cm

Tolerances:

o Tolerance for shelf alignment: +/- 5 mm

o Tolerance for cabinet door gaps: 2 mm
o Tolerance for overall squareness: 10 mm over 3 m
o Tolerance for finish application: Smooth and even with no
visible defects

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Load capacities:

o Shelf load capacity: 25 kg per linear metre

o Cabinet load capacity: 50 kg per cabinet
o TV compartment load capacity: 75 kg
o Total unit load capacity: 250 kg distributed evenly

5. Drawings and diagrams illustrate the design, layout and spatial

relationships of project components. These may include floor plans,
elevations, sections, details and schematic diagrams.

A schematic drawing or diagram is a simplified layout plan that outlines

basic elements like the furniture arrangement and room structure to convey
the initial design concept.

6. Design criteria provide guidelines for the design process, including

aesthetic considerations, sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

Example: Design criteria

Aesthetic considerations:

o Modern design aesthetics with clean lines and minimalist

elements
o Colour schemes reflecting company branding

Sustainability goals:

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o Use of recycled materials
o Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems

Regulatory requirements:

o Compliance with local building codes and environmental

regulations

7. Construction methods include instructions and guidelines for

construction of the design elements. This may include information about
site preparation, foundation systems, structural framing, techniques,
sequences and finishing details.

Example: Construction methods for wall unit installation

Site preparation:

o Clear the designated area where the wall unit will be installed.
o Ensure the site is free from debris, obstacles and obstructions.
o Verify the dimensions and layout as per the design plans.

Foundation systems:

o Assess the existing wall structure for stability and load-bearing

capacity.
o If needed, reinforce the wall with additional studs or support
beams.
o Ensure proper anchoring of the wall unit to the floor and wall for
stability.

Structural framing:

o Use high-quality wood or metal studs for framing the wall unit
structure.
o Follow the specified dimensions and spacing for the studs to
support shelves and cabinets.

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o Incorporate backing panels for secure attachment of heavy
items and equipment.

Techniques and sequences:

o Begin by assembling the individual components of the wall unit,

such as shelves, cabinets and panels, according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
o Install the assembled components onto the structural framing,
starting from the bottom and working upward.
o Use appropriate fasteners and hardware for secure
attachment, ensuring proper alignment and levelness.

Finishing details:

o Apply a suitable finish to the wall unit components, such as

paint, stain or laminate, to match the design scheme.
o Install trim pieces and mouldings for a seamless and polished
look.
o Test the functionality of doors, drawers and hinges for smooth
operation.

Safety considerations:

o Ensure all electrical outlets and wiring are properly integrated

into the wall unit if applicable.
o Check for any sharp edges or protruding hardware that could
pose a safety hazard.
o Secure heavy items and equipment within the wall unit to
prevent tipping or falling.

8. Quality assurance and control include procedures for

inspections, testing and verification of compliance with specifications and
standards.

Example: Quality assurance and control procedures

o Regular inspections during construction phases

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o Testing of materials and equipment for compliance
o Verification of design specifications and standards

9. Schedule and key milestones provide timelines for the phases of

the project, including design, approval, procurement, construction and
commissioning, as well as important dates, such as deadlines for
deliverables.

Example: Schedule and key milestones

o Design development (April–May)

o Client approval (June)
o Procurement and vendor selection (July–August)
o Construction and installation (September–November)
o Final inspection and handover (December)

10. Cost estimates include estimated costs for materials, labour,

equipment and other expenses. This may include detailed breakdowns of
costs for different phases or components of the project.

Example: Cost estimates

o Materials: $50,000
o Labour: $80,000
o Equipment: $20,000
o Other expenses: $10,000

Total project cost: $160,000

11. Contractual requirements governing the project include terms

and conditions, warranties, insurance and dispute resolution procedures.

Example: Contractual requirements

Terms and conditions:

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o Payment schedule based on milestones
o Confidentiality agreement
o Change order procedure
o Warranty and maintenance guidelines

Insurance: Contractor must provide liability insurance coverage

Dispute resolution procedures: Mediation or arbitration in case of disputes

12. Regulatory compliance involves compliance with applicable

laws, regulations, codes and standards, including building codes, zoning
ordinances, environmental regulations and safety regulations.

Example: Regulatory compliance

Applicable laws and regulations:

o Building codes: Compliance with local building codes for

commercial renovations
o Zoning ordinances: Adherence to zoning regulations for office
spaces
o Environmental regulations: Proper disposal of construction
waste and use of eco-friendly materials
o Safety regulations: OSHA standards for workplace safety

These are just some examples of the information that may be included in
project specifications. The specific content and format of project
specifications can vary depending on the nature of the project, industry
standards, client requirements and other factors.

Interior designers must understand the project specifications to make

informed decisions about materials, ensure coordination with other
professionals, stay within budget, comply with regulations and maintain the
design’s aesthetic and functional intent.

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What is the drawing package?
A drawing package refers to a collection of drawings or design files that
are organized for a specific project or purpose. These packages typically
include all the necessary drawings, layouts, details and other related files
needed to complete a particular project or task.

Drawing packages in AutoCAD can contain various types of drawings, such

as floor plans, elevations, sections, details and 3D models. They are often
organized in a hierarchical structure, with main drawings linking to other
drawings or files as references.

Drawing packages help streamline the design process by keeping all

relevant project files together in one place, making it easier for designers,
architects, engineers and other stakeholders to collaborate and share
information effectively. They also facilitate version control and ensure
consistency across different drawings and project phases.

What are the important graphic conventions and

symbols used in technical drawing

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Applied Interior Design
Line types

• Continuous lines represent visible edges and outlines.

• Dashed lines signify hidden or invisible elements.
• Dotted lines may indicate features like centrelines or alternate positions.

Symbols for materials

Different hatching patterns or shading may denote various materials or finishes.

Dimensioning symbols

o Arrows indicate the direction of measurements.

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o Dimension lines specify the size of elements, and numerical values
indicate exact measurements.

Symbols for doors and windows

Standard symbols represent doors, windows and their swing direction.

Furniture symbols

Icons and symbols represent various types of furniture, helping to visualize their
placement and size.

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Electrical symbols

Symbols for outlets, switches, light fixtures and other electrical components are used
in reflected ceiling plans.

Text and labelling

Annotations provide additional information, such as material specifications, notes or

room labels.

Together, these elements transmit all the information required to read the
drawing. Knowing how to read and interpret your drawing will allow the
project to be correctly executed.

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What are the systems of measurement and
scale used in technical drawing?
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A technical drawing without dimensions would be useless: these

measurements provide information on proportions, the shape of a space
and the placement of objects.

To maintain the exact proportions of a space when represented on paper,

you must know how to use systems of measurement and scales.

Systems of measurement
There are two systems of measurement most commonly used around the
world: imperial and metric.

The imperial system uses inches and feet for measurements.

The metric system, or International System of Units, uses millimetres,

centimetres and metres.

Metric system or International System of

Imperial system
Units (SI)

Feet (ft.) Metres (m)

Inches (in.)

1 foot = 12 inches 1 metre (m) = 100 centimetres (cm) = 1000

1'-0'' = 12'' millimetres (mm)

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Applied Interior Design

Metric scales
Of course, it isn’t possible to reproduce the actual dimensions of a room in
a drawing, as this would require a sheet of paper at least as large as the
room. Instead, we use scales.

A scale tells you about the relationship between the dimensions of a

drawing and the actual measurements of what is represented. For
example, if a drawing uses a scale of 1 to 100, this means the actual
measurements are 100 times larger than what you see in the drawing. A
door that is 2 centimetres high in the drawing will have an actual height of
200 centimetres, or 2 metres.

Here are the scales used in the metric system:

1:1 (actual size)

1:2
1:5
1:10
1:20
1:50
1:100
1:200
1:500
1:1000

Selecting a scale
Scales are selected based on the quantity of information to transmit and
the actual measurements of the object depicted in relation to the size of the
paper available.

The term large-scale is used for drawings whose ratio is close to 1 to 1.

Objects appear larger relative to the size of the drawing. This type of scale
is used to represent small objects with more detail and clarity.

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Conversely, a small-scale drawing greatly reduces the dimensions of an
object. For example, you might use a scale of 1 to 1000 to show the entire
site or to situate buildings in relation to one another. Small-scale drawings
allow for a broader view but lack the detail of large-scale drawings.

However, for a single project, all plans for the same floor will normally use
the same scale.

Imperial scales
When indicating the dimensions of a plan in imperial units, the scale will
usually be one-quarter inch to the foot (1/4'' = 1').

Note: The double prime symbol ('') stands for inches, while the single
prime symbol (') stands for feet.

For a project using a scale of one-quarter inch to the foot, each quarter inch
on paper will represent one foot (or 12 inches) in real life.

A few other scales are occasionally used instead, which include:

o One-half inch to the foot (1/2'' = 1')

o One-eighth inch to the foot (1/8'' = 1')
o Three-eighths inch to the foot (3/8'' = 1')

Imperial units in decimals

Though inches are normally expressed as fractions, it’s useful to know the
value of these fractions in decimals.

Product dimensions are often expressed in decimals in manufacturer

catalogues.

For example, the dimensions of a bathtub could be written like this:

71.375'' x 35.438'' x 24.188''

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Which corresponds to:
71 3/8'' x 35 7/16'' x 24 3/16''

To convert a fraction to a decimal, you divide the numerator (top number)

of the fraction by the denominator (bottom number).

Look at the following table. It shows some examples of the decimal

equivalents for each fraction.

Inches in fractions Inches in decimals

1/2 0.5

1/4 0.25

1/8 0.125

3/8 0.375

1/16 0.062

3/16 0.188

5/16 0.312

Converting drawings
There may be situations in which existing plans for a project use the imperial system,
whereas the new plans need to be created in metric units. The old drawings will
therefore need to be converted.

An inch is equal to 2.54 centimetres or 25.4 millimetres, while a millimetre is equal to

a little over 39 thousandths of an inch.

The following table shows a comparison of metric and imperial scales. The
first column lists the most common imperial scales, and the second column
shows the equivalent ratio. The third column shows the corresponding metric
scale.

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It’s not necessary to memorize this table. You just need to know how to use it when
necessary.

For example, the dimensions of a drawing with a metric scale of 1 to 25 could be

converted to imperial units at a scale of one-half inch to the foot.

Imperial scale Ratio Corresponding metric scale

12'' = 1'-0'' 1:1 1:1

3'' = 1'-0'' 1:4 1:5

1'' = 1'-0'' 1:12 1:10

1/2'' = 1'-0'' 1:24 1:25

1/4'' = 1'-0'' 1:48 1:50

1/8'' = 1'-0'' 1:96 1:100

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