Members of Designers' Associations* worldwide (IFI-IIDA-BEDA) are asked to practice their profession in a manner that commands the respect and trust of clients, suppliers, colleagues, and the public.

*Wherever the term «designer» is mentioned in the Code»

a) includes:

  • graphic designers, visual communication designers.
  • product and durable goods designers
  • interior architects and interior designers

b) describes:

individuals, groups, and companies that practice design, either as freelancers or as employees.

 

The professional conduct of each Association member is governed by the following international code:

  1. It will comply with already existing laws and regulations, governing its business procedures and the practice of interior decoration in every apartment of the country where it practices the profession in accordance with this code.
  2. He may offer his services to a client as a consultant or supplier, on the basis of a fee, salary, or commission, provided that his professional services are conducted with skill and in a manner that best serves the client's interests, without sacrificing his professional integrity.
  3. Before signing a contract with a client, they shall clearly define and determine the purpose and nature of the study, the services provided, as well as the method of remuneration for these services. They shall execute these services, as defined, in accordance with the highest performance of the profession.
  4. He will not disclose information without the client's consent.
  5. He will consider his responsibilities as an obligation to his profession.
  6. He shall consider it part of his professional responsibility to take an active interest in studies designed to improve the quality of the human environment, directing such activities in a manner that enhances the dignity of the profession and of the Association to which he belongs.
  7. He will never damage the reputation or professional relationships of another professional decorator.
  8. He shall knowingly not approach a client who has a contract with another decorator, nor shall he reach an agreement, unless that client terminates any such previous relationship with the first decorator.
  9. He will not allow any representative of his business or company to present himself to a client as a designer-decorator, unless given such an instruction for a specific assignment, nor to present himself to the general public as a professional interior designer, until such representation is backed by education and/or experience.
  10. It shall not be implied, through advertisements or other means, that its staff or company employees are members of the Association, provided that the right to use its name is granted solely to the individual who is a member.
  11. It will encourage and assist in the circulation of ideas and information between the interior designer and related professions in anything relevant to these professions, solely and provided that they are guided by the same high standards of professional practice that befit their relationships with their fellow designers.
  12. He will consider it a professional obligation to encourage students who show an interest in interior decoration and will offer assistance, whenever possible, to those entering the profession. Any deviation from this code or any act detrimental to the Union and the profession in general will be regarded as unprofessional conduct, subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors of the Union to which he belongs.

SUPPLEMENTARY PRINCIPLES IN THE CODE

DESIGNER's responsibility to society

Every DESIGNER has a duty as a professional:

  1. To promote the social and aesthetic level of the community.
  2. To work for the benefit of ecological consciousness and the natural environment.
  3. To safeguard the honor and integrity of the profession.
  4. No designer will knowingly accept or engage in work where their personal benefit conflicts with their professional duty.
  5. Every designer, as an employer, must ensure that this commitment of theirs extends to their staff members as well.

DESIGNER's responsibility to colleagues

Every DESIGNER must

  1. not to directly or indirectly defame a colleague, nor to unfairly compete with other colleagues by offering excessive discounts or other similar benefits.
  2. not to accept a work assignment for which another colleague is already working without prior notification to them.
  3. to offer fair criticism (when required) and not to make derogatory remarks about the work or reputation of any of his colleagues.
  4. not to follow his client's instructions when they constitute copyright infringement, or to deliberately engage in any similar act.

Fees

  1. Every designer must decline a design assignment from a client without demanding a reasonably satisfactory fee, with the exception of work commissioned by charitable or non-profit organizations.
  2. Before accepting the assignment, every designer is obliged to define precisely and clearly to the client the method of calculation for their total fee.
  3. Every designer who maintains financial relations with any company, professional, or business that benefits from their recommendations during the execution of work assigned by a client must inform their client or employer in advance of this relationship.
  4. Every designer who acts in an advisory capacity for the selection of a colleague to whom any work is to be assigned must not accept any kind of remuneration from the colleague they propose.

Any deviation from this code or any act detrimental to its Union and the profession will be considered unprofessional conduct, subject to discussion by the Ethics Committee of the Union to which it belongs.