FAQ

Q: What is the SBID?
A: The Society of British Interior Design is the standard bearer of the British interior design profession. It exists for the betterment of practice, education and in doing so protects consumer’s interests.

Q: Who does it exist for?
A:

• Professional with a Degree: Primarily membership exists for design practitioners, as a destination to share ideas, network, learn new technologies and processes and in doing so will demonstrate competence.
• Professional without a degree: Those partly-qualified are provided with a path to improve their skills, equal to those with a degree through an alternative method unveiled in January 2010 with the aim to direct their career thus making a qualified but untrained practitioner become truly recognised as a professional.
• Student on a degree programme: To act as a springboard for students on a degree course by providing a year long nurturing partnership by the year 2012.
• Clients: A portal for consumers to check the credibility of practitioners measured and vetted by a third party organisation providing a truly transparent and measured accreditation system of value and trust.

Q: How does it further my business Opportunities?
A: SBID will offer a number of CPD programs during the year, to keep you up to date with all areas of the Interior design industry.   Networking events in each region will run alongside these programs to further business opportunities and industry growth.  A member will need to complete a certain number of hours to ensure they are up to date with all current and proposed regulation. 

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Until the renewal date of 2011 membership fees are set at the rates below:

• Professional Member 295 + VAT
• Group Members up to 19 employees 2,500 + VAT 20 employees or more 5,000 + VAT
• Corporate Member 295 + VAT
• Educational Member 195 + VAT
• Associate Member 195 + VAT
• Student Member 25 +VAT
• Retired Member 195 + VAT
• Media Member 295 + VAT
• Affiliate Member 195 + VAT

History This is a moment in time to engage in the method of how the profession will be promoted and monitored within Britain.

Economical Downturn. Confident you will find the benefit of membership worthwhile; the flat-rate has been set to provide equal opportunity for everyone suitable to belong to this national organisation regardless of turnover.

Q: What is different about the Society of British Interior Design to other organisations?
A:

• Education - defined career route based on 4 years education including a degree course
• Entry system – you do not need a degree if you enter before 2012 your experience will be converted to match the missing year of trained education as laid out by the European Council of Interior Architects.
• European Market – The Society is connected to 7,000 members across Europe of equal competence and skill.
• Collaboration – The Society has collaborating agreements and partnering associations in place with some 34 organisations with three specific differential agreements making The Society of British Interior Design the ultimate destination for the professional practitioner, the student and the manufacturer.

Q: Is this the right National organisation for interior design within Britain for me?
A: The Society of British Interior Design is the National organisation for interior design with the highest qualification standards in that only those experienced with qualifications (amounting to 4 years in education) plus 2 years work experience or alternative (see website membership categories). This is in alignment with the European Council for Interior Architects and Designers of which the Society of British Interior Design is the British representative. All Full members of the Society of British Interior Design are required to provide Professional Indemnity insurance to practice within Britain in order to protect the public and their clients.

Q:What’s in it for me?
A: Professional Accreditation may be used by all designer members, for use on company stationary, business cards, email signatures and websites.  Each membership category has strict guidelines.  These guidelines are easily accessible for potential clients to view via our website with your consent. 

Q: What’s in it for my Company?
A: Consumers will be able to find their geographically closest Regional Director who holds local knowledge of the benefits of the Society to members and a portal for consumers. To source a designer or supplier with the necessary skills for a proposed project, contact info@sbid.org for 3 recommendations.

Q: I am a student, can I still join the SBID?
A: Only degree awarding interior design courses qualify for student chaptership.  Only students on a degree course can join as a student member. The minimum number to form a student chapter must be 15 students.

Q: How will SBID compete and what does it provide?
A: Education and Qualification is a very important subject for SBID, it has adopted the very highest level of education for its membership criteria by adopting the standards of the European Council of Interior Architects and Designers and through growing links with British and International education bodies which have already raised the standard of Interior Design in Britain.

For the consumer the Society will bring clarity on the difference between experienced professionals and ‘hobbyists’ or amateur designers and will, thus, enable Specifiers, Home owners, Architects and decision makers of Commercial Buildings, to be better informed when making their decisions on new interior design. The primary aim of the Society of British Interior Design (SBID) is to champion the cause of Professional Interior Designers working in the United Kingdom. The Society has pan-European links and is affiliated to the European Council of Interior Architects. Ensuring Consumers receive interior design direction that is qualified to the highest standard.

For the Member SBID is head of the field in interior design in its policy of inclusivity, which includes domestic and commercial design and allows membership for any person or company serving the industry of design with building interiors. Helping Members illustrate their interior design competence.