IDO’s newest NCIDQ Certified Designer
IDO proudly congratulates designer Sara Kotarski, RID, for successfully completing the NCIDQ exam earlier this year! We took a moment to speak with her about why becoming a certifed professional and subsequently registering with the State of Indiana is important to her. Please join us in celebrating Sara’s accomplishment!
1. What drove your decision to pursue NCIDQ qualification? – I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself and expand my knowledge in order to further my career, so the NCIDQ was the next logical step!
2. Why do you support becoming a Registered Interior Designer in the State of Indiana (RID)? – The RID designation shows people that you are not only capable of creating beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing spaces, but that you possess the expertise and ability to design safe, functional interiors that protect public health, safety, and welfare. Having this knowledge and understanding proves your credibility and competency to employers, peers, clients, etc.
3. What was the most challenging and rewarding part of the exam? – The most challenging part of the exam, for me, was the race against the clock. In general, I have always been a quick test taker, so I assumed that I would have plenty of time left to come back to my flagged questions and double check all of my answers…boy was I wrong! I had to speed through the end of the exam just to make sure I didn’t leave any answers blank!
The most rewarding part of the exam was all of the encouraging words and support I received from my family, friends, and other designers in the community. It wasn’t easy devoting every lunch break, weeknight, and weekend to studying, but the encouragement I received along the way kept me going, and boosted my confidence come exam day.
4. Can you tell us about a project or task that has benefited from your NCIDQ experience? – It seems every day I run into something I didn’t know before taking the NCIDQ exam! One recent example would be a laboratory design that I reviewed. I noticed that the fire extinguishers seemed oddly far apart, so I started doing the math. The code states: 1) The minimum number of fire extinguishers must be calculated based on (1) fire extinguisher per 3,000 sq. ft. and 2) Fire extinguishers must be located no more than 75 feet from the furthest occupant. Turns out one of our fire extinguishers was more than 75 feet away, so we had to relocate it.
5. What advice would you give to designers who are considering becoming NCIDQ certified? – Take the exam sooner rather than later! It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday craziness of life, thinking you do not have the time or energy to study. The reality is, the longer you wait, the harder it is to get back into the “college student/studying” mentality. Check your eligibility and create a plan for yourself. There is no time like the present!
