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Programa
Updated: 02 April 2025
Master time, profit & creative vision

The truth about design business profitability

 

You didn’t become an interior designer to spend your days rebuilding project plans from scratch—or navigating awkward conversations about your value every time a new client signs on.

And yet, here you are, juggling timelines, deliverables, and scope—all while your creative energy gets drained by repetitive admin tasks.

Every hour spent on setup is an hour lost to the part of your business that actually moves the needle.

So, what if you could reclaim that time?

What if your projects started with the same clarity and elegance you bring to your designs?

This isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter—by implementing project templates and offering packaged services that scale with your studio.

 

We've partnered with ASID New York Chapter to bring guidance on best practice ways to setup your studio and take more control of your time, profits and focus more on the designs.

Watch the recording

Available to all US timezones

Master your time, profits, and creative vision with Programa

 

Here's how you can streamline your design workflow

  • Identifying your most profitable project types.
  • Mapping time and pricing for accurate pricing and budgeting.
  • Building templates and libraries for efficient project management.
  • See how tools like Programa can assist in these processes.

Whether you’re new to Programa or a seasoned user, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and practical strategies you can implement right away.

Why attend this US focused Programa webinar?

If you’re an interior designer or creative professional with projects across America. If you want to level up your workflow and streamline your design services, this webinar is for you.
MKCA MWP

The hidden cost of disorganized project management

In competitive design markets and cities like New York, efficiency isn't just nice-to-have—it's essential for survival and growth.

That’s not just time saved—that’s revenue reclaimed. Billable hours that can go back into design work and client relationships.

Design firms using standardized project templates reported a 20–25% reduction in admin time.

2023 Interior Design Business Handbook Survey

 

Template mastery: your secret weapon for scalability

Most design studios operate with inconsistent systems, leading to:

  • Unpredictable timelines
  • Repetitive project setup
  • Scope creep and misalignment
  • Difficulty scaling operations

The solution? A strategic template ecosystem that:

  • Streamlines your process
  • Standardizes the client experience
  • Protects your creative bandwidth
  • Supports your studio’s growth
Programa keeps everything in one space

How to create your project management ecosystem

Audit your project types

  • What are your core service offerings? (styling, full renovation, new build)
  • What are the consistent phases in each project type?
  • Which deliverables repeat across similar projects?

Build your master templates

  • Create a distinct workflow template for each service offering
  • Include standard timelines and phase structures
  • Pre-populate with repeatable tasks and milestones

Evolve from templates to products

  • Package these templates into clearly defined service offerings
  • Assign appropriate flat-fee pricing to each service package
  • Create clear deliverable scope that clients can understand
  • Set boundaries for out-of-scope work to protect your time

Firms implementing standardized processes saw a 15–20% improvement in project completion times.

ASID State of the Industry Report, 2022
Project Management built for Interior Designers

Packaged design service: Transform how clients see your value

Stop selling abstract "design services." Start offering concrete design solutions as products.

Traditional design services challenges:

  • Vague scope boundaries
  • Difficulty communicating value
  • Endless customization requests and back and forth
  • Difficulty forecasting revenue

Packaged service advantages:

  • Clear deliverables clients can understand and visualize
  • Defined processes with transparent timelines and expectations
  • Predictable workloads and budgets for your team
  • Premium positioning in the marketplace attracting the right clients

 

Interior design firms using defined service packages saw 28% fewer cases of scope creep.

ASID Business Performance Study, 2022
Client Dashboard

The power of a Product Library

Your product library isn't just a catalog—it's the foundation of your design consistency and efficiency.

It’s where you keep:

  • Pre-vetted furniture collections for different project types
  • Align specifications across multiple projects
  • Eliminate repetitive selection work
  • Consistent material specifications ready to add to the project

 

With Programa's Product Library, you'll:

  • Eliminate redundant specification work
  • Ensure consistent quality across projects
  • Reduce errors in ordering and implementation
  • Present cohesive options to clients live via the Client Dashboard effortlessly
Product Library

If practices are disciplined about their positioning and their client portfolio, the firm becomes stronger than the sum of its parts.

Harvard Business Review,'What Professional Service Firms Must Do to Thrive' 2021

Project template showcase: the design package

Imagine what your productized design service and corresponding template might look like for a "Design or Styling Package":

Phase 1: Discovery

  • Onboarding & contracts
  • Client questionnaire (template)
  • Site floor plan & photography
  • Style direction presentation

Phase 2: Conceptualization

  • Space planning (2 options)
  • Pinboard development
  • Initial product selections
  • Client feedback round

Phase 3: Specification

  • Final selections
  • Procurement schedule
  • Client sign-off process

Phase 4: Implementation

  • Delivery logistics
  • Installation coordination
  • Final styling + photography
  • Post-project client wrap-up

Instead of starting from zero, you’re delivering a repeatable, high-value experience—with less stress, more profit, and clear client expectations.

Programa helps us manage several projects across multiple teams and see quickly what’s cataloged, approved, and the status of things.

Michael ChenFounder, MKCA

Programa: Powerful tools

Programa gives you the tools to streamline your design business:

  • Customizable project templates
  • A growing, centralized product library
  • Specification & Project Schedule tools that save time
  • A Client Dashboard that keeps communication clear

 

This isn’t just about project management. It’s about business transformation.

Table of contents
  1. What is a Spec Sheet?
  2. The Power of Programa
  3. Flexible Design Features
  4. Ease of Use
  5. Cost Savings
  6. Increased Productivity
    1. What’s New at Programa?
    2. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Features
    3. Pricing Update: Supporting Continuous Improvement
    4. Thank You for Being Part of the Programa Community
  7. 13 June 2024
  8. 07 June 2024
  9. 06 June 2024
  10. 04 June 2024
  11. Interior Design Software For Professional Interior Designers
  12. Interior Design & Architecture Software For Professional Interior Designers & Architects
  13. Essential Project Management Tips for Interior Designers
  14. 2. Develop a Detailed Project Plan
  15. 3. Use the Right Project Management Tools
  16. 4. Maintain Open Communication
  17. 5. Monitor Budgets Closely
  18. 6. Prioritize Time Management
  19. Conclusion: The Path to Successful Interior Design Projects
    1. How It Works
    2. Viewing Your Schedule
    3. Approving Products
    4. The Benefits of the Client Dashboard
    5. Simplify Your FF&E Selection Process
    6. Effortless Updates and Revisions
    7. Collaboration Made Easy
    8. Optimized Finishes Schedule Management
    9. The Future Of FF&E With Programa
      1. Finally, control over product presentation
      2. Curate to convert
      3. Update and share
    10. The Issue
    11. The Solution
    12. The Result
    13. 28 November 2024
    14. 27 November 2024
    15. 26 November 2024
    16. 20 November 2024
    17. 19 November 2024
    18. 19 December 2024
    19. 17 December 2024
    20. 10 December 2024
    21. 09 December 2024
    22. 03 December 2024
    23. 13 November 2024
    24. 08 November 2024
      1. The End of Creative Interruption
      2. Where Inspiration Meets Intelligence
  20. The Dawn of SmartSpec: Your Creative Companion
    1. Creativity Amplified
    2. Beyond Documentation: The Future of Design Workflow
    3. Your Practice, Transformed
    4. Join the Creative Revolution
    5. The Future is Here
    6. Experience the Transformation
    7. Welcome Back!
    8. 06 January 2025
    9. The Importance of Project Management in Interior Design
    10. Tips for Becoming a Better Interior Designer
    11. Real-World Examples of Successful Project Management in Interior Design
    12. Product Approvals are engineered to streamline designer-client collaboration.
    13. Main Benefits Of Product Approvals
    14. Creating & Submitting Approval Requests
    15. Client Approval Process
    16. Tracking Approval Statuses and Feedback
    17. Schedules Update:
    18. Client Dashboard & Brag Stats
    19. Pinboards Update
    20. Web Clipper Update
    21. On the Horizon
    22. Streamlining Complexities and Enhancing Collaboration
    23. Managing Multiple Projects with Conflicting Deadlines and Resourcing Needs
    24. Communicating with Clients, Contractors, and Suppliers
    25. Sourcing Materials and Products
    26. Resolving Conflicts and Addressing Challenges
    27. Streamlining Project Management with Programa’s Studio WIP: A Cross-Project Management Solution
    28. Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with Programa’s Client Dashboard
    29. Leveraging Programa’s Cloud-Based Specifications for Efficient Material and Product Sourcing
    30. Take Control of Your Studio Today
    31. Why Don’t Spreadsheets Suit The Needs Of Interior Designers?
    32. Enter Programa
    33. Clear and Precise Presentations
    34. Easier Management of Data
    35. Exports That Work The Way You Do
    36. Based in Sydney, YSG is a multi-disciplinary practice trailblazing architectural builds and interior design across the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. The studio charges spaces with atmospheric potency, staging, and storytelling driving their narrative process. With bold concepts and resourceful details, YSG's projects hopefully stir the soul and spark an emotive drive to feel one's best self within them.
  21. Discover the future of sourcing and specification within Programa
  22. The marketplace made for designers and suppliers
  23. What’s new. Trade Portal 2.0?
    1. Sleek new look and feel
    2. Find exactly what you need
    3. Recommendations, category and brand highlights
    4. Tailored to your needs
  24. Why designers love this
    1. Start using Trade Portal 2.0
      1. Support
    2. 14 May 2025
    3. 07 May 2025
    4. 01 May 2025
    5. 23 April 2025
    6. 12 April 2025
    7. 9 April 2025
    8. 7 April 2025
    9. 3 April 2025
    10. 1 April 2025
    11. 28 March 2025
    12. 25 March 2025
    13. 20 March 2025
    14. 18 March 2025
    15. It's that time of year!
    16. 31 October 2024
    17. 30 October 2024
    18. 29 October 2024
    19. 24 October 2024
    20. 23 October 2024
    21. 22 October 2024
    22. 17 October 2024
    23. 15 October 2024
    24. 11 October 2024
    25. 10 October 2024
    26. 07 October 2024
    27. 03 October 2024
    28. 02 October 2024
    29. 30 September 2024
    30. 25 September 2024
    31. 20 September 2024
    32. 19 September 2024
    33. 17 September 2024
    34. 13 September 2024
    35. 11 September 2024
    36. 06 September 2024
    37. 05 September 2024
    38. 02 September 2024
    39. 30 August 2024
    40. 27 August 2024
    41. 22 August 2024
    42. 21 August 2024
    43. 20 August 2024
    44. 19 August 2024
    45. 16 August 2024
    46. 15 August 2024
    47. 14 August 2024
    48. 12 August 2024
    49. 13 August 2024
    50. 07 August 2024
    51. 08 August 2024
    52. 09 August 2024
    53. 05 August 2024
    54. 01 August 2024
    55. 31 July 2024
    56. 30 July 2024
    57. 29 July 2024
    58. 26 July 2024
    59. 23 July 2024
    60. 18 July 2024
    61. 12 July 2024
    62. 09 July 2024
    63. 05 July 2024
    64. 04 July 2024
    65. 02 July 2024
    66. 01 July 2024
    67. 26 June 2024
    68. 19 June 2024
    69. 18 June 2024
    70. 17 June 2024
    71. 30 May 2024
    72. 27 May 2024
    73. 24 May 2024
    74. 23 May 2024
    75. 16 May 2024
    76. 14 May 2024
    77. 09 May 2024
    78. 03 May 2024
    79. 02 May 2024
    80. 29 April 2024
    81. 24 April 2024
    82. 22 April 2024
  25. April 16 2024
  26. 15 April 2024
  27. Other updates
  28. 11 April 2024
  29. <strong>09 April 2024</strong>
    1. Traditional Quality with Modern Efficiency
    2. Collaboration: Orchestrating a Seamless Symphony
    3. Precision is crucial: Mitigating Errors
    4. All-encompassing Project Management
    5. A Library at Your Fingertips
    6. Conclusion: The Renaissance of Design
    7. What is an Interior Design Quotation?
    8. Key Components of an Interior Design Quotation
    9. Interior Design Quotation Format and Free Template
    10. How Do You Create an Interior Design Quotation Quickly & Easily?
    11. Beyond the Proposal: Invoicing with Programa
    12. Start Your Project Proposals with Programa
    13. What you’ll learn in this article:
      1. Price Is Positioning
      2. Strategic Pricing
      3. Profitability = Power
      4. Clarity Is Luxury
      5. Embodied Confidence = Energetic Alignment
      6. Your Next Move
    14. Client Portal
    15. Client Communication
    16. Rebranding
    17. Client Testimonial
    18. Software Solution
  30. The future of sales and marketing for A&D brands
    1. What sets Programa apart?
  31. What’s in Trade Portal 2.0?
    1. Sleek new interface
    2. Advanced search and filters
    3. Showcase product collections by category
    4. Curated recommendations
    5. What's unique for brands?
      1. Programa Interior Design Software: A Comprehensive Project Management and Collaboration Solution for Architects and Interior Designers
      2. User-friendly Interface and Tools for Seamless Project Management
    6. Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2025
  32. 1. The Importance of a Strong Digital Presence
  33. 2. Leveraging Social Media Engagement
  34. 3. Implementing SEO Optimization Techniques
  35. 4. Offering Virtual Consultations and Collaborating with Others in the Industry
  36. 5. Showcasing a Diverse Portfolio and Staying Ahead with Future Trends in Client Engagement Strategies
  37. Embracing the Evolution of Marketing for Interior Designers in 2025 and Beyond!
    1. Master your time, profits, and creative vision with Programa
    2. Why attend this US focused Programa webinar?
    3. Template mastery: your secret weapon for scalability
    4. How to create your project management ecosystem
    5. Packaged design service: Transform how clients see your value
    6. The power of a Product Library
    7. Project template showcase: the design package
    8. Programa: Powerful tools
  • Interior Design
Reading: Master your time and profits with Programa, Programa Online Webinar
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Join the world’s best studios

What if your projects started with the same clarity and elegance you bring to your designs?

This isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter—by implementing project templates and offering packaged services that scale with your studio.