Design Speak lets you in on a some industry lingo so that you will sound oh-so-smart. From abbreviations to acronyms to phrases to trendy words, we’ll do our best to cover it, and we’ll do it in language you’ll understand.

W

wainscot

(pronounced WAYN-skeht, WAYN-skaht or WAYN-skoht)

The first time we heard this word, we confusedly thought the person who uttered it was talking about someone named Wayne Scott (who we romantically imagined was Batman’s cousin or something.) Alas, the term couldn’t be more dissimilar from the strapping millionaire leading a double life. Instead, a wainscot (note the three pronunciation options above) refers to the lining of a wall with a material – commonly wood, but also stone, tile, vinyl, etc. – and usually only on the section three to four feet A.F.F. As with many nouns, you can turn it into a verb, which then means to line a wall with wainscoting (an alternative term for wainscot).

See also: A.F.F.

wall acne

(pronounced wahl AC-nee)

Though the term is somewhat crude, it’s quite descriptive. Wall acne describes the all-too-common array of wall switches that clutter up walls in both commercial and residential interiors. So many times extreme attention is paid to exquisite detailing of a space, only to have an unsightly bank of light switches become a blemish on the fine finish-out. More and more designers are recommending lighting control systems that will easily solve this problem by creating multiple lighting “scenes,” all of which can be set with a touch of a button on a single switch. Wall acne can also refer to other distracting wall-installed items that compromise a design because of their thoughtless or poor placement by their respective trades: emergency strobes, fire alarms, sprinkler heads, speakers, etc.

wallboard

(pronounced WAL-bord)

See drywall.

waste

We’re not exactly talking about what’s in your trashcan at the moment. In regard to manufacturing, waste is considered any material that is produced and/or cannot be used as part of the manufacturing process because it has to be sacrificed to achieve a specific, desired end result or product. More and more these days, the emphasis is on green design and reducing said waste, either by incorporating the materials into other products or coming up with technological solutions to eliminate the leftovers altogether. The old idiom is true: Haste does indeed make waste… but thoughtful planning reduces it.

wave scroll

(pronounced wayv skrohl)

See Vitruvian scroll.

wayfinding

(pronounced WAY-find-ing)

Wayfinding seems pretty self-explanatory – i.e., finding one’s way – but there’s actually a little more to it than that. Wayfinding refers to the use of signage and navigational tools within a public environment, as well as the ability of a person to navigate within these environments, which can encompass everything from shopping complexes, hospitals and hotels to airports, college campuses and parking garages. Wayfinding has become a very researched subject, and many people within the industry specialize in it. Finding one’s way around a space has always been important, but the focus on it’s importance increased when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was adopted. Wayfinding goes way beyond simple signage. The most successful wayfinding involves the collaboration of environmental graphic designers with interior designers and architects so that elements such as colors, textures, motifs, patterns, detailing, etc. aid in a person’s orientation within the space. More and more, electronic systems are being added into the mix, providing dynamic mapping graphics, visual cues and audio instructions.

weephole

(pronounced WEEP-hohl)

A bit of a creepy term for a necessary item. A weephole is a small hole in a material – primarily exterior masonry walls – that allows water to drain out, preventing mildew, mold and rot of the interior structure. Larger weepholes have nylon or plastics screens to prevent insects and debris from entering or blocking.

welting

(pronounced WELT-ing)

You know how when your annoying little brother used to hit you (out of any supervising adult’s sight line, of course), occasionally leaving a nasty raised mark on your body (which really got him into trouble)? That’s called a welt. Use this less than attractive visual image to remember what welting means in the design industry: a raised seam on an upholstered item that is used for both support and decoration. Welting trims out upholstery seams where the textile meets wood or metal frame or where two textile pieces come together. It is usually made up of cord wrapped in fabric, but leather can also be used to cover the cording. Once you start paying attention, you’ll see welting everywhere: pillows, window treatments, headboards, upholstered walls, car, plane and boat interiors, luggage, handbags, shoes, and clothing. Welts can be used singly or in multiples for extra ornamentation. They can be large and shirred or small and smooth. And just to clarify: a welt is a single portion of cording, while welting refers to the cumulative welts on an item.

white paper

(pronounced like the individual words)

The term itself hints at its relative lack of excitement: colorless, yet useful and necessary. A white paper is what you call a detailed or authoritative report on a subject. As you can imagine, they usually read like academic research and concern themselves with informing, not entertaining. White papers regarding the interior design industry are being published all the time with subjects like “Health Risks of Children in Day Care Facilities,” “Difficulties in Code-Compliant Aisle Lighting Design,” and “Individual Characteristics and Open-Plan Office Design.” Check out informedesign.com for an extensive list.

whitewash

(pronounced WHIT-wahsh)

Think of whitewash as Liquid Paper, but on a grand scale. It is a liquid (like a paint, but often thinner) for whitening something, as in an interior or exterior surface of a structure or a piece of furniture. Used in its verb form, it is the act of applying the whitewash liquid or the act of whitening something with whitewash. Note: Go to the SAY WHAT? glossary to read the non-design related definition of whitewash that grew of this original meaning.

work letter

(pronounced werk LET-ter)

As you might imagine, this term describes a letter that defines some sort of work agreement. It’s just a little more involved than that, however. Also known as a “Tenant Improvement Allowance,” a work letter (sometimes also written as one word: workletter) is a list of the building standard items that the landlord agrees to contribute as part of the improvements when a tenant leases a space in a building. Examples of typical building standard items identified include: the amount of partitions (i.e. walls; usually measured in lineal feet), quality of floor coverings, style and type of doors, type and quantity of lights, number of telephone and electrical outlets, etc. Often a work letter carries a specific dollar value, but this figure will be contrasted with a fixed dollar allowance that can be used at the tenant’s discretion in case they aren’t happy with the building standard goodies.

See also: building standard, tenant improvements

workstations

(pronounced WERK-stay-shunz)

See systems furniture.