Unsure why you feel you need to hire an architect but lets assume you are not aware of the differences between the two - architect or designer.
In reality, 90% of all residential projects do not require an architect. I am not saying or implying that architects are not needed but facts are facts. The architect may charge the prospective homeowner in the range of 5%-15% of the project cost, whereas a desiger may only charge on the average 3% to10% for "Construction Drawing Set" . The rule is the lower the projected cost, the higher the fee.
The difference is that designers are not licensed architects but may have similar education and background to that of a licensed architect BUT they have not gone through the licensed exam procedure. Most designers have actual work experience in place of the advanced degrees and licenses. It is one thing to be book smart but having no experience on the job, knowing what can or cannot be done is not taught in school. This is not true across the board and I wish not to offend any architects that are extremely skilled in accomplishing the needs of any client. Real life issues are very different than what is taught in school.
When looking for an architect, you can contact,
http://www.aiami.com/home.htm.
When looking for a designer, you can contact,
http://www.aibdmi.com/.
Regardless of who you hire, check out references, look at past projects and make a sound judgement of who is better to accommodate your needs.
