INTERIOR DESIGN PRINCIPLES

What is Interior Design?

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Definition of an Interior Desginer
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The professional interior designer is qualified by education,
experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of
interior spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life,
increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare
of the public.


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INTERIOR DESIGN PRINCIPLES
By the knowledge of basic interior design
principles you can transform any space to look
fabulous.
By walking into a well designed room, you
can sense how everything feels cohesive and
put together. It just feels right.


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1.BALANCE
In design, balance creates a feeling of equilibrium. It is all about equalizing
or approximating the visual weight of objects. Balance is created not just
through shape, but through color, pattern, and texture as well.

Using Visual Weight in Decorating

Darker shades, high intensity colors and warm hues have more weight
than lighter shades, cooler hues and low intensity colors.
Heavy or unusual patterns and forms also seem to have more weight as
they attract more attention.
Transparent forms appear lighter than solid forms.
Reflective surfaces seem to have less weight.
Heavy textures visually weigh more than smoother ones.
INTERIOR DESIGN PRINCIPLES
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1.BALANCE
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TYPES OF BALANCE

There are three different kinds of balance:

Symmetrical or formal:

Traditional or formal spaces call for symmetrical balance where the space
is evenly split into two sides that mirror each other. For example, two
chairs on either side of a coffee table can be said to be symmetrically
balanced.



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Eg. Of Symmetrical balance
This kind of
balance is easy
to achieve as
design elements
are repeated on
each side. If you
are not careful,
this kind of
balance can
become
monotonous and
boring.
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Asymmetrical or Informal:
The visual weights of lines, colors, forms and textures
are balanced without exact duplication. It is not as
ordered as symmetrical balance and can be more
complex and interesting. For instance a sofa can be
balanced by placing two chairs on the other side .

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Radial balance :
It radiates from the center, and we see it most often
with a table in the center and chairs or other seating
grouped around it.

This dining group form shows base table with a
round top, and the tall Chairs balance it out nicely.

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Radial balance is achieved when there is a central focal point
with other elements radiating from it or around it. An example
would be a round dining table, with chairs arranged around it.
There is a lot of repetition of form, texture, and color. Take a
look here at an example of Radial Balance.

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2.Rhythm

Rhythm in interior design comes from repetition. You can repeat
a shape or a color to let your eye move throughout the room.

As in music, rhythm in design is all about creating patterns of
repetition and contrast to create visual interest. You can achieve
this by using the same color or shape at different intervals. Its
purpose is to move your eye around the room.

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Rhythm

For instance, you can establish a rhythm by using a color in the pillows,
picking it up in a painting, and echoing it again in a rug. These repetitions
will help carry your eye around the room.
The red color is repeated in the artwork on the wall and the pattern of the
chairs' upholstery . In turn, the chair fabric is used on pillows that are
placed on the sofa.

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This rug helps give a strong sense of rhythm to this
room.

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3.Harmony and Unity



Harmony is created when all the elements act together to
create a unified message. Just as rhythm can create
excitement, harmony creates a sense of restfulness. For
instance, you can create harmony by using just one color, even
though your forms vary greatly in shape, size and texture.

When all the elements in the interior (from style of furniture to
the colour scheme) work together, a unified whole is achieved.
One way of achieving harmony is through repetition.


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Harmony can be achieved by using similar colors, shapes, or textures so
that there is an uninterrupted flow.
These gray finishes create a harmonious mood. Different shades of gray
and gold create a restful atmosphere, and glass accessories only serve to
continue it.

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While harmony creates a sense of restfulness, it can also add to a sense of
richness, as in this living room.
The sofa ,coffee table, etc. are all upholstered in colors that harmonize. The
rug carries the colors even further. So while you have all different textures,
similar colors bind them together.

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4.Proportion and Scale


Proportion is the ratio between the size of one
part to another, and scale is how the size of
one object relates to another or to the space in
which it is placed. For instance, a large
overstuffed sofa in a small room will be out of
scale.

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Scale is very important for a room to look right. Your furniture should be scaled
according to the space you have. Larger rooms call for larger scaled furniture, and
larger scaled pieces tend to look good when you place them with similarly
proportioned pieces.
This home is a complete TV room solution, with motion upholstery, multi-function
occasional tables and home theater cabinets. Its generous sized pieces are meant for
a large space and would completely clog up a smaller one.

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A space that is smaller needs furniture that is scaled to fit in it. These pieces
with smaller profiles are meant to provide all the functionality of larger
pieces, but are scaled appropriately for smaller ones.
Scaling down the size of furniture also serves to make the space look better
as the pieces are in proportion to it.

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5.Emphasis


A room where everything gets equal importance will seem
either scattered or boring. You need an anchor. Architectural
spaces often have points of interest such as a fireplace or a
window with a beautiful view. You can choose to enhance the
built in focal point by arranging furniture around it to
emphasize it. In a room that lacks such a built in point of
interest you can create one through groupings of furniture or
using an unusual or large piece.
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A focal point creates a point of emphasis in the room, serving to
anchor it.
Over here the focal point is an architectural feature, and the furniture
is arranged around it. The geometric shapes of the rug in chartreuse,
walnut and oatmeal serve to draw attention to it.

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There are times when you don't have an architectural feature for
emphasis. If that is the case, select a piece of furniture that can act as
the focal point.
The chest is handcrafted, Its 41.5-inch height, color and detail create a
piece that can easily become the focal point in a room.

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Most of us take interiors for granted.
How often do you pay close attention to the
Furniture/ space planning
Colors
Textures
Lighting
Ceiling
Flooring
90% of our day is spent in interior spaces

Are you observant?
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Start using your eyes more and pay close
attention to your surroundings.
Make mental notes on spaces that work and
dont work.
Read interiors related magazines, study the
pictures and read the advertisements.
You learn by exposing yourself to good design.

Challenges
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Interior Design vs.
Interior Decorating
These are not the same.
Decorating is one aspect of design
and deals with the aesthetic
embellishment of a spacemaking
things look nice.
Design deals with a more
comprehensive approach that is all
about human behavior and human
interaction.
Many decorators do not have a
college degree and cannot be
licensed in states with legislation
laws.
You dont need a college degree to
decorate
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History of Profession
Craftspeople,
artisans and
architects
created the
earliest
interiors, long
before interior
decorating/
design was a
profession.
Only the
wealthy could
afford such
luxuries


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A relatively new profession
Architects, artisans and craftspeople
created the earliest interiors, before
interior decorating existed.
Only the wealthy could afford such luxuries
Elsie de Wolfe: First Interior decorator at
the turn of the century, 1900. An actress
and a high society figure, her style was a
popular departure from the dark Victorian
styles of that time. She was the first to
charge for her design, not simply on
commission.
New York School of Applied and Fine Arts,
known today as Parsons School of Design
Decorator Clubs began to appear in the
larger cities


History of Profession
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The industrial revolution of
the 19
th
century
Mass produced
furniture, new
products like plastics
Displayed in
Department stores
Appealed to the
average consumer
Bauhaus School in
Germany, 1919:
Walter Gropius focused
on function. Closed in
1933 and faculty came
to US



History of Profession
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Shift from decorating to design
The 1940s was when there was a shift
away from decorating
More commercial development, corporate
offices
Those practicing commercial design
Dorothy Draper: First Interior designer
Many of the greatest leaders you will
study were decorators, not designers in
todays sense of the word.
Sister Parrish, Eleanor McMillen Brown,
Dorothy Draper, Billy Baldwin, Florence
Knoll.
Milestones: ADA, Universal Design,
Building Codes, and Green Design.




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Where have we been and where are we going?
ADA (Americans with Disabilities)
Universal Design / Aging in Place
Sustainable Design

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Interior design is all about
Problem solving
But you will also
need to be
Artistic
Analytical
People oriented
Business oriented
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Artistic
Good with color and light
Understand texture and how it
relates to the overall concept
VISION.Must be able to
visualize
Ability to render, build models
Good composition skills
Good graphic design
Good sense of scale and
proportion
Must be able to graphically
present ideas

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Analytical
Problem solving through the analysis
of detailed criteria. (are you a detail
person?)
Creating and staying in a budget
Reading blueprints
Working with spread sheets
Estimating materials
Researching codes
Specifying materials and furniture
(example)
Project management
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People Oriented
You should enjoy being around all kinds of
people and their individual personalities.
You should be able to work under difficult
customer parameters
You are patient and respectful
Can read between the lines, listen well
Can work in a team environment
Presents well, verbally and appearance
Can work with vendors and contractors
Can sell yourself and your ideas
Can make customers feel calm during tense
situationsreassuring
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Questions to Designers
What is the single most important skill and interior
designer needs to be successful?
What do you look for in hiring a new designer?
What advice would you give someone who wants
to be an interior designer?
What is the most satisfying part of your job and the
least satisfying part of your job?

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Where will designers work?
Architectural Firms
Facilities Management Teams (Large Corporations)
Hospitals
Military Bases
Contract Furniture Dealerships
Hotel Planning
Retail Planning
Manufacturers Rep
Self Employed

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Professional Organizations
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)


CIDA
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)
Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research
Founded in 1971
Accrediting body for post-secondary interior design programs
in the U.S. and Canada
http://www.accredit-id.org/


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ASID
American Society of Interior Designers
The oldest and largest professional organization for interior
designers with the largest residential and commercial
membership of any other organization.
Founded in 1975 from the merger of the American Institute of
Decorators (AID) and the National Society of Interior
Designers (NSID)
Currently, ASID has over 38,000 members
Levels: Professional, Allied, Industry Partner and Student
48 chapters located nation wide
www.asid.org



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IDEC
Interior Design Educators Council
An international organization formed in 1967 to aid
interaction among educational programs.
Dedicated to the advancement of interior design education
and research in interior design
Publishes the only ID research journal: Journal of Interior
Design (JID)
www.idec.org


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IIDA
International Interior Design Association
Founded in 1994
Merger of Institute of Business Designers (IBD), the
International Society of Interior Designers (ISID) and the
Council of Federal Interior Designers (CFID)
10,000 members with 30 chapters
www.iida.org
Student membership:


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NCIDQ
National Council for Interior Design Qualification
Conceived in the late 1960s to serve as a basis for issuing
credentials to todays professional interior design
practitioners.
Founders were the American Institute of Interior Designers
(AID) and the National Society of Interior Designers (NSID)
Administers the exam or professional status in the profession
Completing the exam should be
a goal of every young designer
www.ncidq.org


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NKBA



National Kitchen and Bath
Association
The only organization
dedicated to the kitchen and
bath industry
Over 21,000 members
CKD and CKB
www.NKBA.org
Student membership:


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Other Organizations



American Institute of Architects
www.aia.org

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Represents individuals from across the built-environments industry
working to promote buildings that are environmentally healthy to live
and work.
www.usgbc.org

A I A
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