Continuing Education in Interior Design

Introduction: Interior Design 

We, as Homo sapiens, need to feel protected and safe. This need can be met through efficient and well-thought interior space planning. Thus, interior spaces have to be effectively designed. This is usually based on the client’s requirements, intermingled with certain standards mentioned in various books. It deals with planning the interior spaces of a building and making the living environment pleasant and habitable. 

Interior Design deals with planning and also ensures that the spaces designed are aesthetically pleasing and appealing to clients. Efficient planning of the interior spaces not only proves an asset to the building design but also leaves a positive effect on the psychology of the inhabitants. According to several studies and research, including one done by the Mental Health Foundation, it has been proven that interior design can genuinely affect our mental health.

The interior spaces are composed of three main elements. Firstly, the physical setting of the interior space with wall and ceiling finishes provides quite an attractive and interesting backdrop to the whole setup. Secondly are the interior elements, which are majorly responsible for creating a particular ambiance in the space. Finally, comes the role of the atmosphere, which is majorly affected by various principles like light and shadow, scale, color, and so on, which are also the core strengths of interior design. 

Principles of Interior Design

There are certain principles governing the interior design, which are:

1. BALANCE: Balance deals with creating a state of equilibrium between different elements of a space. The balance can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. In Symmetrical equilibrium, the split components are an exact duplication of each other. While in asymmetrical equilibrium, the components are not duplicates yet and are successful in creating an equilibrium condition.
2. RHYTHM: Rhythm, as the name suggests, is a repetition of elements, as seen in Music. In interior design, Rhythm is created by repeating a series of elements, creating a visual effect. This principle allows the movement of the user’s eyes all around the given space providing an all-round view.
3. HARMONY: Harmony focuses on uniting the elements and making them one entity, which reflects a sense of unity in the interior space. In interior space, harmony can be achieved by creating a sense of restfulness in the interior space. 
4. EMPHASIS: As the name suggests, emphasis deals with concentrating on a particular point in the space to break the monotony. This can be achieved by creating a focal point in the space with a definite element with different colors, sizes, proportions, etc. 
5. PROPORTION AND SCALE: Proportion deals with the comparison of a part of an element to the other part, either according to shape or size. While scaling deals with the comparison of an element to another element in a given space. 

Thus, by following these basic principles, one can actively achieve a quite successful interior design. But the question arises what are the educational opportunities in this field? Where can one learn to become a proficient interior designer? What are the benefits of doing so?

Interior Design Learning Opportunities and Benefits

Before exploring the learning opportunities in the interior design field, one must know about the skills that are required for this particular profession. Some of the basic skills are listed below:

1. Creativity

The foremost skill required for an interior designer is creativity. As an interior designer, one would be required to design interior spaces in their unique way, thinking outside the box. One needs to have innovative ideas and must pay attention to the details around them. They should always be keen on learning the small details of the elements in the interior space.

1. Sketching and Computer Abilities 

Manual sketching is one of the major skills required for an interior designer. One should be well equipped with the ability to sketch out spaces and pour out their ideas on a sheet of paper. This enables the client to have a better understanding of the ideas as proposed by the designer. Also, one must be well equipped with knowledge of computers and know how to use certain software to provide good quality 2D and 3D views of the design spaces. 

1. Communication:

Another important skill required for an interior designer is great communication skills, as in their whole career, they will be required to communicate with clients, contractors, laborers, and other concerned parties. Thus, having good communication skills will prove an aid in one’s gradually growing profession. 

These skills are quite necessary for one to have if one aspires to become a great interior designer. To learn these skills, one can either go for a bachelor’s or diploma in the concerned field. There are several open, government or private universities worldwide offering interior design courses for students. During this time, one would learn the skills required to excel in this particular profession. 

After completing the education, one can step into the world of design and will have many options in the professions. One can take on contracts privately, work with renowned firms, work under a renowned designer to learn practically about this field or go for government jobs. After entering the design field, one will acknowledge the benefits of this field, such as:

1. Designers and Experts 

Interior designers have the prime duty of designing and planning spaces and are considered experts. Thus, the clients trust their words and suggestions which encourages the designers to plan efficiently.

1. A Good Connection

As an interior designer, one would have to deal with several clients, supervisors, and consultants; thus, they would have a good connection to the people related to the concerned field. This proves to be a plus and helps in the design process.

1. Functional Spaces

As an interior designer, one keeps in mind providing an efficient and functional space. They follow the standards and other related bye-laws to make the spaces planned more effectively without any hindrance in any movement. 

1. Tie The Entire Project

As interior designers design the spaces inside a building, they tend to add up the whole project. The interior designer has to design spaces keeping in mind to relate it to the external look of the structure, which, in the end, makes the project as a whole. 

Latest Trends and Technologies in Interior Design

In this advancing world, there are several new trends and technologies coming up for interior design as well. Some of the latest technologies are: 

1. Smart Sensors 

Smart sensors, such as smoke detectors, temperature variation detectors, and many other new technologies, can be used to make the spaces safer for use. Along with providing safety, these new technological gadgets also provide an aesthetic look to interior spaces.

1. Lighting Design

Lighting plays an important role in highlighting an interior space, so many new lighting technologies are coming up. Some of these new lighting gadgets also help with automatic lighting technology, making an interior space more pleasing and efficient.

1. 3D Wall Painting

We sure have seen wallpaper in the interior, but now 3-D Wall paintings are coming into view. This new technology has changed our view of walls. There are various designs, graphics, animations, and other customized wallpapers available for one to choose from.

1. Smart Locks

Security is the foremost objective of these upcoming technologies, and smart locks are one of them. These smart locks are equipped with various sensors, either eye detectors, thumb impressions, fingerprints, or many more, assuring access only to the allowed ones. This smart lock also proves to be aesthetically pleasing along with being technologically advanced. 

Apart from these, there are various other new technological gadgets available on the market. These new trends and technologies have, for sure, made interior design more advanced and efficient for users. 

References:

1. Interior design l Definition, History, Styles & Facts (18 July, 2023) Britannica, Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/interior-design (Accessed: 27 July, 2023)
2. How interior design impacts your mental health (17 September, 2020) Heritage Designs, Available at: https://heritagedesigninteriors.com/how-interior-design-impacts-your-mental-health/#:~:text=One%20study%20reported%20that%20people,key%20components%20to%20happier%20places. (Accessed: 27 July, 2023)
3. The psychology of space: How interior shape our Behavior (2023) Falmouth University, Available at: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/news/psychology-space-how-interiors-shape-our-behaviour (Accessed: 27 July, 2023)
4. 6 Essential skills every interior designer Needs (2023) Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Available at: https://fidm.edu/en/news/Six+Skills+for+Becoming+an+Interior+Designer (Accessed: 28 July, 2023)
5. Basic interior design principles (8 June, 2020) The Spruce, Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/basic-interior-design-principles-1391370 (Accessed: 28 July, 2023)
6. 10 awesome smart technologies for interior design in 2020 (22 November, 2021) The wiredShopper , Available at: https://thewiredshopper.com/smart-technologies-for-interior-design/ (Accessed: 29 July, 2023)

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