Globalization in Interior Design

Globalization is a term used to refer to the expansion of economies beyond national borders, in particular, the expansion of production by a firm to many countries around the world.  This relates to the interior design field in many ways.

One way, in which a firm could be in charge of designing a space halfway across the world. This in most ways is a benefit, learning of new locations, new job opportunities and best of all being able to showcase strengths anywhere.

With the effect of globalization, the culture and style of areas around the world are mixing with each other. Taking for instance, the fact that Western Europe is looking for different themes from various cultures. Apart from the oriental elements they are focusing on "African ethno elements" in terms of colours, materials and forms that are popular.


Journalist Mary Gilliatt , author of 48 books, offers insights on the feature of design trend influencing manufactures and suppliers.

Contributions of Global Interior Design Trends 

* Universal Excellence: Today the design trend has led to achieve universal excellence. Led by United State of America in so may things, followed by Italy, Japan and sometimes UK. More appealing designs have emerged from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.
* Diversity: Growth of communication and overseas sourcing has allowed blending the east and the west. It has created diversity in the use of furniture, fabric and accessories.
* Setting High Standards: The diversity in the interior designs available today has led to extensive competition. This competition has, therefore, set a trend to produce good quality work. This has high standards for both designers and the consumer.
* Multiple Use: Globalization of designs has let many designers use material to the optimal level. The same material can be discovered in one country and can be utilized in the different way in a different country.
* Green design: "Green Design" does not mean the "colour green". It means designing eco friendly interiors. Today global climate change has become a key issue. Thus, designers have taken the responsibility to cut down the affect on environment. With the choice of material, energy used and packaging an interior designer can contribute to save the planet. It can be as simple as using low energy bulbs.
* Recycle: Today worldwide recycling is a major consideration. Interior designing has a lot to contribute in it. The priority is given to donate old furniture or home accessories to charitable organization rather than piling them up. Also, focus is on re-using the old products differently and innovatively.


Globally, future of interiors is clear; green design, softer earth tones mixed with bright but warm colors, and rooms that serve more than one use. But the change towards green issues has not taken away our passion for glamour, a touch of shine and innovation, will produce some breathtaking designs that will stand the test of time.

Public Image

Being an everyday citizen in America, I can understand how the public misidentifies the profession of interior design. Through the media outlets every aspect of interior design is misconstrued. In television, every show labeled “design” is more than likely strictly decorating. In our products, knock off exist making it harder to find our prices and materials creditable. Also, in magazines, there are certain publications that emphasize décor and how to bake cookies rather than the raw, real design aspects of the profession.

Television: So you sit down after a long day and you turn on HGTV. A show appears with the word “Design” in the title, and it sparks your interest. Watching further you realize they have a $2000 budget and two days to redecorate some ones living room.

HOW UNREALISTIC.

We complain that “people don’t take us seriously” and “No one really knows what interior design is” but in the end this is one of the main reasons. The public watches TV. Rarely would I see an everyday joe pick up a journal or read informative information on what designers really do. People think they know, so why look into it further.

Knock Off Products:  The production of designer products at a cheaper rate. It would be hard to convince a potential client they need to buy a $4,000 chair when they could find a similar looking product for $700. I feel like this is a battle every industry, there’s a fake everything nowadays.

The only fight I have against this is if it’s a knock off product, it will act like a knock off product.

I feel if I have a client who’s invested in my time would look at this situation the same way:

If I walk into Nordstroms I’m not expecting to buy a knock off purse.

Knowing your client and knowing their boundaries and budgets is lucrative in this situation.

Magazines: Standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, I peer over to flip through some magazines and in the slot that says INTERIOR DESIGN sits an issue of “Better Homes and Gardens”.

HOW UNFORTUNATE.

I’m sure the magazine has a great intention and valuable information for decorators and home makers. I would assume that that magazine should be in the slot for DECORATE AND HOMEMAKE. If there was more affordable information in the common individuals reach, people could educate themselves without us shoving information down our throat.

Sustainabilty: A Fad or here to Stay.

There has been arguments and discussions that sustainability is a fad and that it will fade out over time. Personally, I don’t think it’s possible. Even looking outside of the interior design world, they’ve changed the make up and structure of water bottles and everywhere you look there’s opportunities to recycle. I think it would almost be a challenge to revert to old ways. To start how would companies advertise a products that isn’t renewable?

If I had a choice between a carpet that is 100% recyclable or one that’s filling landfills and wasting resources isn’t the answer obvious?

“Sustainable development is a new term that grew out of the conservation/environmental movement of the 1970's. While the conservation/environmental movement asked questions about preserving the Earth's resources, sustainable development includes questions about how human decisions affect the Earth's environment.”

In this definition, they state that sustainable development has been in existence since the 1970s. No matter what we do, I feel like sustainability will progress whether we like it or not. People will always be trying to make something better or something smarter.

Design Education

I’m currently attending the art institute in pursuit of a bachelors of fine arts with a concentration in interior design.  When I decided to attend The Art Institute I had a misunderstanding of what interior design was. I was under the impression everyone else was that I got to go shopping; putting fabrics on sofas and carpeting on floors. They day I started class my interpretation of interior design started to change and it has been ever sense. Now I know what interior design is and how much work it requires. I still have a passion for making things pretty like everyone else does, but now I know it’s not my main priority. 

When I graduate from school, I plan on going to find a job under an interior designer and start accumulating my hours to take the NCIDQ.  Getting a job directly out of college has become a priority to me because I’m ready to start being a real person. I’m sure once opportunities present themselves I would love to further my education and go back, possibly even in another field. I’m constantly changing my mind and wanting to walk in a different direction, this time I’m completing what I started before the turn occurs.

Interior Design Definition

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. An understanding of human factors and psychology add to the versatile field, while construction of interior entities and furniture further the experience needed to be successful.

Professionalism

A professional is a member of a vocation founded upon specialised educational training.
A vocation is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified.
Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment.

I think the use of the word “design” in a decorator’s world is a ticket into success. The fact that you can use it in “residential non-construction” circumstances, only adds to the illusion of achievement. I don’t think anyone who hasn’t gone through the proper requirements of obtaining a certification should be able to advertise themselves with the use of that word. Although most people don’t know the difference between the two doesn’t mean the word “design” isn’t more enticing than decorate.

Each state’s requirements are different but all current design interior legislation requires the passing of the NCIDQ. With that being said, I hope to land a great internship with a firm that will offer to help me take the test. I do want to be licensed and registered and I want to earn the word that I’ve been working so hard for.

“The difference between designing a room and decorating a room is influenced by function and by intent. To design a room is to consider factors such as the size of door and window openings, the placement of electrical outlets and closets, and the types of furnishings needed to meet the needs of the occupants. The design of a room is influenced by local codes, architecture and ways the room will be used.
To decorate a room is to create a color palette, choose fabrics and furnishings, plan furniture arrangement and choose accessories for the space. It is no less difficult than designing a room; it is just a different step necessary to reaching the final goal of a comfortable and functional space.”

I found this comparison on ehow.com and I couldn’t disagree with it more. Sure the two definitions are legitimate, but the fact that this comparison states “It is no less difficult than designing a room; it is just a different step necessary to reaching the final goal of a comfortable and functional space.” The fact that I went to school and was taught door swings and sizes of doors and location of outlets automatically makes designing a harder and more involved task than putting a colored couch in a living room.

All in all, I think peoples idea of the word design is skewed. To be honest I didn’t know the difference when I started this school, but after every class and every late night I’ve come to realize you earn the word “design”, through hard work and dedication.