Unit 7: Interior Design Project
Task: What tools or concepts do Interior Design Professionals use when creating a harmonious and functional space? Include images or drawing to show the concepts.
When Interior Designers mention “harmony” or “unity” in their design projects, they are referring to all of the elements of a space that come together to help create a visually appealing sense of connectedness. In other words, all of the design pieces work together to make a space functional, and great to view. To create this sense of unity, that Interior Designers intend to design, many use the concept of sightlines and axiality. When planning houses or interior spaces, Architects and Interior Designers will often think about the concept of sight lines as it helps to add a sense of spaciousness in places where you can see through several rooms at the same time.
With the second part of the concept, Axiality is the idea that the longer the sightline alignment, the better the design. In this sense, an Axis is a made-up line that is drawn between two respective points that go through multiple rooms. So what is the actual purpose of this, and why has it shown importance in design? For designers, the Axis gives the viewer a greater sense of the space which allows them to see multiple spaces and how they are connecting using multiple elements. For example, designers use Axiality and Sightlines to show clients a concept that integrates their wants and needs; leading to a beautifully functional area or space. In regards to residential spaces, designers ask themselves, what will someone see when they first walk into the space? What does the client want to be the focal point of the space, and what looks visually appealing for this space?
To better integrate different design languages for architecture, interior designers use certain methods that make it visually appealing. One of these concepts is Repetition which is a common means of creating a structure for a space. If similar elements are repeated in multiple places in space, the interior design can be considered more cohesive or understandable by
outside observers. The point of having repetition is for a space to make sense. An example of this would be if a kitchen had a kitchen with three different types of tile or other floorings. By having textures and colors that do not necessarily complement each other visually, the space will not feel well designed or considered.
Another more subtle concept for designing a harmonious and functional space is Gradual Increase. Essentially, under this method of designing, objects or colors in a space should be displayed in a way that shows variety. A great representation of this idea is having variation in a certain color for painting a wall, to create a sense of depth. Further representations of this concept may apply to things such as candles, displays, and other decorations.
In Conclusion, a space that would be considered functional and harmonious is based on the concepts of axiality, sightlines, repetition, and gradual increases. If a space properly integrates these design concepts for making space, it can provide for a client’s needs and wants.
Unit 6: Interior Design
Objective: Explain how mathematics contributes to Interior Design and how it can help to create a space that is functional and beautiful.
According to a quote from Johannes Kepler, “Geometry has two great
treasures: one of them is Pythagoras’ theorem, the other is the golden ratio.”
The golden ratio is a mathematical formula and interior design concept that has been used by professional interior designers to calculate proportions and composition in interior design but also in art, music, and architecture. The first people that are believed to define the golden ratio are a 12th-century Italian mathematician Fibonacci and an ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. In mathematical terms, the golden ratio is described as a+b where a is the longer section and b is the shorter section.
Furthermore, this means that a+b is to a, what a is to b, or in other words, it means that if the whole length of the object, space, or thing by the longer length, it will equal exactly to the longer length by the shorter length. Essentially, this ratio helps to create things in harmonious proportions in terms of visuals.
Along with the visuals of a space, mathematics has aided interior designers in making spaces more functional to the users of the space. An example of this would be in a kitchen area where the people that will be using it are of a small height. Adjusting the design of the countertops can enable them to have a more functional space that can maximize the usefulness of the space. Another application of mathematics could be in furniture placement in a room that can both add to the visual appeal of the area but also functionality. If the furniture is placed too far apart, or too far away, this can pose an issue to those using the space.
Resources:
The Interior Design Handbook by: Frida Ramstedt
https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/the-golden-ratio
https://jaejohns.com/how-to-use-the-golden-ratio-in-interior-design/
https://www.synergyce.com/proportionately-yours-the-math-of-Interior-design.php
Unit 5: Interior Design
Task: Discuss what you learned in Interior Design during this Learning Period and any projects you have done.
During my time in this learning period in Interior Design, I was introduced to multiple aspects that make a space the way it is. Each type of interior space has its own “personality” in a sense, especially in residential spaces. In this unit, I changed my perspective from looking at Interior Design from a professional designer perspective to the perspective of the average person. What I learned is that not everyone has the skill or knowledge to construct a space that fits their needs and those of their families. In regards to why changing my perspective, in this case, is important; the overall function of space helps cater to the needs of those who live in it. The interior design book that I took much of my learning from (‘The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt) posed the question “Who are you, what do you do in your home, and for whom?” Now, this question is quite simple but is hard for many to understand when it comes to implementing design principles to fit what they need and/or want.
As a core design principle for residential spaces, a home should be a place designed to stay, not for display. Many people may have already toured multiple homes in all shapes and sizes and a common theme of many of these display homes is that they often favor looks over utility. Model homes are there simply to showcase an idea, not to showcase how a family should live in their home. In relation to my point on how spaces all have a personality, I believe that the personality of the residents of a home should also be reflected in the place where they live.
For example, the home of someone who loves comic book characters should reflect that interest in some way as well. I believe that if more people become aware of how they can better integrate the design principle of making their space functional and harmonious with their interests, they will be positively impacted and helped to lead happier lives.
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Unit 8: Interior Design
Task: Given your understanding of what an interior designer and an architect are, explain how the two professions work together to complete projects. What are some of their similarities and differences?
Within their respective spaces, architects and interior designers contribute to making a space look, feel, and function the way their clients want. Interior designers are responsible for creating functionality and form of a space, that tends to their client’s needs. Additionally, those in this profession use their experience and education to resolve, identify, and research issues in design in order to optimize the area in a space to make it functional. On the other hand, Architects are professionally specialized in making the shape of a space based on a client’s ideas or principles that they want to be applied. Along with this architects must create a structure for these spaces and make their exterior applicable to commercial, residential, or industrial spaces.
Through being able to comprehend the role of both architects and interior designers when it comes to either renovating or constructing an entirely new space, how are they able to work together? From a very basic perspective, buildings generally have two parts to be considered, which are the interior and exterior. So, in order to work together, architects and designers make sure that at least the exterior parts of a building complement the interior design theme, if not applicable both ways. In summarization of the words of a well-known architect in Manhattan, Kent Johnson, he believes that it is of the utmost importance that architects understand the objectives of the designer such as colors, finishes, and furnishings, earlier on in the design process. Both the interior designer and the architect need to be understanding of how the space is to be used and seen. For example, furniture in a living room is an essential component of a home.
The designer has the responsibility (in terms of working with the architect) of where the light switches, electrical outlets, and audio and visual equipment are to be located to optimize the space for a client.
An important element that adds to the elements that make space is lighting. Both professions make lighting a large part of their design schemes. Based on the client’s needs or wants for the aesthetics of a room, designers are to work with light in order to make the room as dark or bright as the client necessitates. Furthermore, designers also choose fixtures that fit the intended design style, and that also value function. Architects in terms of lighting take the job of looking into architectural types of lighting such as built-in fixtures, cove lighting, and downlights.
Another important part of the design process is that both professions in the space work on it collaborating on ceilings. The size of a space has a significant impact on how one perceives it. Low ceilings, on the other hand, can make a room feel claustrophobic and cave-like, whereas vaulted ceilings make a room feel higher, wider, and more open. Ceilings can have a lasting impact on setting the sense of a room for both architects and designers, especially when combined with appropriate lighting or other characteristics such as plaster moldings.
Cabinetry is a further component that architects and designers work together on as properly utilizing storage and having a visually appealing space, is one of the main objectives. Cabinetry frequently establishes a space by connecting two spaces in the event of a low component or separating a space in the case of a tall component. The architect will usually design the built-in storage cabinets, while the designer will choose the material and color, but both disciplines must guarantee that each item fits into the overall design of the area.
The last critical piece of space when being constructed by a designer and architect are walls, which contribute to defining different spaces. While the architect may design and construct the wall, the designer will collaborate with the customer to determine how it will be treated, whether it be with paint, glass, metal, stone, or another material. In a design sense, It helps to tie the place together and completes the area and something that those in a room will inevitably see. Having a wall placed where it can both function (like dividing two spaces) and be visually appealing, is the last part of the design process that can make a space amazing.