Week 6 :

INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGNDEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, CENTRE FOR

FOUNDATION STUDIES, IIUM, PETALING JAYA

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CONTENT

HistoryDefinitions The RoleFunctionsScope of WorksStages of WorksCareer OpportunityBasic Elements of Interior DesignStyles in Interior Design

HISTORY

Interior Design started during Ancient Egyptians, who decorated their humble mud huts with simple furniture enhanced by animal skins or textiles as well as murals, sculptures and painted vases. Beautiful gold ornaments found in Egyptian tombs (King Tutankhamen) revealed the importance of more lavish decoration.

The Roman and Greek civilizations developed domed-roof public building which interior decorating and accessorizing were enhanced. Greek wooden furniture had ivory and silver ornamentation while Roman furniture made of stone, wood or bronze accented by cushions and tapestries. Both Romans and Greeks used vases, mosaic floors, frescoes (wall paintings) to beautify interior spaces.

In 18th century, interior decoration was the concern of the homemaker such as upholsterer or craftsmen and architect would employ them to complete interior design for a building.

Towards the end of 19th century Interior Design emerged as a profession in the Western world.

Definition

Interior Design describes a group of various yet related projects that involves turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities that are to take place.

Interior Design is a multifaceted profession that includes conceptual development, liaising with stakeholders of a project and the management and execution of the design.

Interior Designer is a person who emphasis on planning, functional design and effective use of space. An Interior Designer can undertake projects that include arranging the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects that require an understanding of technical issues such acoustic, lighting and temperature.

Interior Designer should be creative, imaginative and artistic person and they also need to be disciplined, organised and skilled business people. Combining knowledge with aesthetic, inteior designer work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are safe, functional, attractive and meet the needs of the people using the space.

The role of Interior Designers are to enhance the function, safety and aesthetics of interior spaces.

Concerned with different colours, textures, furniture and lighting work together to meet the needs of building’s occupants.

Specialized in different type of spaces :-Residential, Commercial, Hotels, Hospitals, Universal Design, Exhibitions, Transport Terminals, Institutional and Museums

The Role of Interior Designer

Function of Interior Designers

Apart from beautify spaces, Interior Designers also help to improve spaces in order to :-

-Boost office productivity-Increase sales-Attract a more affluent clientele-Provide more relaxing and comfortable stay-Increase the building ‘s market value

Scope of Works

Traditionally Interior Designers involved in decorating, choosing a style, colour palette, fabric, furniture and lighting.

However, present trend Interior Designers are more involved in designing architectural detailing such as crown molding, built-in shelves or cabinets as well as planning of layout of the interior spaces.

Interior Designer should also be able to read blueprints, understand buildings, fire codes and know how to make space accessible to disable and elderly.

Frequently working with architects, electricians and building contractors to ensure that their design are safe and meet construction requirements.

Three areas that are becoming popular :-

-Ergonomics-Universal Design-Environmental or green Design

Stages of Work

Stage 1: Determine the need of the clients (programming)-Meet face to face to find out how the space will be used and to get the ideas of client design preferences and budget.

Stage 2:Formulate a design plan and estimate the costThe design and cost are on the basis of client’s goal and budget.The designer will present to the client and make revisions on the basis of the client input.

Stages of Work

Stage 3: Specifying materials, finishes and furnishing Once the design has been finalised the designer will begin specifying the details of the design.Depending on the complexity, the designer will prepare drawings and submit for approval. If requires structural work the designer need to work with architect or engineer.

Stage 4: Develop a Timeline for the ProjectTo ensure the project is completed on time, including coordinating the work schedules of contractors.To oversee the installation of the design elements and after completion will pay follow up visits to ensure the client is satisfied with the completed project.

Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID) was established in 1990 with the purpose of coordinating the activities of interior designers

Aims to maintain high standard in education, professional practice and communication with statutory bodies and private sectors in related fields.

Provides contacts with industry, design organisations and individual designers in this country and overseas.

Career Opportunity

Interior Designer – public/private sector

Consultant

Researcher

Academician

Specialist in CADD and 3D software

Basic Elements of Interior Design

For creating anything beautiful some basic elements are necessary. They are tools in conveying fundamental ideas in a painting or creating objects which meet material needs of mankind which include architecture, home interior, furnishing, handicrafts and in commercial related arts.

From nature man has pick up a few elements of art as pattern, line, colour, form, texture and light.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

1. Lines Contribute greatly towards to overall mood in creating

harmony or contrast in space. Hence lines is unifying factor in home decoration.

Horizontal lines reflect steadiness and tranquility – can be found in tables, low back chairs, sofas and shelves.

Vertical lines suggests life, activity and dignity which create an illusion of height – can be found in draperies and doorways.

Diagonal Lines reflects movements and forces that gives the feeling of sophistication and refinement to a room- can be found in in staircases and fabrics.

Curved Lines seems gracious and flexible – found in tied-back curtains and in the legs and corners of furniture.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

2. Forms

Refers to as area, space, mass or shape. Its closely related to lines, as with its create certain effects in the overall design of a room. Forms help in creating a line of unity in a room for example long rectangular table or sofa. But too many varieties in form create chaos in interior decorations.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

3. Texture

Texture is the surface characteristics of objects. It refers to the roughness, smoothness, shine or dullness, softness or stiffness. Rough texture absorbs more light while smooth surface reflects light.

Texture refers to wall finishes, floor finishes, fabrics and furnitures.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

4. Pattern

Pattern is an additional surface enrichment which contributes liveliness and interest to a room.

Naturalistic motif – flowers, fruits, animals or scenery

Geometrical motif – based on circles, rectangular and triangle. Also includes stripes, dots, checks and plaids.

Stylized Motif – do not like natural objects but to create certain effects. Suggested for fabrics and decorative articles.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

5. Colour

Colour is the most important element as it produces favorable psychological and aesthetic effects. The transform darkness into light, dullness into brightness, gloominess into cheerfulness and drabness into beauty.

They are used to create illusions of peace, luxury, warmth or coolness.

Basic Elements of Interior Design

6. Light

Light is very closely related to both colour and texture. In fact colour has no existence without light. A variety of moods and effects may be obtained by the clever use light and shade. However, beautiful and artistic an object may be but without light nothing could be recognised.

In furnishings, light can be used to bring rhythm and continuity, linking them together at various point of emphasis.

STYLES IN INTERIOR DESIGN

Different styles and approaches in interior design will determine different feel and characteristics of a space. Various styles have been established from classic to modern.

Classic Styles

It is refined style, developed, rich in details, which are found both in the structure of furniture, lighting as well as in sets, prints. The furniture is the art type, carved or inlaid details and apply. Decorated with floral elements, vegetable, various leitmotif or scenes drawn from legends.

Rustic Styles

Style structure is a crude, rough details, structure elements of furniture/lighting can be in tree trunks, logs, branches, jute. Style is found in mountain vacation homes and rural.

Classic Reinterpreted Styles

It is refined style, elegant, where classic forms details are found in a new approach. The forms preserves the structure of old forms or parts in general updating them. Some elements of a furniture style combined with modern elements, creating that fusion between old and new.

Retro Styles

It is style of ‘50s, ‘60s or ‘70s which in that period it is anticipated design pieces to come. The designs have playful approaches, funny structure, their form and the play of colours and prints with geometric shapes, lines, plaid or printed with illustrations belonging to the Pop Art style.

Asian Interior Design Style Styles

Asian Interior Design Styles have its own significant character and rare attractiveness mostly found in Asian countries.

Malay interior style – less furniture, open concept for interior space, decorations made from raw materials and Arabic calligraphy.

Balinese interior Style – intricate details of decorations and furniture, decorate with statue represents gods.

Asian Interior Design Style

Chinese Interior Styles- lavish furniture and decorations with marbles, porcelain and Chinese calligraphy.

Japanese Interior Style – more relaxed and minimalist decorations. Famous with flexibility which allows space to be multifunctional. Application of Zen and Tatami ( sizing follows ratio 1:2) concept which respect to nature by using natural material and natural colour.

Malays Interior Style Balinese Interior Style

Chinese Interior Style Japanese Interior Style

Country English Style

Originated from rural area with elegant furniture style that influences from English. Furniture finishes are nice, bright colours-white, pastel and forms taking over traditional furniture but not abundant decorations. Surfaces are painted or sometimes have a slight patina.

Contemporary Style

Modern style but maintain the straight lines through furniture design. Colours used are balanced and warm, bright tones and pastels. Finishes with solid wood door frame and panels upholstered with leather and textile used are mostly velvet.

Minimalist Style

This style is a form of extreme accuracy, nothing is too much without heavy background. Emphasis on simplicity, the colours may be dull or bright. Pattern is geometric shape and roun but the surfaces are clean, no scenery, no details and this style illustrates the simplified forms.

High Tech Style

This style is an innovative modern style, the emphasis being on furniture structure where every detail of combination is not random and it is part of that structure. Screws, rivets, wheels and bulbs are specific to this style. The finishes used are often of metal, glass and plastic.