Design Education & Professionalism

With the intention of becoming a professional, one must receive education. The design profession is not only concerned with creativity and aesthetics but also with psychology, environmental science, economics, sociopolitical characteristics, and functionality. Considering this, years of education is what aids the process of the incorporation of the aspects in the latter. Additionally, instructors in universities have the responsibility to teach students how to integrate the mentioned aspects by introducing research, critical thinking, analysis, proposal and presentations of solutions within the design curriculum. After going through the design education, the designer must gain experience in order to become a professional. But what does it mean to be a professional? It means that the person went through years of education in a specific field.

In Interior Design, the misconception that this is not a profession is present in many people. The majority of the time people think that it is the same as decoration and that anybody can be an Interior Designer without going through higher education. However, Interior Design is a profession. An Interior Designer has to go through four years of college education, two years of experience afterwards, and take a qualification exam in order to receive a licensure. This license give the Interior Designer the right to sign and seal construction documents.

Furthermore, professionalism comes from those years of education combined with experience in the field. Professionalism in a person is defined by their mode of searching for solutions to a problem keeping in mind ethical aspects, their integrity, and their behavior in the work environment.

It is imperative that we as Interior Designers take ownership of our profession and work hard for our design education in order to obtain the professionalism that one day will make the Interior Design profession have the desired recognition.

My definition of Interior Design

In my opinion there are various components of a human public or private dwelling. These are: the structure, the interior, and the decoration. The architect is responsible for designing a structure that meets the needs of the client and also fits into the natural environment. The interior designers are in charge of designing the interior spaces of the structure created by the architect. The decorator is who brings different decorative objects, like picture frames, sculptures, or indoor plants in order to finish the embellishment of that interior. As an interior design student, I have learned and I am still learning about interior design and the way in which to improve the designing of interiors for the public.

To me Interior design is a solution to a need; it is an improvement to human lifestyle. Interior design is an artificial environment that brings the natural environment through its openings. It is also the creation of a protective environment for humans. Interior design is creating environments in which people can interact with, and in order to perform their tasks they need all components such as lighting, furniture, and privacy levels. Interior design is the connection between humans and the structure. It is a responsibility with people because interiors need to be harmonious in the sense of safety and well-being of the public. Interior design is also a psychological practice since the factors of humans are another aspect to incorporate when designing an interior environment.

Finally, I think that interior design is a great profession because interior designer’s not only creates a functional and aesthetically pleasing but also impacts society by designing safe spaces and creating environmental stewardship awareness.