Interior Design Course Meets Technology

What's New, Jan/Feb 2003 by Miller, Phyllis Bell, Miller, Beth

Sharon Fells began looking for fresh ways to teach interior design classes. It was time to offer such a course. Student interest was there. Plus the Family and Consumer Sciences Depart-ment needed to keep up with the times.

The basic introductory interior design class Fells' school offered introduced students to topics such as the varying styles of historical furniture and architectural styles; the drafting of basic floor plans and furniture placement; the types of lighting and basic applications of lighting for interiors; color schemes and color systems; fabric types and applications; interior finishes which cover such materials as flooring, ceiling, paint, trim and wallcovering; and professional opportunities in interior design.

If you are interested in providing real-world interior design projects, one place to start is to purchase some new software. Interior designers use vector-based computer-aided design (CAD) software to create floor plans, elevations and other technical drawings. The vector-based software, in which objects are composed of a series of lines, can be used for both technical and creative drawings, including surface designs for fabrics, carpeting and stained glass. Students can use other software programs to create presentations, websites and 3D simulations of interior spaces.

Students can be asked to create a surface design for rugs, tiles, wallpaper and fabrics. Have them select a different country or time period as a design inspiration, and have surface design books with ethnic and historic designs available. Students can frame the finished designs as well as use design elements from them in the floor plans that they draft.

As students learn to draft these floor plans, they can be introduced to fire, life safety and universal design codes. Some interior design software programs allow students to check their floor plans for compliance to current codes. Students select codes from a toolbar or menu and can then check them against their floor plans. The software will match the code to their plan, along with suggestions for compliance.

A project called "CAD Relay," which can be done on any computer, helps students learn about interior design while using e-mail skills. Divide the class into teams of four or five students and assign each student to complete a different part of a floor plan. The tasks can include drawing the base plan or walls; completing the kitchen, bath and laundry area; adding furnishings; and laying out the plotted drawing and title bar. After students complete their part of the drawing, they e-mail it to the person who must complete the next step of the project, such as adding furnishings or laying out the plotted drawing and title bar.

Doing Internet Research

The teacher can help students improve their research skills by asking them to research different manufacturers via the Internet. This makes students aware of the vast array of merchandise available and hones their skills in locating items for different kinds of interiors. Merchandise can include accessories (lamps, pictures, sconces, decorative objects, plants, etc.), upholstered goods, contemporary furniture, contemporary upholstered goods, flooring or wall coverings. Provide students with the names of the manufacturers and their websites. This activity teaches students to look for the best product at the best prices for designs created during the CAD Relay or other design projects.

Students learn many practical skills in these interior design classes, from computer skills to problem solving. These lessons are the perfect introduction to the fascinating field of interior design.

Phyllis Bell Miller teaches computer applications for fashion and interiors at Mississippi State University. Beth Miller is an Assistant Professor of Interior Design at Mississippi State University.