INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGNING:

• Interior design is the art that deals with the organization, selection, &
arrangement of elements of design inside a space.

• Art of Design of Indoor spaces

• It is a practice concerned with anything that is found inside a space -

walls, windows, doors, finishes, textures, light, furnishings and furniture.

• It is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through

manipulation of spatial volume & surface treatments.

• It draws attention on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture,

and product design in addition to traditional decoration.

ROLE OF AN INTERIOR DESIGNER:

• Interior designers must be attuned to architectural detailing including:
floor plans, home renovations, construction codes, etc.

• It is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information,

establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and
produces graphic communication and construction documents.

• When doing interior design of a larger scale project it is necessary to

think of the spaces as a totality. Ex: a series of spaces linked together by
halls and stairways. It is therefore appropriate that a common style or
theme runs throughout.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARCHITECT AND AN INTERIOR DESIGNER:
• Architects use planes (walls, floors, ceilings) to define the volumes
(spaces) that combine to make up a building. They are trained to design
structures from scratch. They will take intellectual and practical
considerations into account, and the building design will be informed by
its location. Some architects will limit their involvement in this, while
others will also plan furniture layouts in detail and create decorative
Schemes.

• Interior architects are generally concerned with taking existing

structures and reforming them to suit new functions. They will pay a
great deal of regard to the previous life of a building, and usually allow
this knowledge to provide some connection between the fabric of the
building and the newly created interior.

• Interior decorators generally work with existing spaces that do not

require physical alteration. Through the use of colour, light and surface
finish, they will transform the look of a space, perhaps making it suitable
to function in a different way from that for which it was originally
designed, but with very little or no change to the structure of the
building.

• Interior designers span the ground between interior architects and

interior decorators. The scope of the projects undertaken will vary from
the purely decorative, to ones where a great deal of structural change is
required to meet the brief. An interior designer will competently handle
the space planning and creation of decorative schemes at the same time
as considering major structural changes.
INFLUENCE OF INTERIOR DESIGNING IN ARCHITECTURE:
• Interior Design and Architecture is a case of function + fashion.
• There’s no formula for the design of an extraordinary interior – only a
set of guidelines designers use to create a space that’s beautiful and
driven by best practices.

FUNCTION + FASHION

INTERIOR DESIGN PROCESS:

• The design process is a term that covers a set of operations which, when
carefully undertaken by the designer, result in a thoroughly considered
and well-crafted design solution that meets the needs of the client.

• The process is not exclusive to interior design and, in one form or

another, applies to all fields of design.

• Design might be seen as a largely linear activity, with a start point (at
which the client makes first contact with the designer), and an end
point, when the project has been implemented (that is, constructed or
built).

• The job of an Interior designer actually involves a great deal of general

administration work in addition to the design element of a project.
This chart depicts the process of Interior designing, the major phases in design
of any interior space basically involves,

• Analysis
• Design Development
• Implementation
• Evaluation
CURRENT SCENARIO OF INTERIOR DESIGNING:
• Current issues and future directions in the architectural and interior
design world have developed greater synthesis with the fashion world.
• Our private world and our physical self are increasingly in tune (at least
aesthetically) with our public existence and our living space.
• This new dynamic is changing the way we define trends, because they
are no longer isolated.
• People are increasingly aware that anything in their home makes a
statement about them.
• Design is all about re-enforcing individuality now. Which means there
are no strict rules, other than one – 'Reflect our individuality'.
• Contemporary design features continue to hold sway, although the
move away from minimalism, harsh lines and a clinical ambience is
replaced with a touch of old world warmth.
• Modern design meets mid-century interior concepts to create spaces
that give us the best of both worlds, the old and new.
HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGNING:

The significant historical periods of Interior design are,

 Neolithic
 Ancient Egyptian
 Ancient Greek
 Medieval
 Renaissance
 Jacobean
 Colonial
 Rococo
 Revival
 Art Nouveau
 Bauhaus
 Art Deco
 Modern
Stone Age 6000 – 2000 BC:

The first evidence of interior design was found in prehistoric human dwellings.
Although they focused on practicalities they still took the time to decorate
their dwellings with drawings, usually of plants, animals or humans. Tribes of
this era made huts from mud, animal skins and sticks.

Egyptian 2700 – 30 BC:

While the civilians of Egypt still lived in mud huts the royal families lived in the
magnificent buildings they are well known for. These buildings were decorated
with murals which depicted their history and beliefs. They had basic furniture
as well as vases and sculptures to use in their homes.

Neolithic Europe 2000 – 1700 BC:

Handmade pottery for practical and decorative use, some of which items were
decorated with paint.

Greek 1200 – 31 BC:

The improvements in civilization allowed for regular people to decorate their

homes in their own style, the wealthier of which had furniture containing silver
and ivory. The Greeks also brought in rules for construction of buildings which
iconically contained impressive pillars.

Roman 753 BC – 480 AD:

This was the first real age where no royals could show their wealth through
their homes alone. They decorated with morals and mosaics as well as bespoke
furniture. Typical Roman furniture had clawed feet and soft furnishings.

Byzantine 500 – 1500 AD:

During the Byzantine era grand domes and extravagant decorations became
the norm.

Dark Ages 900 – 1100 AD :

During the dark ages there was a demise of interior design which meant home
interiors went down to basic wood paneling, minimal furniture and stone slab
floors.
Gothic 1140 – 1400 AD:
Following the dark ages decorative ornaments and colors were brought into
homes again. The Gothic era is noted for its figurative decor and vertical focus
as well as bringing the trend of opens floor plans and an emphasis on windows
to increase light.

Renaissance 1400 – 1600 AD:

During the renaissance the beauty was the impact factor to design interiors.
Grand paintings and furniture, often with a lot of color and expensive fabrics
such as velvet, were used alongside marble floors to create these beautiful
spaces. During this time period carpets were a luxury, even too expensive for
the rich to use on the floor. They were used to cover walls. Floors were instead
covered with reeds topped in sweet smelling herbs.

Baroque 1590 – 1725 AD:

Flamboyance, grandeur and artistic excess were the focus of this era. The use
of stained glass, columns with twists, marble with color, mirrors, chandeliers
and painted ceilings were all used and sought-after.
The first note of architects also working as interior designers was in ancient
India around 1600AD.

Rococo Style 1700 AD:

A very elegant style utilizing flower based design work and the use of different
materials such as tortoise shell and pearls on furniture. They also included
Asian porcelain in their home decor.

Traditional 1700AD – Now:

The traditional Europe and American design was very prevalent from 1700 to
1800AD, although it is still popular now amongst certain classes. It was
embodied by a very formal feel.
During the 1700’s interior design was brought to the middle classes, not just
because of the industrial revolution but also due to the increase in education
and trade. While the lower classes still lived in functional dwellings the middle
classes took advantage of the lower cost of rugs and wallpapers, as well as
showing off pianos, upholstered furniture and books to prove their wealth and
culture.
STUDY ON ANTHROPOMETRICS:

 The study of human body measurements on a comparative basis is

known as anthropometrics.

 Its applicability to the design process is seen in the physical fit, or

interface, between the human body and the various components
of interior space.

 These measurements are usually made of a particular sample of

the population, and often separated on the basis of sex and age.

 Typical anthropometric measurements include standing stature,

weight, distance between eyes, and circumference around waist.

 However, sensory abilities may also be measured, such as hearing

ability, sight, and the ability to sense touch.

 Anthropometrics are tools for interior designers to aid working

out how high or how far an average male or female may reach in
relative comfort.

 These are factors that need to be considered when designing

joinery or cabinetry, furniture, planning circulation spaces, work
spaces, accessible spaces and to generally make the user
comfortable in their interior environment.

 These anthropometric measurements are taken as per the

average human being measurements and the drawings are of
human beings performing various functions and movements.

 Anthropometry is the scientific study and measurement of the

human body.

 Ergonomics is the science of the relationship between man and

machinery and the equipment human beings use, and the working
environment.

 Having something that is called ergonomic means that the item has
been designed to maximize productivity by minimizing effort and
discomfort.
  The diagrams on the below describe the basic and average sizes
(based on 90 percentile) of human beings performing various
functions and movements.

 These are here as a tool for interior designers to aid working out
how high or how far an average male or female may reach in
relative comfort.

 These are factors that need to be considered when designing joinery

or cabinetry, furniture, planning circulation spaces, work spaces,
accessible spaces and to generally make the user comfortable in
their interior environment.

(Please note that all these measurements are in millimetres and are based
on the authors experience and common industry standards.
Official confirmation if required should be obtained from your Ministry of
Health or similar governing body of your country. )

 Diagram 1 depicts the average heights and widths of various parts of

the body face on. Use this in relation to joinery and space planning.
 Diagram 2 depicts the average maximum distance of
outstretched arms. This may be used when planning a small
bathroom and the distances need for drying one’s self.

 Diagram 3 depicts the various heights and lengths of parts of the

body with the legs bent as for sitting or climbing. Relate this to
chairs and tables.
 Diagram 4 depicts the reach of forward outstretched
arms. Reference to this is important with cupboards and shelves
over benches and to windows behind furniture.

 Diagram 5 depicts the maximum reach (flat footed) straight up. This
can be referred to for the maximum height of close shelves
or cupboards while also considering the angle.
 Diagram 6 depicts the height of the forearm when standing and bent
at right angles. This is useful for determining the heights of work
surfaces.

 Diagram 7 depicts the height of a person when kneeling or

crouching down. You can determine minimum heights of shelving or
basic reach.
 Diagram 8 depicts the height of a medium use workbench. It also
shows space allocated for the front of the foot to fit under the
bench.

 Diagram 9 depicts a person sitting at a table. The height of the chair

and table are shown in relation to the body.
 Diagrams 10 and 11 depict heights and widths of shelves showing
the reach required and also the eye line.

 Diagram 12 depicts a person in sitting position showing the base of

the bent forearm to the seat height for armrests, the thickness of
the thigh and the height from the base of the thigh to the floor for
clearance under tables.
  Diagram 13 shows where the eyes height in relation to the floor. Use
this to determine placing of items such as switching or signage.

 Diagram 14 depicts the length of the legs and body combined when
sitting on the floor or bed. Use this to help determine leg room.

 Anthropometric datum are useful, it can make or break the comfort

level in a design. So it is a very handy design tool.

USER ACTIVITY ANALYSIS AND ANTHROPOMETRICS:

USER ACTIVITY ANALYSIS:

• Categorise the users of the particular interior space according to their
gender, age and population count.
• Each user corresponds to an activity done in the interior space.
 • There are various activities that an user of a space can possess, and this
results in design of furniture, lighting, colours in the interior design.
• In case of a bedroom design, after the categorisation of users, the
activities that the user possess are commonly, sleeping, reading,
dressing, watching TV, sitting etc., and based on that a reading table
requires more lighting than the bed space. This is how the user activity
analysis helps in design of interior spaces.
• Categorisation based on the age group gives various design solutions for
an interior space in terms of comfort and ease.

ANTHROPOMETRICS:
• Anthropometrics are tools for interior designers to aid working out how
high or how far an average male or female may reach in relative
comfort.
• These are factors that need to be considered when designing joinery or
cabinetry, furniture, planning circulation spaces, work spaces, accessible
spaces and to generally make the user comfortable in their interior
environment.
• These anthropometric measurements are taken as per the average
human being measurements and the drawings are of human beings
performing various functions and movements.