Basically I started this blog to discuss interior design and interior design education. I would still like to incorporate some of that, but I've decided to swich the main focus for now to my thesis research and the impossible process that I'm going through regarding the program, Second Life, and research in interior design.
For those of you who aren't familiar, Second Life (SL) is a virtual world where people are represented by avatars of their design. SL can literally become your second, or first if you let it, life. It is all encompassing in every respect. You can, and probably should, have a job, own a business, get married, divorced, have a child, own property, rent property, and just about anything you can do in real life (even the "adult" stuff). It requires a high level of immersion, or feeling "into" the game or invested in it to really be a part of this highly social world. SL also has it's own cultures, and social norms which are very important. Like real life, the social norms are often difficult and sometimes painful to learn.
So when I decided to go to grad school and do a thesis as an interior design student I knew I wanted to research in retail design. Most of my interest had always been in this area, as well as my professional work experience. But when it came time to pick a topic for my thesis it was much more difficult than I thought it would be.
Picking a topic for a thesis requires lots of whittling down of a general subject to a very specific and testable question. I started out wanting to research color in the environment and either impulse purchases or how gender and color preference are related. Somehow, through many meetings with my advisor on how to accomplish these tests we came to the idea of using SL for my research.
At first we were going to build a whole retail store and essentially see what people thought of it. It would be identical to the real life (RL) store where researchers had done a study testing how people felt about that retail environment. If the results were similar in SL to RL we could figure that people perceive things in virtual worlds like SL in a similar way to RL. Well, this was very complex and if I had gone this way I probably would be in grad school working on my thesis for another million years or so.
So, finally we found a study done in the 80's evaluating consumer emotional recation to the retail environment in RL. Perfect! So now to mimic the study in SL. Another complication arose now....um...last minute....this instrument (Survey questions) are not very good. Literally, this came up right before I was about to launch my survey...sigh. So now to do a pilot study revising some of the questions to fit modern statistical analysis and methods.
Now for the fun part...We decided to make podiums that hand out information note cards (basically messages) in SL from various retail stores where the owners agreed to place my posium in their store. Again, another problem came up. After waiting a while and getting only a handful of responses, I realized people are thinking that the podiums are some sort of spam delivery system, which are similar and all too common in SL.
So my next attempt was to try posting on the SL forum. Well...all hell broke loose. Apparently people on the SL forum are inundated constantly with shoddy surveys that ask way too much personal information, and marketing companies only trying to make a profit. So, they knocked my attempt to solicit survey participants like only anonymous people on the internet can do. Well, I tried again in the education section of the forum and got zero response...so sad. So, I revised my writing and have tried one more time in the general section of the forum. While I might get some attacks from posters, I also get more participants this way than I've gotten any other way. I can take a little flack if I get what I want in the end.
So, I have about 20 survey participants that have taken it now, and am hoping for 80...ugh. Not looking forward to the drive that is left. I think for my final full survey I will be bribing SL residents with L$ (SL currency) to take the survey. I hope this will work!
Wish me luck! The results should be very interesting and have tons of implications!!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
AutoCad-Why don't they teach this stuff in class?
In the working world I have learned two very important features of Autocad that you never learn about in school. Xrefs and etransmitting.
Xrefs are amazing if used correctly, but why don't they even mention them in school? When I started working at my first office job in an architecture firm they looked at me like I had two heads and no skin when I said that I didn't know what an Xref was.
I know the schools teach a lot of information in a very short time, but you'd think they would be sure to include in the curriculum something that is commonly used in the working world, and is relatively easy to use, and would be great to incorporate into school projects.
etranmitting is the same way. An AutoCad command that attaches all xref's, plot styles, and other miscellaneous parts of a drawing before you email it off or send it somewhere? I've read it's even great for moving files around your computer. To ensure you aren't losing any important info!
I know school's have a lot on their plate with all of the technological advances that are always coming out, but it seems silly to not teach some of the most commonly used, and time saving features of the programs out there. It would help all of the students a lot upon graduation and transition into the real world.
There are about a million good books and Internet sites out there with information pertaining to Xrefs and etransmitting where you can find good information. Two that I've found really helpful are the AutoCad website, especially the forum, and a book called "AutoCad workbook for Advanced AutoCad 2009" by Cheryl Shrock
Xrefs are amazing if used correctly, but why don't they even mention them in school? When I started working at my first office job in an architecture firm they looked at me like I had two heads and no skin when I said that I didn't know what an Xref was.
I know the schools teach a lot of information in a very short time, but you'd think they would be sure to include in the curriculum something that is commonly used in the working world, and is relatively easy to use, and would be great to incorporate into school projects.
etranmitting is the same way. An AutoCad command that attaches all xref's, plot styles, and other miscellaneous parts of a drawing before you email it off or send it somewhere? I've read it's even great for moving files around your computer. To ensure you aren't losing any important info!
I know school's have a lot on their plate with all of the technological advances that are always coming out, but it seems silly to not teach some of the most commonly used, and time saving features of the programs out there. It would help all of the students a lot upon graduation and transition into the real world.
There are about a million good books and Internet sites out there with information pertaining to Xrefs and etransmitting where you can find good information. Two that I've found really helpful are the AutoCad website, especially the forum, and a book called "AutoCad workbook for Advanced AutoCad 2009" by Cheryl Shrock
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Research in interior design--what is it really?
As a practicing interior designer in graduate school I have recently stumbled upon the concept that research, as we have been taught for years, is not all that it might be cracked up to be.
We are taught in early schooling that research is merely looking up information in a book to get the facts you need to write a paper, or do another assignment. For some reason they do not bother to tell you that what you think is research is really just fact finding. True research is expanding the body of knowledge that exists. It is finding new information to be added to the astronomical pile of knowledge we as humans have discovered.
I swear this does apply to interior design...
Here's how:
We as designers are taught in a method that further reinforces fact finding to be considered as research. Until grad school I knew of no difference between the two. Now I am realizing that there is a distinct difference. Part of what influenced this blog is a great book called "Informing Design." It explicitly explains the differences between these two activities and how it applies to interior design.
Fact finding in interiors is fully necessary for any project. It includes programming with client interviews and space analysis. It also includes looking at products best suited for your design, finding in, and past designs which might be similar and successful. But research is something we are not always taught in school.
Research in interiors is the same as in any other field. It includes many things such as testing hypotheses, or analyzing past research. Emphasizing true research in this field is what might finally bring it up to being seen at the same level as any other reputable field instead of being seen as a "pretty career" or something else frivolous.
We as designers need to take on the responsibility of using true research from sites such as GoogleScholar and InformeDesign to make evidence-based design. Utilizing research that has been proven through testing is a much better way to design your project than just picking what YOU like. We are not in this field to just pick the colors we personally are most attracted to. We are in this business to do what is best for our client. By using research to design we can achieve the best outcomes for life safety, environmental psychology, quality design, and sustainability. In this aspect we are no different from others such as doctors who use research and testing to pick the best diagnosis and treatment for their patients. We should use this same mentality to pick the best design solution.
This is all not to say that we should make ugly designs. That is also part of our responsibility, and part of some of the many things that have been researched. Aesthetics should also be vitally important to any project, especially when combined with proven design information.
We as designers need to be as responsible in our approach to creating the spaces people live, work, and play in as any other field. we need to get over this "pretty" HGTV reputation we have and show what we are really out there doing.
We are taught in early schooling that research is merely looking up information in a book to get the facts you need to write a paper, or do another assignment. For some reason they do not bother to tell you that what you think is research is really just fact finding. True research is expanding the body of knowledge that exists. It is finding new information to be added to the astronomical pile of knowledge we as humans have discovered.
I swear this does apply to interior design...
Here's how:
We as designers are taught in a method that further reinforces fact finding to be considered as research. Until grad school I knew of no difference between the two. Now I am realizing that there is a distinct difference. Part of what influenced this blog is a great book called "Informing Design." It explicitly explains the differences between these two activities and how it applies to interior design.
Fact finding in interiors is fully necessary for any project. It includes programming with client interviews and space analysis. It also includes looking at products best suited for your design, finding in, and past designs which might be similar and successful. But research is something we are not always taught in school.
Research in interiors is the same as in any other field. It includes many things such as testing hypotheses, or analyzing past research. Emphasizing true research in this field is what might finally bring it up to being seen at the same level as any other reputable field instead of being seen as a "pretty career" or something else frivolous.
We as designers need to take on the responsibility of using true research from sites such as GoogleScholar and InformeDesign to make evidence-based design. Utilizing research that has been proven through testing is a much better way to design your project than just picking what YOU like. We are not in this field to just pick the colors we personally are most attracted to. We are in this business to do what is best for our client. By using research to design we can achieve the best outcomes for life safety, environmental psychology, quality design, and sustainability. In this aspect we are no different from others such as doctors who use research and testing to pick the best diagnosis and treatment for their patients. We should use this same mentality to pick the best design solution.
This is all not to say that we should make ugly designs. That is also part of our responsibility, and part of some of the many things that have been researched. Aesthetics should also be vitally important to any project, especially when combined with proven design information.
We as designers need to be as responsible in our approach to creating the spaces people live, work, and play in as any other field. we need to get over this "pretty" HGTV reputation we have and show what we are really out there doing.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The path to success...all the things they won't tell you
I know things get hectic when you're trying to figure out what the heck you want to do with your life, so I just wanted to give a quick overview for any of those out there looking to interior design as their potential path.
First, In high school you want to make sure you take drafting classes. AutoCAD is a HUGE part of your daily life as a designer. If you can't take these classes for whatever reason, you will still be alright, but it would give you a huge leg up if you can. Also, anything to do with construction would also be beneficial. Just remember that you can design all the pretty things you want, but if you can't figure out how they will go together, or how they will be mounted in a room they are useless.
Next, when looking for a college, make sure you choose a CIDA accredited program (I've listed the website at the bottom of this page). CIDA is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. They are in charge of making sure that all accredited schools are held to certain standards that insure students training to become designers will have the skill set necessary to be successful in the field. Companies that are looking to employ designers will look at the college you graduated from to see if it was an accredited program.
When you do finally graduate after all the hours of lost sleep and those spent in studio, you will want to get licenced as an interior designer in your state. To get licenced you need to first, and again, graduate from an accredited interior design program, and then get 2 years of experience. Once you have 2 years of experience you can apply to sit for the NCIDQ examination. This 2 day exam tests your proficiency in a very, very broad range of topics in interior design. Once you pass, you can apply in your state to be licenced. There are more paths that this one to be qualified to sit for your NCIDQ, and they are all on the website listed below. All of them require work experience and schooling.
Disclaimer: All of this information is stuff that I have picked up over the years while going through school and working in the field. I felt that it was hard to sift through all of the information out there, and that it was hard to find people who could give me the info I needed. So this is what I feel is important to know on a basic level about getting into interior design.
Also, if you are looking to be a decorator, none of this is necessary. You can be a decorator without going to school. However, you CANNOT legally call yourself an interior designer without a degree from an accredited school. If you are looking to just work as a designer at a furniture store, or kitchen store doing furniture layouts, a lot of this is also unnecessary. You will want a degree, but it doesn't have to be accredited. You could even just get a 2 year degree.
Websites:
CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.accredit-id.org/
IDEC (interior Design Educators Council) http://www.idec.org/
NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.ncidq.org/
First, In high school you want to make sure you take drafting classes. AutoCAD is a HUGE part of your daily life as a designer. If you can't take these classes for whatever reason, you will still be alright, but it would give you a huge leg up if you can. Also, anything to do with construction would also be beneficial. Just remember that you can design all the pretty things you want, but if you can't figure out how they will go together, or how they will be mounted in a room they are useless.
Next, when looking for a college, make sure you choose a CIDA accredited program (I've listed the website at the bottom of this page). CIDA is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. They are in charge of making sure that all accredited schools are held to certain standards that insure students training to become designers will have the skill set necessary to be successful in the field. Companies that are looking to employ designers will look at the college you graduated from to see if it was an accredited program.
When you do finally graduate after all the hours of lost sleep and those spent in studio, you will want to get licenced as an interior designer in your state. To get licenced you need to first, and again, graduate from an accredited interior design program, and then get 2 years of experience. Once you have 2 years of experience you can apply to sit for the NCIDQ examination. This 2 day exam tests your proficiency in a very, very broad range of topics in interior design. Once you pass, you can apply in your state to be licenced. There are more paths that this one to be qualified to sit for your NCIDQ, and they are all on the website listed below. All of them require work experience and schooling.
Disclaimer: All of this information is stuff that I have picked up over the years while going through school and working in the field. I felt that it was hard to sift through all of the information out there, and that it was hard to find people who could give me the info I needed. So this is what I feel is important to know on a basic level about getting into interior design.
Also, if you are looking to be a decorator, none of this is necessary. You can be a decorator without going to school. However, you CANNOT legally call yourself an interior designer without a degree from an accredited school. If you are looking to just work as a designer at a furniture store, or kitchen store doing furniture layouts, a lot of this is also unnecessary. You will want a degree, but it doesn't have to be accredited. You could even just get a 2 year degree.
Websites:
CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.accredit-id.org/
IDEC (interior Design Educators Council) http://www.idec.org/
NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Accreditation) http://www.ncidq.org/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Architectural Mecca
In today's great age of technology and design one city in the world seems to be consistently "taking the cake" in terms of adventurous and interesting design. Dubai. I envy people who live and get to visit this mecca for architectural wonders. I mean c'mon, this place is like Disneyland with extra Mickey Mouse for anyone who can appreciate creative design.
'0-14 tower' was designed by resier and umemoto and rur architecture pc along with Dubai developer, shahab lutfi. the building was designed for dubai's business bay and features 22 floors covered in a double skin facade that's outermost skin is constructed from 40c, thick perforated concrete. the one meter space between the skins creates a chimney effect, cooling the building. How sweet is this? It looks like lace or Swiss cheese as a building. It even utilizes natural cooling techniques.
I guess my whole point of this particular rant is to ask why we can't do anything this interesting and innovative in the States? Is it because we are so worried about the bottom line we cannot see how positively something other than an air conditioned box can serve as a building? Everywhere you look, giant, square, air conditioned boxes. How lovely....
I guess I'm just jealous that I have to go halfway around the world to see really interesting architecture and design like the DaVinci Rotating towers, the Dancing Towers, or the Dubai Towers.
We have the know-how and engineering capabilities here to construct buildings that would add interest, beauty, tourism, and green design into our lives. Are we just to lazy and worried about the short-term bottom line that we cannot see our future in square, boring, rat cages? Maybe it is because we lost our spirit of competition? Maybe it's just the lack of oil money? But I think we as Americans, and others across the world, should look to these magnificent structures as a challenge to better ourselves, and our ideas of what buildings should be.
Friday, May 8, 2009
$9 million for some lines huh?
So someone paid $9 million for this...
I am quite a proponent for ,and lover of fine art, and I do like this piece, but what else could some rich guy do with $9 mil. I mean you could still pay the artist $1 million and have $8 left over for charity, the hurting economy, anything! It just seems like such a waste...
Hey, at just over $1 million per line I guess it was a steal!
Xerascape your life!
So this isn't so much an "interior" as it is an "exterior" blog, but it's an important design topic none the less.
Xerascaping refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation. It is promoted in areas that do not have easily accessible supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as climate patterns shift. Utilizing plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate isemphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.
The photo at the left is an example of a beautiful xerascaped area in California.
While this is a term that was coined in Colorado, and is more popular in the Western part of the US, it is something we can all do to up our ability to be more resourceful. It is also benificial to companies who choose to landscape in this manner since they will be spending less money on upkeep and watering of plants that will thrive in their natural landscape.Xerascaping might lower the number of plants you can select from, but it is still a beautiful choice in landscape design. Who really needs a palm tree growing in the midwest anyway?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
