2.
1 Define your tasks
Interfacing with other
2.2
disciplines
2.3 Design concept
MODULE 2
2.4 Drawings & plans
Design concepts 2.5 Six design principles
2.6 Finding inspiration
MODULE 2
Design concepts
19
22
interior design
&
home styling
2.1 Define your tasks
Once you’ve taken your brief from a client, it’s helpful to have an overview of the subsequent
sequence of work that’s involved. Breaking your tasks into categories helps you define them
and apply focus more effectively.
1 Interpret and research. The first task is to interpret your clients
brief and to research the materials, products and services needed
Interpret and and also to look at creative alternatives.
research.
Survey. This part of the job starts with taking details on site, like
2 measurements, current condition of the premises, access,
character, building services etc. and then to produce drawings
Survey.
from which you can plan your work.
3 Design and plan. Now starts the most creative part of the project -
choosing the elements that shape and define the space you’re
working on, allowing good circulation to the users and fulfilling
Design and function and aesthetic requirements. Design any purpose-made
plan. components and choose suitable fittings, lighting, furnishings and
décor. (More in section 2.3)
Specify the products, furnishings, furniture, materials, finishes, light
4 fittings, and also IT & audiovisual equipment if needed.
Specify.
5 Oversee the implementation of all work; ensuring work is planned
in the most time efficient sequence and duration for the client.
Oversee.
20
23
interior design
&
home styling
2.2 Interfacing with other disciplines
There are a number of other professionals who may be involved in the same project you’re
working on. Developing an excellent working relationship with these other stakeholders always
helps you do your job more efficiently and smoothly. Your work will often interface with theirs.
Architects: Responsible for the building design.
Structural engineers: Responsible for the structural aspects of the building and that they
comply with building regulations.
Service engineers: Responsible for the design of building services and IT requirements.
Surveyors: Responsible for the surveying of a site which includes the condition of the building
and the services.
Furnishing consultants and audiovisual specialists
Facilities managers: If working on an office building, this position is responsible for the
management of the office.
Landscape consultants: Responsible for the external layout and design.
Conservation officers/group: These officials are responsible for ensuring the preservation and
good condition of important historical elements of a building which is subject to preservation
laws.
Local authorities: Responsible for approving applications for building and renovations where
necessary and for monitoring standards.
Other specialist designers: Additional designers may be employed for areas such as
graphics, products, textiles or furniture.
21
24
interior design
&
home styling
2.3 Design concept
Once you’ve taken and interpreted your brief, surveyed the space/building and done research
into possibilities for materials, products and services, it’s time to begin the creative process of
coming up with solutions and ideas - planning and designing. This might take some time if
you’re just beginning. In many cases, as you’re researching products and materials, you’ll be
inspired with working solutions.
It’s useful to view this stage as a design concept. To help clarify your thinking, your challenges
can be divided in to 2 groups with 4 divisions in each:
ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS CONCEPTS OF FORM
PLANNING THREE DIMENSIONAL
Work with plans, drawings and information Sketches and drawings in 3D to chart
from client to determine use of space, planned decisions.
structure of elements, services, display,
storage, levels, scale. CONSTRUCTION
CIRCULATION Primary structures, e.g. kitchen units,
secondary structures, e.g. furniture,
Movement of users through space, function, performance, surfaces.
positioning of objects, connections,
adjacencies. Spatial relationships of MATERIALS
users’ activities + frequency and
access. Texture, hard, soft, structural,
decorative, functional, properties,
LIGHTING durability.
Daylight, artificial, overall effect, tone, COLOUR
sources, location, intensity.
Composition, proportion, distribution,
SERVICES mood, effects.
Power supply, water, drainage, building
management systems, IT.
22
25
interior design
&
home styling
Architects, stylists and designers use scale drawings or working drawings to present their ideas.
These are usually done in a scale of 1:100, 1:50 or 1:20. This means, for every 100m, 50mm or
20mm of real space, your paper will show 1mm.
Most interior design plan drawings are done using AutoCAD® design and documentation
software. These easy to learn tools make it easy to present professional drawings that can
include all technical details, measurements and symbols.
As we mentioned in Module 1, developing your ability to hand sketch plans and drawings is also
a big advantage. The skills using line, light and shadow that you could learn in fine art or life
drawing classes are well worth having. They will also increase your ability to interpret vital visual
elements like scale, proportion and depth. A scale ruler will make working out measurements
easy and getting perspective
right becomes much easier with practice.
There are lots of great books available that will help you develop
your drawing and sketching ability, like:
How to Draw What You See by Rudy De Reyna
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
Plans layouts are used for:
Working out any structural alterations you think would
benefit the interior according to your design plan, for
example knocking walls, changing the position of doors or
windows. Alterations depicted in your plan can be used,
first of all to show your client the end result of your
suggestions and also possibly when applying for panning
permission if needed.
Planning out the best use of space. Any new pieces of
furniture you suggest can be drawn to scale on separate
paper, cut out and used to position in various places to
experiment with design layout.
Indicating where other work is required from professional
contractors you’ll be engaging, like plumbing or electrical
work. A copy of the plans can be given to each relevant
professional.
Costing the work. When all planned changes are outlined
on the plans, costing can be estimated efficiently.
23
26
interior design
&
home styling
While scaled drawings of floor plans show a bird’s eye view, it’s
also helpful to produce elevation drawings which show ideas
viewed from a standing position.
Sectional drawings show the construction of fixtures and fittings in
a room and also details furniture, especially if you’ve specified
specially built pieces. A section shows the room as if it has been
sliced through from ceiling to floor.
You’ll also need to make up sample boards and mood boards to
bring ideas to life and give a more effective visual presentation of
your ideas.
You’ll learn more about how to present your ideas using drawings,
computer design programs and mood boards in Module 9.
Rendering is used to explain details on drawings more clearly, for
example to illustrate different floor coverings.
2.5 Six design principles
When beginning any interior design project you need to be able to step back from the elements
and details and view the job as a whole so you achieve a balanced, unified and harmonious end
result. Elements should not be worked on in isolation but as integral parts of one whole in which
each part serves to strengthen the totality of the design.
There are six main principles of interior design: scale, proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis
and harmony.
2.5.1 SCALE AND PROPORTION
These go hand in hand as they both relate to size and shape. Proportion is to do with the ratio
of one design element to another or one element to the whole. Scale is to do with the size of
one object compared to another.
There is a mathematical formula which says that when taking two elements, the ratio of the
smaller of the two to the larger should be the same as the ratio of the larger element to the
whole (the combination of the two elements). This proportion is one which is subliminally
pleasing to humans as it exists in nature and is used by architects and artists also. If you want
to delve further into this interesting theory, investigate fractal geometry.
24
27
interior design
&
home styling
2.5.2 BALANCE
One thing we all know as human beings is that when things are out of balance, they rarely work
and leave us feeling uneasy and unsure. Everyone who has cooked a meal knows the
importance of balancing the ingredients. Cycling a bicycle just isn’t going to happen without
balance. Every child learns that to use blocks to build any creation, there must be balance or it
will fall down. Life needs to be balanced between work and play. We look for balance both
literally and figuratively. This also applies to the spaces we live in.
Philosophers have recognized this for centuries. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man saw the
navel as the center of the human body and everything circulated from here. There is also the
symmetry to each side of the body. People with perfectly symmetrical faces have been proven
to appear more attractive. Understanding the principles of balance and the effect on people will
help you to design spaces with aesthetics that are very pleasing to spend time and carry out
activities in.
In interior design, balance refers to the equal distribution of
visual weight in a room. Balance in a room can be divided into
three components: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial.
Symmetry always gives a calm, reassuring, orderly, structured
feel. It was predominantly present in classic and traditional
interior styles. Each side of a room was an exact mirror of the
other; the same objects appeared in the same positions on either
side or a vertical axis. It has a formal feel. It’s the easiest
principle to use when looking for balance. It’s perfectly suited to
a bedroom where what you need is a relaxed, safe place.
Even though, in modern interior design, symmetry is not always used as a basis for the design
plan, because of the qualities it gives, it’s always worth bearing in mind when you need to
introduce a psychologically comfortable backdrop. It reflects the symmetry of the human body
and resonates with this innate natural law. You can use a variety of methods to create symmetry
– an architectural feature, the placement of furniture, lamps, color or fixtures.
In a symmetrical room, anything that’s out of balance stands out. It has a noticeable effect on
people. Particularly sensitive individuals can feel very uncomfortable in a room without
symmetry. On the other hand, it can feel boring to other people in which case you can add
interest or liveliness with well-designed objects or pieces of art.
Asymmetrical balance is more common than symmetry in
modern interior design and achieves balance by using different
objects that carry equal visual weight or visual focus. It gives
much more freedom for expression and interest and a more
informal feel. You can introduce a
25
28
interior design
&
home styling
much livelier theme and give a feeling of movement, experimentation and openness as opposed
to the static feeling of a perfectly symmetric room.
Asymmetrical balance feels less manipulated but can be more difficult to get right. You are
working with a number of unique elements – lines, colors, textures and forms that are not
duplicated in the space. You have to assess how much visual weight each carries and distribute
them to achieve a balance that feels comfortable. The objects and elements must work together
to create a harmonious relationship but it will end up being a much more dynamic interaction
than with a symmetrical arrangement and will also be visually exciting. This is a more
contemporary way of approaching interior design.
Radial symmetry is achieved by arranging elements of a design
around a central focal point. An island in a kitchen or a dining
table is example as is a centrally placed spiral staircase or a
circular, dominant lighting fixture. While there is one main focal
point there can also be less obvious points of attention in this
kind of room.
You will come across interiors that appear not to have been
designed according to the rules of balance described above, and
there are. The reason they can sometimes work well is because
the designer was skilled enough to break the rules and still keep
visual balance. Equilibrium is achieved by distributing objects
and accessories according to all the
aspects that determine the visual weight - size, overall shape, texture and surface.
For example, a dark object of unusual shape or texture feels visually heavier than a light or
neutral colored, translucent object even though they may be of the same size. This kind of
balancing requires experience as well as talent and we’d recommend waiting until you’ve done
some designing according to the principles described above before trying to be radical!
2.5.2 RHYTHM
You’ll already be familiar with what rhythm means in music
– the beat, the pulse, patterns of repetition and contrast. These
give a sense of continuity, organization and order. Within the
structure of order, there is also surprise and interest. These
same principles apply to interior design. You need to integrate
repetition and contrast and also progression and transition. You
want to take the user of the space on a journey, visually leading
him or her from one design element to another.
Repetition is taking one element and repeating it to a greater or lesser degree at other points,
like color, texture, pattern or line.
Contrast is to place two elements which are in opposition to each other, like black and white or
circles and squares. Contrast is naturally more startling than repetition so use it cautiously and
sparingly. Don’t let it upset the balance of the scene you’ve already created.
26
29
interior design
&
home styling
Progression can be achieved by taking an element and repeating it in a way that either
increases its visual impact or decreases it. Size is a good example of this in action, like placing
different sized similar objects in a room. It can also be done by using a monochromatic color
scheme – like choosing cushions of varying tones of the same color.
Transition could also be called flow. It’s like the effect of a curved path drawing your eye along
its line. You want to lead the user’s eye naturally from one spot to another.
2.5.3 EMPHASIS OR FOCAL POINT
If everything in a room holds equal importance, there will be no
focus of attention and it will seem either boring or scattered.
Boredom is definitely something you want to avoid! A well
designed room will have at least one focal point. A large room
can have a few. Each focal point must be strong enough to draw
attention and hold it. Architectural features often provide a
natural focal point, like a fireplace or a bow window. You can
choose to enhance the inherent feature by arranging furniture
and objects around it. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal
point you can create one by grouping furniture, say around a TV,
by introducing an unusual piece of furniture or by introducing a
contrasting color in one area. Be sure to integrate each focal
point with
the surrounding décor, style, color or theme and don’t let it be too dominant.
2.5.5 HARMONY
Harmony is created when all elements in an interior project work
together to give a unified impression. Just as rhythm creates
interest and excitement, harmony creates a sense of peace and
restfulness. Harmony can be very effectively achieved with color.
Choose three or four basic colors for your palette and use them
in varying tones and hues throughout a house. A common
theme, mood or style creates harmony.
A well designed space feels unified as one harmonious and
unified whole. Balance the amount repetition with the interest of
surprise.
It goes without saying that details matter in interiors. As
much as you need harmony, you need the interest of detail. Pay attention to the smallest of
details from handles on furniture to trimmings on cushions. Details shouldn’t take on a life of
their own but work to integrate into the design theme, to add to it rather than distract from it.
27
30
interior design
&
home styling
2.6 Finding inspiration
You’ve been given the job of planning a new interior for a room
or a whole house. How exciting! If you have a naturally flowing
sense of creativity, then you’re probably already bursting with
ideas. Sometimes, though, creativity isn’t flowing so smoothly or
you’re stuck on some parts. Focusing on the practical parts of
the job can get in the way of coming up with great ideas and
solutions to problems. Or when you’re faced with a problem you
can’t seem to solve it can block your natural talent.
Luckily, if your creative well is running dry, there’s a world of
inspiration you can dip into that will help you to get it flowing
again.
Artistic inspiration can come from anything in the world that takes your interest. Keep open to
opportunities to fill your creative well. You can be inspired by beautiful architecture or the
interiors of public buildings. While travelling, you could see new angles, themes, color
combinations or motifs that lead to a stream of ideas. Always keep your notebook and camera
with you to record these things and refer to when you’re looking for something to inspire you on
a new project. Galleries and museums, especially ones that carry works with a design theme
should be visited regularly as they are filled with a myriad of objects that could spark the
solution you’re looking for.
Here are a few ideas for sources of inspiration:
Fashion is teeming with creative expression. What’s more, it’s
probably the fastest moving source of up to date ideas. New
collections adorn the catwalks of the world’s major cities a few
times a year and get photographed and featured extensively.
You don’t have to search far to feast yourself on wonderful new
creations.
Concentrate on the big fashion houses. The designers that work
here are truly talented artists and work hard to continually
reinvent their trade and tirelessly come up with new looks,
pieces and trends or with inspiring re-workings of previous
trends.
Though fashion design can be lots of fun, it is far from frivolous.
It ranges from functional clothing to works of art that will
probably make it to a museum one day. It
reflects the overall sentiment of a culture, the zeitgeist of a nation and the economic picture of
the world at any given time. Look at both modern and historical fashion trends – we’re sure
you’ll find lots to inspire you.
28
31
interior design
&
home styling
Look at:
The overall outline and scale of an outfit.
The kind of lines the designer used.
Color schemes.
Dominant themes.
Fabric textures and patterns.
Architecture, no matter where in the world you are, can always be a source of inspiration. The
array of aesthetics, tastes and styles is endless. As well as looking at the buildings within reach
of where you live, research architecture and interior architecture form around the world and
throughout the ages. You’ll notice themes and lines from classic and traditional disciplines being
repeated not just in architecture from later times but in all kinds of areas of design.
For example, we mentioned the Art Nouveau movement in Module 1. This style was popular at
the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. It was defined by lots of fluid and flowing
curvilinear lines, often referred to as whiplash lines. It is said to have inspired the psychedelic
art movement of the 1960s. The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest is a good example of Art
Nouveau architecture.
29
32
interior design
&
home styling
Whenever you travel to another country make a point of visiting and photographing any building
that takes your interest and add them to your portfolio. At a later date you could find just the
inspiration you’re looking for. But don’t wait for your vacations! Look up architecture online or in
good books and magazines, such as Architectural Digest, on the subject.
NATURE
There is no end to the vast array of inspiration present all around us in nature. Trees, flowers,
gardens, insects, rivers, valleys, birds, mountains, lakes, deserts, skies, animals and much
more can give you ideas to work with. If you’re feeling stuck, try to go out for a long walk. Not
only will the fresh air and rhythm of walking clear your mind and help you relax, when you’re not
expecting it, a shape, texture, pattern or color palette could catch your eye and the right side of
your brain and give you the answer you’re looking for.
National Geographic magazines from any time past or present have a wealth of the most
stunning pictures from nature. You’re sure to find something to move you there. Also, look for
inspiring photography in Flickr groups and on photography sites. Another excellent collection of
beautiful and often usual nature photographs is on the Bing archive of daily images.
http://www.istartedsomething.com/bingimages/
TRAVEL
Visiting new places is a great way of renewing and refreshing lots about us, and one is definitely
creativity. Whether it’s a day trip, weekend away or a full vacation, a change of scenery is a gift
of new ideas. Make a point of going to new places each time you travel. Take time to explore
the area on foot and be observant. Avoid typical tourist hangouts and look for the more
unspoiled gems instead. Maybe take a train instead of flying? You’ll experience much more of
the natural terrain.
ART AND CRAFTS
Visit fairs, exhibitions and competitions. You’ll often find unique and quirky expression through
individual pieces of craft. Look at the shapes, textures and patterns and how materials interact
with each other like metal and fabric or how light change the look of a glass piece.
Go to art galleries and notice the palette of colors used by artists. What works well? What would
translate well to an interior? Also, look up masters like Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne
and more. Their color palettes were striking and very well balanced.
30
