The Attitude of Interior Architecture Education Towards Digital Design

Abstract

With the recent developments in digital technology, computer aided design is transforming into a process of computer mediated design. The computer is becoming more intertwined with the design process as a creative device. Even though the research is still fresh on the subject, many examples of digital design is proposed by academicians. These applications can provide creative solutions, even with alternatives, to design problems. However in the interior design field the developments are still in its infancy. But this does not mean that the concept of digital design will not reach to interior design area. Creating and shaping spaces is also a problem for interior design that can benefit from digital design. Since the digital process proposes new tools and new methodology for design, there should be a modification in the design education also. The interior architect, who knows several cad drawing and visualization techniques, might not be able survive in the up and coming digital design world. The new knowledge base requires new skills and new forms of thinking. This article elaborates on the subject of the requirements and the possible exploitations of digital design process for the interior architect and what skills can be provided during the education process to the developing interior architect to prepare him/her to the future of design.