Art Worlds 2010

Totally informal research on Interior Environments:

Technically, it is a MFA degree in Design that specializes in Interior Environments. SO… It’s a concentration?

“Postprofessional track … one of about 10 available nationally, that allows students who already have an undergraduate degree in interior design or architecture the opportunity to develop an individualized direction in scholarship.” – VCU Bulletins

1. Are there geographic hot spots associated with your discipline?

a. Not necessarily… Depending on the style

b. It manifests almost everywhere because of the need for housing and other buildings

2. What are the top schools in this field? (When speaking Interior Design, these are the ones I found… But searching professional degrees in Interior Environments was a bit confusing.)

a. The University of Cincinnati in Ohio

b. Pratt Institute in New York

c. Kansas State in Kansas

d. Cornell in New York

e. Arizona State in Arizona

f. The Art Institute of Toronto in Toronto, Canada

g. American Intercontinental University in London, UK

3. Who are the important critics?

a. The consumer

b. Authors of magazine articles? i.e. Architectural Digest, Dwell, Interior Design

4. Who are the people (what type of people) organize this work?

a. Architecture and Design firms, stagers, realtors

5. What signifies success in the field?

a. Form

i. Aesthetically pleasing, thus more consumers incorporate the design into their homes/properties

b. Function

i. The design works well in the space provided

6. Are there recent issues in this field right now? (i.e. eco friendly design)

a. DIY – Popularity of networks like HGTV promote the idea of homeowners and such designing for themselves… Not necessarily sure if this is an issue or just a shift in the range of participants of this discipline of the art world.

b. Certainly environmentally friendly design

i. Sustainability (lower impact on the environment)

1. Bamboo flooring, continues to grow even after cutting

2. Nontoxic paint

3. Low energy lighting

ii. Recycled materials, i.e. glass, wallpaper, salvaging furniture

iii. Energy efficiency

1. Steel rather than aluminum (less energy to produce)

7. Who are the legendary people in the field that have set the standards?

a. Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller – American modern furniture/interior design

b. Movements - Victorian, Islamic, Minimalist, English Georgian, Gothic, Art Deco

8. What are the famous institutions for this discipline and how are artists supported?

a. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) of the U.S. Green Building Council sets the standard for “green” design

b. (Given that there is an inevitable overlap in architecture and interior design) Architecture and Design Firms all across the world, for example, in Richmond, Glavé & Holmes