IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2017 - 40

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No one knows how design will morph over the coming
years. The one certainty: Students in the classroom will
have a massive role in how it shapes up.
We spoke with four students about the state of the
profession, what's influencing their work, and their plans
for the future. They didn't always agree. For instance,
they may be digital natives, but they were divided over the
degree to which designers should be tethered to their tech.
Yet, it's clear they all realize the transformative power of
design and the part they can play.
PERSPECTIVE: What do you find most inspiring
about interior design?
MARIE MELVIN, STUDENT IIDA, STAFFORDSHIRE
UNIVERSITY: The duality of creativity and intellectuality

is what drew me to interior design. I've always had
this strong need to create interior spaces, but I've also
discovered there's much more to interior design than that.
I think interior design sometimes faces credibility
issues. Here in France, for example, it is not a regulated
profession. Anyone can say they are an "interior designer."
And there are lots of people with no interior design or

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people relate to their environment, and that is crucial to
change. There are millions of possibilities to design better
spaces, and the results can be life-changing.
RAQUEL RANEY, STUDENT IIDA, FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY: An interior designer

has the ability to realize the value in older spaces.
Anything can be made beautiful, and interior designers
have the perspective to bring that out. We see the
building as just a shell and are able to work within
that. And as long we approach the project with a lot of
flexibility and an open mind-like, OK, let's get in there
and see what we can do-then the results can be amazing
and endlessly valuable.
PERSPECTIVE: What gaps do you see between
your education and your expectations for your
work experience?
MELVIN: At school, we're working in a world of "anything

is possible," but we're not dealing with real projects.
When you remove the human and financial components,
which might be the most unpredictable part of a project,
it doesn't prepare you well for dealing with the possible

We're using YouTube tutorials and teaching ourselves. And I guess that's
the point-technology is forever changing, so you have to be able to be resourceful
and self-reliant and just take it upon yourself to learn what's necessary.
architecture background offering their services. Not only
can this be detrimental to the quality of the work, but it
also gives the wrong impression that you don't need any
"real knowledge" to do this job, just a good sense of style. 
But there's an intellectual gravitas to interior design. It
does require real knowledge-such as design techniques,
principles, strategy, knowledge of materials, lighting,
colors, etc.-as well as analytical skills, which I had from
my previous studies and career in international education.
You also have this capacity to make changes happen
through design. A very interesting thing about interior
design is that it sits at the crossroads of social, economic,
political, and environmental issues. There are just so many
issues where design can be part of the conversation, whether
it's aging, political turmoil, economic instability, safety and
security issues, gender balance, or the obsolescence of new
technology. The challenges are endless.
MAXWELL (CHUN-WEI) CHEN, PRATT INSTITUTE:

One really exciting thing about the design industry is that
we all seem to really enjoy what we do, even though it can
be tiring. We're designing spaces that might change how

40

perspective

iida.org/perspective

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-Raquel Raney, Student IIDA

pressures of the job, such as being a quick thinker or being
able to deal with conflict and acting as a mediator.
LINDZEY DUVAL, STUDENT IIDA, IIDA STUDENT
OF THE YEAR IN 2017: I believe everyone's transition

between education to landing your first job in the
professional design industry is very different. Personally, my
time in school has provided me with a strong foundation
that I can use as I am jumping in and finding my way in
the professional environment. I believe that having a good
design foundation with the right attitude means you can
bridge the gap between education and the professional
design industry. 
CHEN: My school is preparing me pretty well for the real
world. The biggest difference I'm getting used to is time
pressure. At school we have all the time we need to develop
our ideas and explore different possibilities. At work,
sometimes I'm asked to do three iterations in one hour,
and it's a rush. So at work it's a lot about working really fast
while still expressing the artistic side of the design. And at
school, that's where we learn to elevate our artistry of our
own designs.
http://www.iida.org/perspective
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2017
