i+D - May/June 2021 - 23

NCIDQ holders
in 2020
33,975
*+1.6% increase since 2019
Susan Chung,
Ph.D.
" [The pandemic] created a great 'pause' in
the world giving us a moment to reflect, rethink,
reconnect, reinvent, rebuild, and renew. "
- SUSAN CHUNG, PH.D., ASID
JQ: Considering the landmark year that was 2020,
did tackling this annual report feel different in any
way? Did your approach change? Did you have specific
expectations?
SC: We approached the 2021 Outlook and State of Interior
Design report similarly to past years, wanting to be consistent in
our method and delivery so we could provide some constant to
the turbulent year we had experienced in 2020. We had already
gleaned from the ASID 2020 Interior Design Resiliency Report
in July that our experiences during the pandemic varied and we
would have to be on our toes in seeing how the future would
unfold. We focused on the fundamentals to make sure we were
covering common ground and providing a solid footing in case
unforeseen factors created divergence. For example, we had
expected the Economic Outlook to be somewhat nebulous, with
all the unknowns, and saw it to be critical in understanding
which key factors would impact design business decisions and
should be monitored going forward. For all sections, we strived
to provide design implications to prompt thoughts on how each
data point, trend, or outlook could have an impact on a more
local or concentrated level.
JQ: Were there any big surprises in this year's report?
SC: Overall, it was refreshing to see trends revisit fundamental
values and interior design centering around its core of health,
safety, and welfare. The time afforded the opportunity to
rethink and reassess our motivations for the future. Although
disheartening to see dualities in society (i.e., social inequalities)
being unearthed, having these issues in the foreground allows
us to address change in hope for a better, brighter, and
healthier future.
JQ: The report shows a continuing decline in the number
of interior design and interior architecture students. What
can educators, practitioners, and associations do to bring
those numbers up?
SC: Growing the profession is definitely a collective effort that
needs to be addressed from multiple areas. We need to redefine
interior design and expand the public's perception of the
profession. Associations, design firms, and design media need to
communicate the breadth and depth of interior design and how
design impacts the human experience beyond what is seen at first
glance, or the aesthetics, to include how design outcomes can
be demonstrated in emotional, behavioral, and social responses.
Educators, practitioners, and associations need to empower
current students, while also reaching out to prospective students,
on how evidence-based design solutions can create a proven
positive impact on people and the planet. We need to advocate
for the value interior design brings to people's health, safety, and
quality of life in a way that entices the younger generation to
add purpose and intentionality in this world through design. The
profession needs to work on being recognized for the value it
brings to society in order for people to want to be educated and
trained in the knowledge and skills that lead to meaningful work.
Interior Design Programs &
Students (CIDA Accredited)*
Number of Interior Design Programs
59%
28%
Number of Interior Design Students
13%
66%
21%
Public
Private (Non-Profit)
13%
Private (For-Profit)
179 accredited in CIDA Programs (includes Bachelor and Master's
degrees, U.S. and international locations, and online programs)
17,489 students enrolled in CIDA Programs (includes full-time
and part-time students)
*Note: Data on programs and students is based on a survey produced by CIDA in 2020; not every
CIDA program participated (n=175).
i+D - May/June 2021
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i+D - May/June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - May/June 2021