Principles of Interior Design Notes

Principles of Interior Design 1

Department Overview

  • Department of Interior Design and Upholstery Technology
  • Faculty of Built Environment
  • Accra Technical University

Topics Covered

  • Space Definition
  • Interior Space
  • Spatial Dimensions
  • Spatial Transitions
  • Understanding Principles
  • Guide for Behavior

Understanding Principles

  • Definition of a Principle:
    • A principle is a fundamental proposition or value that guides and shapes behavior.
    • In professional practice, it serves as a rule to be followed consistently to achieve desired outcomes.
Inevitable Consequences of Principles
  • Desirable Guidelines or Inevitable Outcomes:
    • Principles can be seen as either desirable guidelines or inevitable outcomes.
    • They function similarly to laws observed in nature or the inherent ways in which systems are constructed and function.
Internal Forces of Principles
  • Nature of Principles:
    • Principles also encompass internal convictions that compel individuals to act according to their beliefs about what is right or correct.
    • These principles form the ethical foundation of professional practice.

Principles: The Foundation of Design

  • Importance of Principles:
    • Principles serve as the foundations upon which effective interior design is built, influencing decision-making and creative processes.

Understanding Space Definition

  • Definition of Space:
    • Space is defined as the area that a shape or form occupies, as well as the background against which these forms are perceived.
    • This dual nature of space makes it one of the most complex yet essential elements in design.
Positive and Negative Space
  • Positive Space:
    • Often defined by the shapes, forms, and objects that comprise a composition.
  • Negative Space:
    • Refers to the empty area surrounding positive elements, which is crucial for establishing balance and visual interest.
  • Collaboration of Positive and Negative Space:
    • Both types of space interact to create harmony and meaning in interior environments.

Space: The Essential Design Element

  • Understanding Space Through Geometry:
    1. Point: Represents a precise location in space, having no dimensions.
    2. Plane: A flat, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely in all directions.
    3. Universal Space and Perception:
      • The principles of geometry can help us understand and perceive space universally in design contexts.
The Nature of Universal Space
  • Architectural Space Visualization:
    • Diagrams that illustrate how geometric elements like points, lines, planes, and volumes work together to define and articulate architectural space.
    • Tips on observing how these elements combine to create cohesive spatial compositions that are both functional and aesthetically meaningful.
Architectural Elements in Space Definition
  • Fundamental components such as:
    • Columns
    • Beams
    • Floors
    • These elements are intrinsic to understanding how space is organized and utilized in design.