1. The document provides an introduction to interior design, including its history, definitions, roles, functions, scope of works, career opportunities, and basic elements and styles. 2. Interior design has evolved from ancient civilizations decorating spaces to becoming a professional field in the late 19th century. It involves conceptual planning and management of interior spaces. 3. In addition to aesthetics, interior designers aim to enhance functionality, safety, and meet user needs. Their scope includes residential, commercial, and specialized spaces like hospitals and museums. Common styles discussed are classic, Asian, country, contemporary, and high-tech.

1. Week 6 :
INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGN
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, CENTRE FOR
FOUNDATION STUDIES, IIUM, PETALING JAYA
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2. CONTENT
History
Definitions
The Role
Functions
Scope of Works
Stages of Works
Career Opportunity
Basic Elements of Interior Design
Styles in Interior Design

3. HISTORY
Interior Design started during Ancient Egyptians, who
decorated their humble mud huts with simple furniture
enhanced by animal skins or textiles as well as murals,
sculptures and painted vases. Beautiful gold ornaments found
in Egyptian tombs (King Tutankhamen) revealed the
importance of more lavish decoration.

4. The Roman and Greek civilizations developed domed-roof
public building which interior decorating and accessorizing
were enhanced. Greek wooden furniture had ivory and silver
ornamentation while Roman furniture made of stone, wood or
bronze accented by cushions and tapestries. Both Romans and
Greeks used vases, mosaic floors, frescoes (wall paintings) to
beautify interior spaces.

5. In 18th century, interior decoration was the concern of the
homemaker such as upholsterer or craftsmen and
architect would employ them to complete interior design
for a building.
Towards the end of 19th century Interior Design emerged
as a profession in the Western world.

6. Definition
Interior Design describes a group of various yet related
projects that involves turning an interior space into an
effective setting for the range of human activities that are to
take place.
Interior Design is a multifaceted profession that includes
conceptual development, liaising with stakeholders of a
project and the management and execution of the design.

7. Interior Designer is a person who emphasis on
planning, functional design and effective use of space. An
Interior Designer can undertake projects that include arranging
the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects
that require an understanding of technical issues such
acoustic, lighting and temperature.

8. Interior Designer should be creative, imaginative and artistic
person and they also need to be disciplined, organised and
skilled business people. Combining knowledge with aesthetic,
inteior designer work with clients and other design
professionals to develop design solutions that are safe,
functional, attractive and meet the needs of the people using
the space.

9. The role of Interior Designers are to enhance the function,
safety and aesthetics of interior spaces.
Concerned with different colours, textures, furniture and
lighting work together to meet the needs of building’s
occupants.
Specialized in different type of spaces :-
Residential, Commercial, Hotels, Hospitals, Universal Design,
Exhibitions, Transport Terminals, Institutional and Museums
The Role of Interior Designer

10. Function of Interior Designers
Apart from beautify spaces, Interior Designers also help to
improve spaces in order to :-
-Boost office productivity
-Increase sales
-Attract a more affluent clientele
-Provide more relaxing and comfortable stay
-Increase the building ‘s market value

11. Scope of Works
Traditionally Interior Designers involved in
decorating, choosing a style, colour palette, fabric, furniture
and lighting.
However, present trend Interior Designers are more involved in
designing architectural detailing such as crown molding, built-
in shelves or cabinets as well as planning of layout of the
interior spaces.
Interior Designer should also be able to read
blueprints, understand buildings, fire codes and know how to
make space accessible to disable and elderly.

12. Frequently working with architects, electricians and building
contractors to ensure that their design are safe and meet
construction requirements.
Three areas that are becoming popular :-
-Ergonomics
-Universal Design
-Environmental or green Design

13. Stages of Work
Stage 1: Determine the need of the clients (programming)
-Meet face to face to find out how the space will be used and
to get the ideas of client design preferences and budget.
Stage 2:Formulate a design plan and estimate the cost
The design and cost are on the basis of client’s goal and
budget.
The designer will present to the client and make revisions on
the basis of the client input.

14. Stages of Work
Stage 3: Specifying materials, finishes and furnishing
Once the design has been finalised the designer will begin
specifying the details of the design.
Depending on the complexity, the designer will prepare
drawings and submit for approval. If requires structural work
the designer need to work with architect or engineer.
Stage 4: Develop a Timeline for the Project
To ensure the project is completed on time, including
coordinating the work schedules of contractors.
To oversee the installation of the design elements and after
completion will pay follow up visits to ensure the client is
satisfied with the completed project.

15. Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID) was established
in 1990 with the purpose of coordinating the activities of
interior designers
Aims to maintain high standard in education, professional
practice and communication with statutory bodies and private
sectors in related fields.
Provides contacts with industry, design organisations and
individual designers in this country and overseas.

16. Career Opportunity
Interior Designer – public/private sector
Consultant
Researcher
Academician
Specialist in CADD and 3D software

17. Basic Elements of Interior Design
For creating anything beautiful some basic elements are
necessary. They are tools in conveying fundamental ideas
in a painting or creating objects which meet material
needs of mankind which include architecture, home
interior, furnishing, handicrafts and in commercial related
arts.
From nature man has pick up a few elements of art as
pattern, line, colour, form, texture and light.

18. Basic Elements of Interior Design
1. Lines
Contribute greatly towards to overall mood in creating
harmony or contrast in space. Hence lines is unifying
factor in home decoration.
Horizontal lines reflect steadiness and tranquility – can
be found in tables, low back chairs, sofas and shelves.
Vertical lines suggests life, activity and dignity which
create an illusion of height – can be found in draperies
and doorways.
Diagonal Lines reflects movements and forces that gives
the feeling of sophistication and refinement to a room-
can be found in in staircases and fabrics.
Curved Lines seems gracious and flexible – found in
tied-back curtains and in the legs and corners of
furniture.

19. Basic Elements of Interior Design
2. Forms
Refers to as area, space, mass or shape. Its closely
related to lines, as with its create certain effects in the
overall design of a room. Forms help in creating a line of
unity in a room for example long rectangular table or
sofa. But too many varieties in form create chaos in
interior decorations.

20. Basic Elements of Interior Design
3. Texture
Texture is the surface characteristics of objects. It refers
to the roughness, smoothness, shine or dullness,
softness or stiffness. Rough texture absorbs more light
while smooth surface reflects light.
Texture refers to wall finishes, floor finishes, fabrics and
furnitures.

21. Basic Elements of Interior Design
4. Pattern
Pattern is an additional surface enrichment which
contributes liveliness and interest to a room.
Naturalistic motif – flowers, fruits, animals or scenery
Geometrical motif – based on circles, rectangular and
triangle. Also includes stripes, dots, checks and plaids.
Stylized Motif – do not like natural objects but to create
certain effects. Suggested for fabrics and decorative
articles.

22. Basic Elements of Interior Design
5. Colour
Colour is the most important element as it produces
favorable psychological and aesthetic effects. The
transform darkness into light, dullness into brightness,
gloominess into cheerfulness and drabness into beauty.
They are used to create illusions of peace, luxury,
warmth or coolness.

23. Basic Elements of Interior Design
6. Light
Light is very closely related to both colour and texture.
In fact colour has no existence without light. A variety of
moods and effects may be obtained by the clever use
light and shade. However, beautiful and artistic an
object may be but without light nothing could be
recognised.
In furnishings, light can be used to bring rhythm and
continuity, linking them together at various point of
emphasis.

24. STYLES IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Different styles and approaches in interior design will
determine different feel and characteristics of a space. Various
styles have been established from classic to modern.

25. Classic Styles
It is refined style, developed, rich in details, which are
found both in the structure of furniture, lighting as well
as in sets, prints. The furniture is the art type, carved or
inlaid details and apply. Decorated with floral elements,
vegetable, various leitmotif or scenes drawn from
legends.

26. Rustic Styles
Style structure is a crude, rough details, structure elements of
furniture/lighting can be in tree trunks, logs, branches, jute.
Style is found in mountain vacation homes and rural.

27. Classic Reinterpreted Styles
It is refined style, elegant, where classic forms details are
found in a new approach. The forms preserves the structure of
old forms or parts in general updating them. Some elements of
a furniture style combined with modern elements, creating
that fusion between old and new.

28. Retro Styles
It is style of ‘50s, ‘60s or ‘70s which in that period it is
anticipated design pieces to come. The designs have playful
approaches, funny structure, their form and the play of colours
and prints with geometric shapes, lines, plaid or printed with
illustrations belonging to the Pop Art style.

29. Asian Interior Design Style Styles
Asian Interior Design Styles have its own significant character
and rare attractiveness mostly found in Asian countries.
Malay interior style – less furniture, open concept for interior
space, decorations made from raw materials and Arabic
calligraphy.
Balinese interior Style – intricate details of decorations and
furniture, decorate with statue represents gods.

30. Asian Interior Design Style
Chinese Interior Styles- lavish furniture and decorations with
marbles, porcelain and Chinese calligraphy.
Japanese Interior Style – more relaxed and minimalist
decorations. Famous with flexibility which allows space to be
multifunctional. Application of Zen and Tatami ( sizing follows
ratio 1:2) concept which respect to nature by using natural
material and natural colour.

31. Malays Interior Style Balinese Interior Style
Chinese Interior Style Japanese Interior Style

32. Country English Style
Originated from rural area with elegant furniture style that
influences from English. Furniture finishes are nice, bright
colours-white, pastel and forms taking over traditional
furniture but not abundant decorations. Surfaces are painted
or sometimes have a slight patina.

33. Contemporary Style
Modern style but maintain the straight lines through furniture
design. Colours used are balanced and warm, bright tones and
pastels. Finishes with solid wood door frame and panels
upholstered with leather and textile used are mostly velvet.

34. Minimalist Style
This style is a form of extreme accuracy, nothing is too much
without heavy background. Emphasis on simplicity, the
colours may be dull or bright. Pattern is geometric shape and
roun but the surfaces are clean, no scenery, no details and this
style illustrates the simplified forms.

35. High Tech Style
This style is an innovative modern style, the emphasis being
on furniture structure where every detail of combination is not
random and it is part of that structure. Screws, rivets, wheels
and bulbs are specific to this style. The finishes used are often
of metal, glass and plastic.