Asian Interior Design Symposium: Indonesia

Speaker

• HDII held a Think Tank in May 2010 during World Interiors Day, and spent the whole day away from the city.

• The Think Tank consisted of people from different disciplines who are well noted in society including interior designers (who comprised the majority), architects, graphic designers, branding consultants, lighting designers, photographer, painter, engineer and students of interior design

• We believe that the ideal voices are those who have yet to be heard, who do not have preconceived idea of what the discipline is or must become.

• Our discussion covered all aspects outlined by IFI, but in this presentation we highlight relevance because the range is too wide.

• By the end of our discussion, there was applause and we were very happy because even though we were discussing interior design, we found topics that related to everyone. We did not just talk about interior design, but design itself. It was a very interesting discussion.

• Part of our discussion concerned the way technology helps with the design process but at the same time takes away something from it, like skills.

• We are talking about computer assisted drawings and software like 3D-max that makes it easier for us to work but takes away the skills

• We remember when we were studying we has to learn how to make lines with ink on paper, and it was hard. Now it is copy and paste, and it is easy to fix mistakes.

• Now we have more time to process the design, and with one or two months’ learning we can come up with presentations that can blow the client’s mind

• The design process in the past was given to those who had the privilege of travelling: going to different places to observe their designs was the source of inspiration. It was a privilege to have this information.

• Now this privilege is no longer required. Now we have books, magazines and the Internet. You don’t have to travel anymore.

• The design process is shortened and the research is easier. One’s source of inspiration comes with clicking on the Internet.

• What is important now is the ethics of design process: you have to respect other people’s works. Our educators have to teach the ethics of design

• One time we were at a seminar for legal software campaign. One person who is a technician was teaching us how to do 3D modeling with this new software. He was not an interior designer, but with the software he could create a mind-blowing animation of an interior space.

• This led us to question the sustainability of our profession. One just needs a 3 month course on computer skills and a little bit of design process, then anyone can become an interior designer. We call these people instant designers

• The design process requires training and experience, and these cannot be learnt instantly.

• Creative minds are borderless. Those who are trained to process creativity and vision can cross borders of design disciplines. The creative mind knows no limit, as it is free.

• For example, DaVinci is a painter and inventor. Another example is Philippe Stark, who can cross borders and has become a brand. Stark can design everything from yachts, buildings and juicers.

• The global financial crisis has created a new paradigm in the way we work. Design profession needs to be financially aware to be sustainable. You have to make sure your project is profitable to the client. The business has to work, not just look good.

• What makes you distinctive from other people? It is self branding and the ability to cross borders.

• For example, the Majestic Hotel in Singapore showcases multi-disciplinary cross-border practice.

• The rooms are done by up-and-coming artists in the fields of interior, graphic, fashion design and film production.

• Another company that showcases cross border design with car design, bicycle, speedboat and helicopter—this is the Mercedes Benz, whose slogan is “Collaboration to better life and better business”

• Towards the end it is always business, so perhaps not only should science come into interior design, but also business

• A good example of sustainable business is Apple, with ongoing research and innovation, which when combined with innovative design builds a strong brand and a good business.

• Our lives are heavily influenced by the planet we live in; we had talked one world, one planet. One day we may also talk about one unity in design profession.

• Tomorrow’s education will not only sharpen the creative mind and the skills to process this, but to be sustainable they need to be aware of self branding, to be business-aware, and to collaborate between design departments—be they fashion, graphic and product design. This is the future paradigm of design.

• This will help make interior design more sustainable into the future.