1 minute read
Reflection
Taking Introduction to Spatial Design this trimester has helped evolve my understanding of interior design, aiding in differentiating between decoration and design and clarifying that interior design is about solving a problem not solely creating an aesthetic. With this new understanding, I struggled with the assessments this trimester. My decision to become an interior designer was based around creating personalised spaces where people can feel safe being themselves and exploring their individuality, this is an aesthetic undertaking. The problem solving aspect of spatial design, in all honesty, hurt my head a little bit. Having to think speculatively was not a skill I’ve had to use before and I found it very difficult to be open minded and create a floor-plan and joinery pieces that could be utilised by 4 people, while also allowing them to have privacy. While I’m happy with the work my partner and I did, I can’t help but feel like we failed in creating an innovative design.
As someone that lives on campus at Griffith Nathan, I understand first hand how to live with people I don’t know and use communal spaces, such as the bathroom, kitchen and living space. With this perspective in mind, speculative design was difficult as the main objective of our design was functionality and privacy. After the lecture on interiority, I became more comfortable with our design. I realised that with our understanding that the apartment will be for students, there will always be new occupants, and creating a personalised space for 4 people wasn’t, in reality, a functional idea. The space we created is neutral and usable for all people, grounding our design in reality.
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This course has helped open my mind to our national and global living crises, it will also push me to reflect on how a design can be innovative and affect human behaviour. While designing speculatively was not a success in my opinion, I want to work on that skill over the rest of my degree and career and combine that with my innate desire to create practical and personal spaces.
