Towards a new, filtered interior : arriving at a typology of interior perspective rendering and its impact on thinking, practice, and policy of interior design

Abstract

The interior perspective rendering is the final act of representation an interior designer undertakes before actual construction commences. By way of this image used by designers to convey possible outcomes, this research looks into what futures can be had for the interior design profession given the privileging of the visual in this age of social media. This study examines how the interior perspective rendering produced by professional interior designers that were considered 'effective' by way of their recognition by peers in the industry can be assessed using a strictly Formal visual analysis — informed by the art-historical tradition of Formalism of Clive Bell (1881–1964). As an approach inspired by the continued popularity of social media, in particular, the photo-sharing app Instagram, these renderings were used in an online survey that directs its respondents to define what specific elements and principles of design make these 'effective' as a representation of the ideal interior. Guided by the central question of this research: How does one arrive at a typology of interior perspective rendering that can be useful to #interiordesigners and non-specialist general public alike in the visually dominated space of social media — specifically Instagram? the survey targeted individuals broadly categorised into two — those with a design background and non-specialist general public. The data from this survey were then analysed in order to arrive at an equitable typology of interior perspective renderings that can provide a common language useful to many — interior designers and the non-specialist general public — as humanity continues to witness the projection of these images on the virtual world of the internet. In highlighting the importance of the interior perspective rendering by way of this typology, this study aims at ensuring the continued flourishing of a profession that with its very physical, tangible quality is challenged by the inescapable reality of virtuality.