The Catalog to Creativity: A Beginner’s Guide to Interior Design
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Letter from the Editor Hello aspiring designers, Over many years of experience in the interior design đ&#x;ŒŽ, I have learned the đ&#x;”‘ to tapping into one’s creativity is to think outside the đ&#x;“Ś & đ&#x;šŽ all the rules out the window. Often times we create mental đ&#x;”’đ&#x;”’đ&#x;”’ that can hinder our overall design đ&#x;‘€,  đ&#x;Œˆ scheme & placement. In order to break these đ&#x;”“đ&#x;”“đ&#x;”“, we must get “whacked on the side of the headâ€? or rearrange our routine patterns. This đ&#x;“– will allow each of you to startđ&#x;’Ąmore creatively, designing more đ&#x;’ and creating a space that represents đ&#x;‘†. đ&#x;˜Š designing, Andrew Â
The Right Answer
In design there are no right answers. Often times the second answer is better than the first, which can help solve any design dilemma. Don’t worry about trying to figure out the right placement or layout, because there isn’t one. Just have fun & don’t be afraid to try different things!
Gallery Wall Exercise Six layouts are shown below. Circle the “right” one.
B.
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A.
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E.
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That’s Not Logical
During the creative process, designers will experience two types of thinking: soft & hard. For instance, soft thinking is more playful & fun, whereas hard thinking is very cut and dry. It is important for every designer to remember to use soft thinking during the imaginative/planning stage, and hard thinking in the practical/execution phase. This effect can be achieved in design through soft & hard pieces of furniture or decor.
Metaphor Exercise If you could have your dream space, what would it look like? List as many metaphors as you can think of below. My dream space is like…
Follow the Rules
In order to be a successful designer, each of you must be both constructive & destructive. This allows you to break out of your normal routines, and gives you the opportunity to try a different approach. In design school, we are told to follow the rules, but I encourage each of you to throw the rules out the window. Remember: rules are made to be broken—break them!
The Rule of Thirds Exercise
Below is a list of commonly known design rules. Correct the given sentences in order to break the rules. Remember: breaking the rules is OK! • Your dining room chairs must match • Avoid dark rooms • Leave patterns to accent walls • You can’t mix metals • You can’t combine the old with the new • Mixing prints is wrong
Be Practical
When designing, we tend to think about the practicality of our ideas. For example, many of us would not replace a leather sofa for a cushioned porch swing to put in the middle of our living room. The reason being is that when we think practical, we don’t allow our imagination to run wild. When coming up with ideas, don’t think about an objects practicality. Use your initial idea as a stepping stone to something even better.
“What if” Exercise Finish the “what if” phrase under each design. Remember: don’t think practical! Just allow yourself to use your imagination.
What if…
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What if…
What if…
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Play is Frivolous
When designing, it’s important to remain child-like & playful with your designs. Like most adults, we steer ourselves away from the playful thoughts that cross our minds, but I encourage each of you to embrace them. Those playful thoughts can help you unleash ideas that you never would have thought of in your wildest dreams. Embrace the playfulness & have fun with it!
Playful Sketch Exercise
Use the space below to sketch out your next playful design. Remember: The more playful the better!
That’s Not My Area
Since our specialty is in design—we should be experts in our field. As an interior decorator, we should know everything from color theory to AutoCAD. Although specialization in our desired field is crucial, it can often inhibit us from thinking imaginatively. You may even come across the mindset of “that’s not my area.” This mindset paralyzes the artist from looking into ideas from other fields such as cooking, teaching, psychology & drawing. When stuck with a design dilemma, look for ideas in other fields.
Cross Fertilization Exercise
In the spaces provided, explain how you can take ideas from other fields and use them towards your next design project.
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Don’t Be Foolish
Often times when designing, we get caught up in what everyone else is doing. This conformity is also called “groupthink”, which is when designers try to get the approval of other designers rather than coming up with creative, innovative ideas on their own. In a group setting, we tend to reserve ourselves due to fear that our ideas aren’t good enough. To solve this problem, I want you to remember this: play the fool. Playing the fool can help us think of absurd ideas & put things in a new perspective. One way of doing this is by taking old items & repurposing them in a new way!
I’m a Joker Exercise
Take these common furniture pieces & Think of a new nontraditional way to use them. Remember: foolish design is creative design—don’t think about it too seriously. Humor is key! Draw or write here:
Avoid Ambiguity
In life, we try to stay away from ambiguous situations to avoid confusion & misunderstandings, but in design it’s encouraged. Like the other 9 mental locks, this one also limits your creativity. When given free rein, your imagination is able to run wild without the mental lock weighing you down. A few ways you can avoid ambiguity is by thinking of paradoxes, which help stimulate your mind.
Thinking & Dreaming Ambiguously Exercise Draw, sketch or concept a furniture or decorative piece that can hold something—that something is up to you!
Below is a weekly Dream Journal. This will help you track your ambiguous dreams, which can lead to new ideas & unique interpretations. Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:
Saturday:
To Err is Wrong
In both life & design, we get caught up in trying to find the “right” or “correct” answer that we don’t allow any room for error. When we don’t allow ourselves to paint the room a light blue instead of a navy or use an indoor rug in an outdoor setting, this stifles us creatively. Making errors and learning from them can be very beneficial when designing. This usually leads to something new & exciting!
Error Smerrer Exercise
Make a list of errors you’ve made in the past & then write down what you’ve learned from each of them. Remember: you can learn a lot from your past mistakes & use them as a tool to think & design more creatively.
Errors:
What you’ve learned:
I’m Not Creative
When faced with a tough design challenge, designers tend to get frazzled and say to themselves “I can’t do this, I’m not creative.” This type of mindset doesn’t allow any successful designer to use their imagination, take risks & step outside the box they’ve created for themselves. Remember we are all creative in our own way, so don’t sell or design yourself short.
Creative License Exercise
Below is your very own creative license. Cut it out, decorate it, and use it as a reminder that you’re indeed a creative!
Creative License Place photo here
Name:
Occupation: Interior Designer Areas of Expertise:
This ID should only be used as a reminder that you are indeed creative. Valid use in all creative environments.
A Whack on the Other Side of the Head
Although having unique design ideas are crucial, they’re virtually useless if you don’t put them to good use. Don’t wait around to turn that tiny seed of an idea into a reality. When we don’t act on our idea, we aren’t utilizing the four roles of the creative process. In order to be a successful designer, one must be an explorer, an artist, a judge & a warrior. Additionally, we must rise to the occasion & give everything a go in order to reach our goals as a designer. Some ways of getting there is to: • • • • • • • • • •
Put a lion in your heart Get support Get rid of excuses Flex your risk muscle Have something at stake Be dissatisfied Use your shield Sell, sell, sell Set a deadline Be persistent
Now that you have all the tools necessary to craft a beautifully designed interior, it’s time to go create! If you get stuck, use the tools & exercises in the book as a guide. I’m positive that it will free you of any design dilemma!
-Andrew Zickmund