“The world of design is changing at a fast pace with technological advancements, awareness about the environment as well as how people use spaces today,” says Prof. Nischay N Gowda, Head Of Department, UG Studies – Dept of Interior at JD Institute of Fashion Technology. According to him, these are some of the factors that future interior design professionals will need to be prepared for. He talks about how a cutting-edge institute can focus on a holistic approach to learning and equip students with skills that can in turn shape them into game-changers in the field.

Prof. Gowda mentions a more traditional approach to design, zen interiors, retro revival, statement walls as some of the trends to watch out for. But he asserts that while trends evolve and change, design acumen of professionals is what makes them stand out and build long term successful careers. “Interior design evolves with society and reflects how individuals want to feel inside their spaces. But as a design institute one can’t really run with trends. A good Design School can educate students to design interiors that last for 10-20 years,” he states.

For instance, Prof. Gowda draws example from JD School of Design. (Klonopin) The curriculum at JDSD revolves around design philosophies, styles, color pallets, types of furniture, and how they can serve as inspirations to be incorporated in spaces. But Prof. Gowda reveals that one innovation that cannot be overlooked is the impact of emerging technologies. “Augmented reality and Virtual Reality are not just bold ideas but they already have made a powerful impact on building homes of the future. AI is being used for everything, right from measuring room dimensions to creating a floor plan,” he explains.

Using both AR and VR in solving real customer problems in home improvement and visualizing spaces in almost tangible 3D has allowed professionals to design spaces efficiently and quickly; Prof. Gowda highlights some of the ways in which these technologies have had an impact. “Technologies like AI should be used to make students rethink their business models and their strategies. It is really important to understand that education is one of the areas were AI will have a massive impact, and we are already incorporating it in our pedagogies,” he adds.

Bringing real world experiences to the classroom is another crucial aspect of good Design pedagogies. “Sharing industry experience with students is always an inspiring strategy as linking course content with professional practices motivates them. Project-based learning is another excellent idea for integrating open-ended problem-solving, collaboration, and meaningful applications,” he says.

With the world of interior design evolving, Prof. Gowda envisages new roles like lighting designers, home stagers, exhibition designers, 3D modelers and renders, furniture designers etc. for future professionals in the field. He also lists out the skills they need to make their mark in the field. “Attention to detail, problem solving, communication, understanding budgets, and being creative besides project and time management skills. In life, you will be working on several projects at once, so good design schools must create a system that encourages students to stay on top of everything and never miss a deadline,” he concludes.