Throughout the course of the semester, this class has taught me a great deal. What is most intriguing is that not all of the learning took place in a classroom. My classmates and I had many wonderful opportunities to learn from the real world and the experiences of others. I found every topic covered throughout this class to be extremely relevant and useful. For this reason, it was much easier to learn and grasp the information knowing it was very applicable to the profession of interior design.
We began the semester learning about various fabrics and fibers. Before this course, I never imagined there could be so many different types of fabrics to choose from. I gained important knowledge about what fabrics are appropriate for different applications. A suede chair in a college student union building would be inappropriate because of the wear on it and the lack of maintenance. Synthetic leather would be a more durable choice. I also learned that in commercial interiors, the fire ratings of the fabrics must be taken into consideration. If these fire ratings are not met the interior will not be up to code and cannot pass inspection.
Flooring was an especially interesting topic we covered in this class. We were even fortunate enough to visit a local flooring store in Lubbock where we learned about a variety of flooring. Flooring is an incredibly important choice in any space. It can affect the travel of sound, the aesthetic appeal, and the maintenance. When choosing the correct flooring, it is important to take into consideration that each type of flooring has pros and cons and flooring is offered in a very wide price range. A bamboo floor would not be a proper choice for a home in Lubbock, Texas because it comes from a very humid environment. Lubbock tends to be very dry and the bamboo floor would not hold up well in this climate. This is an example of the consideration that flooring should be given in any application.
We also learned about the elements and principles of design. While the elements and principles were mentioned in a previous class, I learned in this class that they do not only pertain to our actual design choices but also the presentation of our design. From the floor plan to the sample board, the elements and principles must be used to create a successful design. Without them, the design seems unorganized and clumsy, and with not appeal to a client.
My personal favorite topic covered in this class was stone and countertops. In this case, we were able to visit a very successful business that specialized in tile and stone. In class however, we learned that quartz is the most durable choice for a countertop, with granite coming in a close second. Materials like stainless steel are used on countertops in more commercial settings like the kitchens in restaurants and hospitals. There are many economical choices to choose from as well, such as man-made surfaces and laminates. The field trip we were able to attend provided another dimension to our education of tile and stone. We were able to actually see and touch the different types of materials and the process it took to transform from a slab to an everyday countertop.
There were many topics covered throughout this course, but these were among the most interesting and applicable. Field trips supplemented almost every topic and served as a fun and exciting way to learn outside the classroom. The knowledge gained throughout this course will continue to play a big role in each remaining interior design class I will take and in the professional world. This course has been both a rewarding and pleasant experience and I look forward to using the information in my future design work.
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