Computer usage in interior design: professional applications and pedagogical implications

This study surveyed professional members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Institute of Business Designers (IBD), ascertained computer competencies desired for entry-level employment by interior design graduates, and determined demographic characteristics such as type of practice, computer use, size of firm, etc. This study also compared competencies desired by professional interior designers with the computer competencies re(3uired by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) first professional level degree accredited programs, and surveyed FIDER-accredited programs and determined how interior design students were being instructed in computer applications.

Questionnaires were mailed to 640 ASID and 160 IBD randomly selected professional members. The instrument contained (questions concerning size of firm, type of practice, educational background, computer applications, and attitudes toward the use of the computer in the future of the interior design industry. A separate questionnaire containing cjuestions concerning pedagogical methods, media, and requirements was mailed to representatives of the 73 first professional level degree programs accredited by FIDER.