Page 62 - enLIGHTenment Magazine - December 2015

Sweet ’16

urbanization:
 As more people move back into
the cities, access to necessities and amenities will

become more important. In conjunction with the
growing interest in health and well-being, urban

designers are creating neighborhoods that are
walkable for increased physical activity. There are

494 cities around the world with populations of 1

million or more. Urban areas are becoming denser
due to the new generation of workers valuing

proximity as a means to nd work life balance.
Interior designers must nd creative ways to make

the most of limited spaces.

resiliency: In this fast-paced and constantly changing world, resiliency 
is becoming a fundamental necessity for survival. For design, that means

incorporating holistic thinking in order to solve bigger challenges, not
just the immediate ones. Examples of spaces that are being designed

under this resiliency sub-trend include domestic violence shelters, youth

centers, and disaster relief housing. Additionally, homes that can’t adapt
to aging tenants can’t be considered resilient.

Most interior designers surveyed by ASID believe that these identi-
ed trends will increase in 2016. Most designers expect there will be

increased use of social media for advertising business (91 percent) and

increased customer engagement (91 percent). More designers (though
still fewer than half) are reporting an expected increase in average fee

per square foot (45 percent compared to 30 percent in 2014). Even
though only 37 percent of surveyed designers expect the number of

mid-size rms to grow over the next year, it’s still more than they ex-

pected last year (10 percent).

globalization: With international travel be-

coming more common – along with the technology

that supports communication when abroad – the
world is more interconnected than ever. Design is

no longer limited to a single location or culture; it
transcends boundaries. U.S. interior design rms

are nding growth opportunities abroad. Whether

it’s designing for U.S. businesses that are expand-
ing overseas, or foreign companies seeking out

U.S. design talent, business abroad is up. This
sub-trend is about a growing sensitivity among

designers for how our design perspective – while

still our own – is inextricably linked to a broader Overall, the consensus is that the practice and business of interior de-
cultural framework. Although great design tran- sign is quickly changing for the be er. There is more demand for interior

scends borders, there are still cultural distinctions design services than there has been for the past six years, and billings,
among our clients that must be considered.
inquiries, jobs, and speci ed products are all rising.


60 enLIGHTenment Magazine | DeceMber 2015
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