Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 1 Introduction The study of interior design is exhilarating! It is a fi eld fi lled with creative excite- ment, innovative beauty, and dynamic design! As a profession, it is never static or predictable primarily because the focus is on PEOPLE! ■ Interior spaces can move us in profound ways. Interior spaces can fi ll us with awe and wonder, enchant us by their delicacy and beauty, or overwhelm us with their magnifi cence and magnitude. Beyond their aesthetic and practical functions, beyond their sense of place, spaces have the potential to address our deepest human needs. ■ We do not just inhabit interior spaces we interact with them. Interior spaces, in turn, impact us. The ways design impacts the health and well- being of occupants, as well as the environment, is more important today than ever before. ■ According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we spend 93 percent of our time indoors. This statistic includes the time we spend in our homes, schools, a favorite restaurant, or a doctor’s offi ce. Therefore, this textbook introduces us to the study of both public (commercial) and private (residential) interior spaces. ■ Interior design is a study of culture. Interiors are a refl ection of the people who inhabit them. While linguistics is the science of spoken languages, there are many unspoken languages in various cultures. These include the visual cues and profound messages contained in and communicated through interior places. The study and analysis of the messages visible, but not necessarily heard, in immediate environments will be part of what is covered in this textbook. ■ Interior design is a business. Therefore, basic procedures, contracts, professional standards, ethics, and business models will be studied. ■ Interior design is an essential partner in the construction industry. As a fi eld of study, it is sometimes called “interior architecture.” Therefore, technologies such as Revit, CAD, and industry standards are discussed as part of the profession. ■ Interior design is a science and an art. Interior design is meaningful and purpose ful. ■ Interior design is about YOU! Interior design involves the ways you live, work, and play within the spaces you inhabit. Join us in the study of interior design! It will change your understanding of people, place, and life. Stephanie A. Clemons