12 Interior Design Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. displays of pattern, color, and form express personalized statements. If designed accurately, these spaces refl ect the preferences, styles, values, personalities, and behaviors of the users—a type of design thumbprint. The conscious and deliberate design of interior spaces to meet people’s needs and desires indicates their worth as individuals. It also indicates their perceived value to society. Meeting Human Needs There are many psychological, physical, and sociological human needs that the design of interior spaces should accommodate. Some of these include territoriality, privacy, the need for nature, and the desire for well-designed spaces. As designers meet these needs, the value of the profession becomes obvious. “ It is the nature of Humankind not only to use spaces, but to fi ll them with beauty and meaning. It is, after all, for Humanity, our ultimate client, that we design.” IFI DFIE Interiors Declaration The Need for Personal Territory and Privacy Quite simply, you witness territoriality—the need to control a fi xed area by laying claim to it—when you see people put their names on books or other personal items. Such markers defi ne territories and communicate ownership. Markers can be as subtle as leaving a book on a chair to reserve a classroom seat. Likewise, personal markers can be very obvious, such as a sign on a piece of land that reads “private property—keep out.” One of the major functions of territorial behavior for humans is acquiring and regulating privacy. Privacy is a process that involves both seeking human interaction and controlling it. People control access to themselves through selective distance or isolation. Cultural background plays a role in regulating privacy. For example, people in Latin or Middle Eastern cultures often require less personal space during a conversation while those from Western cultures may need more personal space for comfort. Making eye contact in some cultures is a sign of honesty while in other cultures it may be a sign of disrespect or rudeness. Privacy is a complex human need involving several other important needs, including survival, physical/psychological health, self-identity, and emotional release. Interior designers address these diverse human needs through multiple ways. These include offering people the ability to personally control their environments (such as changing the thermostat or opening windows) or to be alone with their thoughts. For example, spaces for solitude can be designed both into commercial and residential environments. Awareness of these human needs helps designers create spaces that can assist people in being more productive and feeling less stress. The Need for Nature A paradox exists that humans are a species that build, but then pay thousands of dollars to travel elsewhere, such as a cabin in a remote area, in order to vacation where people are not. Why is it important for many people to be near the security of human contact yet still have an innate desire to spend time outdoors? The most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statistic indicates people spend 90 percent of their lives indoors and only two percent in nature. Many believe that humans suffer from nature deprivation. People have an inherent need for nature. The ways interior designers create environments can help people reconnect with nature. For example, although workers may spend 90 percent of their time indoors, having a view to the outdoors and living green plants indoors helps meet the human need for nature. Creating interiors that support the protection of the environment and preserve natural areas also meet human needs and add value to the profession, Figure 1-5. The Need for Good Design The human need for good design often has low priority in people’s lives, especially if it requires money they do not have. Humans are very good at adapting to situations and dilemmas—it is part of their survival instinct. People, however, yearn for and delight in well- designed spaces, objects, signage, food, fashion, and cars. If you think of a tool that works well, you may envision one that is ergonomically sensitive to your needs. Some examples include a well-designed toothbrush, keyboard, or chair. If you think of spaces that you want designed well, you may think of desired changes for your kitchen or workplace.