16 Interior Design Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. years. This makes such projects more affordable over time. An added economic advantage of such projects is that clients use these renovations to enhance their business images in the community. Global Value Presented as the creative industry of the twenty-fi rst century, many perceive design as having a serious advantage over other industries for increasing the global economy. As developing nations struggle to compete with such traditional industries as manufacturing, creative industries—such as design—are becoming the new knowledge economy. The basis of a knowledge economy is on investing in such intangible assets as leadership, management, and human skills—such as the ability to design. Gary Becker, a Nobel Laurette, indicated that ideas drive the economy. The transformation of IBM is an example of Becker’s point. After selling its computer manufacturing divisions to China, IBM now licenses ideas and sells services. According to the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) President’s Update in 2011, design is perceived as a skill needed to creatively address such world problems as expanding employment, stimulating urban regrowth, and improving quality of life. The value of interior design is globally needed, yet universally misunderstood. Its perceived value varies in different parts of the world as illustrated by its growth in individual countries. ■ In Africa, the profession of interior design is just beginning to receive recognition, and therefore holds minimal value at this time. ■ In Europe, interior design is more often referred to as interior architecture and has a long-standing reputation and value. ■ In China, interior design is a celebrated profession that is highly valued. Design is under the control of the local and national Chinese government rather than individuals. In the United States, interior designers work in a variety of fi elds such as architecture. According to the American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) State of the Industry Report, among employed designers, about 20 percent work in architectural fi rms. Gensler—a world-renown architecture and planning fi rm—claimed the top spot in a recent Top 250 Architecture Firms list, which ranks U.S. companies based on architectural revenue from the prior year. Gensler’s growth in its $764 million in revenue was directly related to global growth according to Andy Cohen, Gensler’s executive director. Recently, Gensler opened seven offi ces in burgeoning cities such as São Paulo and Bangkok. The global value of interior Designer Profile Christopher D. Martinez—Importance of Interior Design Christopher D. Martinez has practiced design for several years in the Greater New York area at Poggenpohl, a German company specializing in high- end kitchens. Read about Christopher’s view on the importance of interior design. “As an emerging practitioner, I believe that interior design is of great importance primarily because of its ability to transcend what is physically seen. The context in which design exists goes deeper than that of surface level aesthetics, although this is a component. It affects the senses, the mind, and even the spirit. From the very heart is the need to change, impact, and improve. Interior design takes on this role namely by empowering one who enters these spaces peace and affording them opportunities of improved health and welfare.” You can read more about Christopher’s background in Appendix B. Margaret Mosiej, Owner and Principal, Poggenpohl Paramus, LLC