Interior Design Films

Last month, attendees at the annual Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) conference, were shown the best films chosen from this year’s Interior Design Education Video Competition. Aiming to change the public perception of the profession, the competition asked students to demonstrate the quality of interior design education and industry standards. This year’s theme:  “How is […]

Last month, attendees at the annual Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) conference, were shown the best films chosen from this year’s Interior Design Education Video Competition. Aiming to change the public perception of the profession, the competition asked students to demonstrate the quality of interior design education and industry standards. This year’s theme:  “How is the public’s health, safety and welfare protection enhanced by the skills of fully prepared health care interior design practitioners.”

The winning video, “Interior Design and Health Care,” was submitted by Louisiana State University students Colette DeJean, Leigh Hardy, Ryan Weilenman, Sarah Tull, and Alyse Lambert, with the guidance of faculty advisor, Danielle Johnson. It builds a strong business case for the process of design and its impact on health care. The description of the seven-stage design process is a logical progression, which would make sense to health care practitioners and administrators, as well as practicing designers. It is an excellent promotion for the value of design, and its impact on the customer, including patients and staff. As I watched the film, I kept wishing that design firms would make similar presentations to their potential clientele across all market segments. As the students have discovered, it’s a great, shorthand tool, to communicate visual messages.

The second place video, “The Role of Accredited Health Care Interior Designer,” was produced by Ahmed Alawadhi from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Alawadhi’s is an emotional approach, focusing on the dread and bad experiences that often go with health care environments. It moves from the negative to a positive message, promoting an inspirational invitation to get involved and be part of a solution. I liked its appeal to make a difference, the main reason most of us practice interior design. The question, “Do you want to help?”, speaks to our basic motivation.


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The third place video, “Health Care Interior Design Education,” builds the credibility of health care interior designers, with the simple message that their education, experience, and examination has prepared them well. It was submitted by Radford University students Michelle Cleverdon, Laura Payne, Ashleigh Wilson, Kendra Travis and Katie Childress, under faculty advisor Holly Cline. It stresses the value of qualified interior design professionals and their contribution to humanize the health care industry. I like the way it speaks to the peace of mind that can come from hiring qualified interior designers.

These films made me proud to be part of a great and caring profession. The students’ excellent efforts confirmed, for me, that the new generation of interior designers will be making an enormous contribution to our health, safety, and wellbeing.

More than 25 entries were submitted and judged by representatives from IDEC, the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

 Georgy Olivieri, MBA, LEED AP, is director of architecture and design strategies for Kimball Office.

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