OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to ascertain from the leaders of interior design practitioner organizations their perceptions regarding the purpose, need, and role of research and the types and sources of research used in practice. RESEARCH DESIGN: Using a modified DELPHI technique, two successive surveys were designed and sent to leaders in the Unified Voice Task Force. The first survey solicited responses from all participating organizations on the task force. The second survey, which was generated from responses to the first survey, obtained perceptions regarding research from leaders in only the design practitioner organizations. ANALYSIS: Cross‐tabular presentation of the data was used in the analysis. Statistical significance was determined using chi‐square where possible. For tables with too few observations per cell, the Fisher Exact Test was used to determine statistical significance. KEY FINDINGS: Analysis of the data reveals that there is dichotomy of language within the profession. Practitioners' perceptions of research are multifaceted and pragmatic in nature. The findings indicated that practitioners have a preference for “soft” types and sources of information in their design problem‐solving process. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of attention to developing a body of knowledge from within is threatening the existence of interior design as a separate and distinct profession. Interior design educators, practitioners, and industry representatives need to hold discussions to address the language differences that exist as well as the purpose, need, and role of research.

1SSUEUnlike the other visual arts, the interior design profession has not developed a body of criticism that analyzes and evaluates design work in the field within a contextual framework. GOALDeveloping this body of criticism will demonstrate the value of interior design. Both external and internal perceptions of the profession will be positively influenced, creating a culture of reverence. CONCLUSIONSA body of design criticism that is available to the public and the profession will explain the meaning and structure of the interior environment, enhancing the experiential qualities of the visitor or user and resulting in greater societal appreciation of the value of interior design. Likewise, a body of criticism, which has a more scholarly or theoretical foundation, will strengthen the profession from within. Since aesthetics emerged in the eighteenth century as a philosophic field of inquiry and knowledge and art criticism opened the world of art to the public, the influence of art imageryon society has increased. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the expansion of technologies of imugery has caused a communication revolution that has increased its influence even further.. . .Art criticism has become the storytelling aspect of art and aesthetics and transfom 0 Copyright 1997, Interior Design Educators Counci l , Journalof Interior Design 23(1): 4-10 JOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN 4 CRITICISM DICKSON AND WHITE JOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN Volume 23 Number 1 1997 5Somebody's g o t t o know that and much, much more to design and deliver effective, serviceable, affordable, beautiful, satisfying, and delightful interior environments. And we, my fellow denizens of the inner sanctum, know who that somebody ain't, don't we? But they don't

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the Polsky Forum was to initiate a dialogue between the three constituency groups in the profession (industry, practice, and education) for the exploration of critical issues related to interior design research and graduate education. The specific objectives of the forum were (1) to formulate a vision for the profession for the year 2010; (2) to recommend a research agenda based on the vision; and (3) to develop strategies for implementing the agenda. FORUM DESIGN: Nominations were sought for participants to address the issues in a forum setting. From over 85 applicants, 15 individuals representing the three constituency groups were selected. Before the forum, participants were given reading materials and brainstorming questions that constituted a framework for initiating discussions regarding research and graduate education. Small group and whole group discussion sessions were employed to facilitate communication. FORUM RESULTS: Discussions initiated die breakdown of communication barriers between the three constituency groups. Consensus was reached regarding a view for the future of the interior design profession. Research and graduate education were considered means by which the profession can document its value to society, empower its members, and ensure long‐term sustainability. The outcomes of the weekend are presented here in the form of a position paper to stimulate further discussion. CONCLUSION: Without graduate education and a strong, ever–expanding knowledge base, interior design may cease to exist as a separate and distinct profession.

Ph.D.This study was designed to determine who is receiving public recogni-Whiteside Dickson, tionfor interior design work published in a major design periodical and to speculate on thefiture of the profession and implications for interior design education based on an analysis of the M.S. University of Kentucky., Lexington, Kentucky findings. A matrix was developed to document the biographical data published for the featured designers, including gender, education, professional aflliations, location offirm, and type and location of work published. The biographies of 959 individual designers were analyzedfrom 1980 through 1990. The findings reveal that, despite the development of professionalism during the past 25 years, fewer individuals with degrees in interior design are being published than those educated in allied disciplines. The relationship of these findings to graduate education and research is discussed.Foreign (Outside North America) Pratt Institute

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the perceptions of leaders of interior design practitioner organizations regarding the purpose, need, and importance of graduate education. RESEARCH DESIGN: Two surveys were conducted using a modified DELPHI technique. Responses from the first survey were used to generate questions for the second survey. Targeted respondents included the top two tiers of leadership of the member organizations of the Unified Voice Task Force. ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed using cross‐tabular presentation with chi‐square or the Fisher Exact Test used to determine statistical significance. KEY FINDINGS: Although practitioners recognize that graduate education can develop an area of practice specialization and result in scholarship that expands the body of knowledge, there appears to be confusion regarding the purpose, need, and importance of graduate education to interior design. The practitioners indicated that specialization could be achieved through continuing education, and they appear to view the development of the body of knowledge from an insular position as opposed to broadening the intellectual foundation of the profession. CONCLUSIONS: Increased collaboration among industry, practice, and education is needed to rectify the problems that presently exist with graduate education in the field of interior design.