The Conclusion

“If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?” The constant debate of what is considered an art and what is considered a science can go on with many beliefs and laws. Interior design can influence emotions and feelings, which is subjective. Yet, finite laws can create these atmospheres. Both are essential in creating your home. Tried and trued techniques can help your home flourish with style; however, tailoring it to what makes you happy can also be vital.

Science Conclusion

It is proven that design is more than just objective in certain aspects. Physics and mathematics play a significant role in our interpretation. Aesthetically speaking, we tend to admire and seek designs with a 1:1.6 ratio and symmetry. This is why most art and painting do not put the focal point truly in the center. You can incorporate this method by visually splitting your room using the golden ratio. Symmetry is essential to aesthetics, but visually, we tend to respond best to 1:1.6 ratio. Off center your bed from a wall, add décor using this technique, even hang art on your walls, can all be used in designing your space.

Art Conclusion

Color can have psychological effects. Using red may make your room feel bolder, applying yellow may add a sense of creativity, while blue can feel calming. The feelings colors give to your room make a perception. Your perception is creating the art. Apply décor and design in your atmosphere that means something important to you. This tactic will keep an artistic, individual spin on your design.

Blend ‘Em

Art and science, or objective versus subjective, can both help your interior design. Use elements proved to enhance your room while giving your own artistic flair to the space. This is the best way to facilitate both elements and get the greatest reward.

What do you think is more effective in interior design? Copying design and replicating schemes is an effective tactic, yet individuality is equally as important. Do not be set on the numbers and guidelines as much as the experience. Your home should make you happy!

The Art Debate

Is interior design subjective or objective? Is it truly a science which is calculated into figuring exact functionality, mobility, and interest in the room? Or is it more of an art, where some design is subjective to the matter of influence. We explored simple ways that believe beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder. Humans have calculated tendencies on what appeases us, such as designs following the golden ratio. However, there is no way interior design cannot be subjective, right? Let us take a look at what interior design truly is.

De-sign /də’ zīn/

• A plan produced to show the look and function/working of building prior to being built or made.
• An arrangement to create a functioning, detailed form, pattern, or decoration

Art

Art is subjective and is influenced by personal opinion. With that being noted, it is quite easy to see that design would be subjective as well. If not, we would all love Rustic Design or Contemporary Design. While certain elements may appease to the masses, it does not create a finite line of one way is the only way.

The Color Spectrum

If you look at art at different times in your life, your perception of it may change. However, if you take away all subjective and perceptive elements, you are left with the universal laws of colors and fundamental angles and lines. This complex matrix is open for interpretation; however, you still have the rules of the basic color spectrum at play. Primary plus primary will create secondaries, as is shown below:

Colors are absolutes and follow an exact science to replicate. Likewise, lines and shading can also be calculated. This means that every artwork or interior design is, in fact, a science; however, it is not because it is open to interpretation.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

We have all heard the expression, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Kant, a philosopher, referred to this expression as the antinomy of taste. He then created an essay giving guidelines to what a true critic must be capable of assessing. Throughout the objective and subjective debate, we notice that subjective matters depend on the existence of properties of objective matters, like colors, lines, and shades. This would then go to prove that through features of furniture arrangements, color schematics, and lighting all can be objective and finite; the combination can create a feeling. This can set a mood. Thus, it must be an art!

While the reality of interior design can find roots in proven tactics, not every person has the same taste. We are all unique and find different interest. What creates aesthetics to you may be different than to your friend. Interior design can create an ambiance or an emotion in the atmosphere. What one may be inspired as relaxing, someone else may find overwhelming. So, truly, it can only mean that interior design is an art, right? Well, check out “Is Interior Design an Art or a Science Part Three” to find out the answer!

The Science Debate

Interior design is an art and a science. It is finding a homogenous blend of ideas, functionality, design, and beauty to create the atmosphere in a room. We continuously thrive to create this concept in our own homes. Balance, harmony, emphasis, proportion, scale, all have equal roles to play in creating a room’s aesthetics. However, what is aesthetics? Is it just a mere set of principles and concepts? Artists believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet scientists are more systematic with structures, equations, and practical evidence justifying beliefs. With two very opposite views, is aesthetic truly just an art? Or is there still a science that can genuinely be equated to mastering this look?

Aes-thet-ics /es’THediks/

• A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art.
• Branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of beauty and artistic taste.

Science

We all thrive to achieve better aesthetics. The principles of symmetry are commonly associated with an aesthetic looking person or figure. Cars, homes, and art all use different approaches to make something more visually appealing. Yet, where does the science lay? Are aesthetics utterly opinionated for interior design, or can we find proof in nature? While we cannot explore all objective properties of design, we can look at one in particular.

The Fibonacci Sequence

Leonardo Pisano, also known by Fibonacci, was a medieval Italian mathematician. He studied and theorized numeric equations. Famously known for introducing the decimal system and replacing the Roman numeral system with the Hindu-Arabic system, Fibonacci was a renowned scholar. He created the Fibonacci Sequence, which goes as follows:

By taking the sum of the equation and adding it to the last number of the equation, you begin to create a sequence. This sequence goes on infinitely; however, it begins to create a consistent ratio! This ratio of 1:1.6 continues to repeat itself forever. Confused yet? Stay with us.

Golden Ratio

If you create a box, using the golden ratio, and continue to break that box down using the golden ratio, you form a spiral. This spiral of the 1:16 ratio is seen everywhere in life. All plants have seeds and pedals corresponding with the golden ratio. All hurricanes spin in the sequence of a 1:1.6 ratio. Seashells, growth baby fetus, alignment of the planets, the helix of our DNA, and much more all follow this sequence and spiral. With this ratio so common in nature, it is known to affect our perspective of art directly. Ancient artist like Michael Angelo and Leonard DaVinci always used this ratio in their arts. From canvas sizes to focal points, the golden ratio has proven to make artwork more notable. This ratio truly made artwork feel more aesthetic and appealing.

Study the Golden Ratio and learn how to facilitate it. Every trick in your arsenal will make you a better designer. Art is flexible, and science is law. Though certain elements can directly affect an interpretation, does that mean interior design is a science? Not quite, take a look at the other side of the debate in our “Is Interior Design an Art or a Science Part 2” series.