Resources Multiculturalism in Interior Design

Multiculturalism seeks to understand the dynamics of power within society in relation to the issues of race, socio-economic class, gender, language, culture, sexual orientation, and disability (Kincheloe & Steinberg, 1997).  The term multiculturalism is frequently used to allude to one or more categories of diversity that includes race, socio-economic class, gender, language, culture, sexual orientation, and disability. "A critical multiculturalism concerns itself with issues of justice and social change and their relation to the pedagogical" (Kincheloe & Steinberg, 1997, p. 27). However, the categories of diversity are intertwined and "can be understood only in relation to one another" (Kincheloe & Steinberg, 1997, p. 32).  For example, an individual with a disability may also come from a lower socio-economic background. The intersection of ability and socio-economic class, in this case, would create additional limitations for the individual. True critical multiculturalism "embraces a social vision that moves beyond the particular concerns of specific social groups.[and] emphasizes difference within unity" (Kincheloe & Steinberg, 1997, p. 33).

THE ROLE OF MULTICULTURALISM IN INTERIOR DESIGN

The role of multiculturalism in interior design is multifaceted. Not only is there an under-representation of ethnic diversity in the field of interior design, interior designers must take into consideration the effects that diversity places on the manner in which interior environments are designed. The world is a diverse place and the world of interior design should reflect that diversity. 

The under-representation of ethnic diversity in the field of interior design is a puzzling phenomenon. There are many speculations of why the lack of diversity exists. Regardless of the reasons, there is a great deal of focus from professionals, organizations, and universities to promote the profession to diverse groups and remove any and/or all barriers that may exist. Perhaps the biggest obstacle for interest of individuals from diverse backgrounds in interior design is the lack of general public knowledge of the profession itself.

Beyond the diversity of the interior designers themselves, is the diversity of the clients, clientele, and users of the designed spaces. It is important for all interior designers to appreciate the diversity of the people for which they will be designing environments and understand how to properly address those differences. For example, the design solution for a commercial facility can change dramatically simply based on the location of the facility. The design of a restaurant with a particular criteria located in a downtown Asian community would be very different from a restaurant with the same or similar criteria located in a particular suburban neighborhood of the same metropolitan area. Similarly, the same restaurant would differ vastly had it been located in New Orleans, Louisiana, as opposed to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

There are a multitude of possible reasons for the lack of diversity in the interior design industry. Just as there are a multitude of scenarios to demonstrate the possible affects of diversity in clients, clientele, and users of the designed space. But, there is no one right reason for the lack of diversity in interior designers, no one right solution to each scenario to demonstrate the possible affects of diversity in clients, clientele, and users of the designed space, and, most importantly, there is no one right solution to any design problem.

Additional Information:

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS-BUT FOR WHOM?,  By: Riss, Suzanne, Black Enterprise, 00064165, Feb1994, Vol. 24, Issue 7

Homes of Color Magazine

REFERENCES

Kincheloe, J. L., & Steinberg, S. R. (1997). Changing Multiculturalism . Buckingham: Open University Press.