--By Rashika Pokharel
Interior designing is all about using imagination and technical knowledge within a certain space to make it look beautiful and more useful. It helps to change the appearance of one’s dwelling by making it more attractive.
Interior designing is the procedure of shaping certain space on the basis of knowledge available. It is not just embellishment of the interior space but it also includes portion of ecology, architecture and product design. It includes design and coordination of various decorative elements such as structural space, color combination or contrasting, lighting, fittings, furnishing, and other architectural aspects.
Nepali houses have always famous for its unique architecture since the ancient days. The traditional Nepali arts and architectures are famous for its distinctiveness since the very beginning with its dominant Hindu and Buddhist religion philosophy which are replicated by various kind of painting images, sculpture of deities, temples, monasteries,
old squares and other monuments. Similarly, the newari architecture has also been significant. Previously, the concept of interior designing was only confined to ancient monuments and sculptures
However, in the present time Interior designing as a profession has been changing in Nepal. People have become more aware of the design, layout and positioning their interiors whether it is for offices, factories and houses.
Interior designing has been attracting many people. As new apartments, magnificent houses, corporate houses, showrooms are increasing in numbers, people are becoming keen to design their homes according to their desire. The corporate houses especially hire interior designers to design their offices. Similarly, the rapid construction of houses has constrained space in home designing. As such, the demand for interior designers is high because they not only decorate houses but also utilize available space in the best possible manner
History of Interior design
The need for interior designing was rare in the past few decades where the concept of home designing was confined to the high class people such as kings or rulers. Earlier, the concept of interior could only be seen when Rana palaces included antiques brought from the West. Similarly, Malla period was also categorized as a period that was rich in designs as the palaces included astonishing craftsmanship. These works were not regarded as interior designing but were the expression of owners wish.
However, at present the concept of interior design has transformed. Earlier the designs were built on the basis of owners will irrespective of whether it fitted into particular framework or not.
Nevertheless, the profession of interior designing is flourishing within the past few years and taking a whole new leap. Nowadays, various factors such as space, owner’s affordability are also considered as an important factor for interior designing.
Recent Trend in Interior designing
Along with time, people’s choices have change. These days there is a growing demand of modern and sophisticated designs. Earlier, Indian design were more popular among people. However, now people are demanding more simple, unique and elegant designs. The demand for carved furniture and wooden furniture is diminishing as these are more expensive and require more manpower. People are opting for fusion as they are merging different furniture into one. The cabinets, wardrobe and showcases are merged into one in order to utilize space appropriately. Likewise, offices have started to do divide the spaces by using aluminum doors. Blinds are more in style than the traditional curtains as they give more official look. Nepali houses are being decorated with traditional Nepali handicrafts like Thanka, paintings, statues, various sculptures, utensils and so on in order to give more authentic and traditional look.
There is a myth prevailing in the Nepali society that interior designing is targeted only for high class. However, the recent popularity of interior designing proves this to be wrong. “Interior designing is targeted for every class”, says, Milan shrestha, Teacher at LIAD (Lakhotia Institute of Art and Design). “The price range starts from ) 0.2-0.3 million and depends upon the material being used”.
Interior designing jobs in Nepal
The interior designing has a very good prospect and is generating jobs opportunities for many people. Many interior designers can pursue their career as CAD (Computer-Aided Designs) Designers, interior designers, designer consultant, furniture designers, lighting designers, commercial interior designers and residential interior designers.
Interior designing courses in Nepal
Few years ago, interior design was not valued much and was stereotyped. However, in the recent times, people’s perception over this fact has changed as number of institutes are opening quickly which offer interior designing courses.
The scope of for interior designing is growing rapidly. There are varieties of courses offered where students can learn and pursue their career as an interior designer. There are colleges like LIAD and IEC (Indian Education Centre) College of Art and Fashion which are considered to be the pioneers to introduce interior designing course in Nepal. There are ranges of course depending upon student’s choice. “We offer short-term which is for three months. Similarly, we also offer diploma course which is up to six months,” says Shrestha.
Similarly, IEC offers Bachelors degree in Interior Design which is divided into six semesters. “Previously the number of students in the field of Interior Designing was minimal but now the scenario has changed. The number of students pursuing interior designing is increasing”, states Shailaja Adhikary, Managing Director of IEC College. The students who have passed plus two or equivalent can pursue the course.
The Prospect
The future of interior designing is good as people have gained much more knowledge in the field of designing. Interior designing has become necessity and people have started utilizing small as well as big spaces.
