History Of Interior Design Research Articles

Cultural History as a Thematic Study: Analyzing Advertisements to Interpret American Home Design

The traditional approach to teaching the history of interior design is through study of the decorative arts and architecture. This confines design to artifacts of high culture and visual discourse. We are interested in expanding the history of interior design beyond appearances and artifact to include the social and cultural forces that shape the design process. We offer an interdisciplinary approach for the study of design history. In particular, we present links between marketing and design. Studying design history through marketing and consumer culture provides valuable insight into design that is not available through the decorative arts and architecture. Advertising has played a central role in shaping the American home aesthetic. By examining advertisements as cultural artifacts, we come to a new understanding about design and its history.

Object • Context • Design: The State of Interior Design History, An Introduction to the Thematic Issue

Object • Context • Design: The State of Interior Design History, An Introduction to the Thematic Issue