Interior Design Influence

A Study on the Influence of Interior Design Television Shows on the Youth’s Selection of Interior Design as a Profession

Interiors make up the modern world. Many people hire interior designers to design their houses, offices or stores- to be able to keep up with the trends. The different types of media, most notably the internet and television, are these people’s sources of trends. Lifestyle networks, for instance HGTV, ABC, Style, and FYI broadcast show the focus on interior design. Popular interior design programs, for example, are Property Brothers, Clean House, and Extreme Makeovers. Shows like Modern Living TV, Interior Motives, and Design Para sa Lahat are aired in the Philippines. These shows have been in the media since the early 1990's.

The goal of the design process is to “surprise” the client.

Myth #2. Quality and speed are synonymous.

Myth #3. Anyone can be an Interior Designer.

Myth #4. Good design is trendy and cool.

Myth #5. Designing your space will be super expensive or super cheap.

Myth #6. Interior designers are zany, flamboyant airheads” (qtd. in Purnell 26-27)

She then questions the interior design shows based on myth number 3, “who is the designer and what are their credentials?” (Purnell 27). She quotes Deborah Philips when she expresses, “TV designers are not celebrated for skills and training, but for their ability to achieve a look with easily accessible and affordable products” (qtd. in Purnell 27). These authors have shown that teenagers tend to choose a career based on what they watch on television. However, the studies are set internationally and lacks research in the Philippine

House vs. House is a show on FYI Network where amateur and experienced designers team up and compete with other designers. Each team must come up with a design where they focus on DIY projects. Another show on the same network, Rowhouse Showdown, where three teams battle it out to transform rundown , dilapitated houses in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Taking on the rundown houses in a distressed neighborhood, the teams will renovate one home each – while also living together – in a bid to raise the property value of the community surrounding them” (FYI Network Website).

In the Philippines, Lifestyle Network dominates the genre. Created by ABS-CBN Corporation, Lifestyle features shows that focus on interiors, cooking, gardening, travel, and beauty. Shows like ‘Interior Motives’, ‘Green Living’, and ‘Feng Shui Living’ are part of the interior design segment.

These kinds of shows gives you a glimpse on how the designing career works, but just like what Dennis Laker mentioned, these shows do not necessarily portray the reality (qtd. in Tucciarone 173). However, these kinds of shows can influence teenagers to pursue interior design as a profession. Following Waxman and Clemons’ trail of thought, this research will be set it the Philippines to learn what features of these shows captured the student’s interest to pursue interior