Development of Interior Design Career Information for Dissemination to Students in Grades Six through Eight

Issue The profession of interior design is not well represented in the K–12 grade levels. There is a need to foster a greater awareness of interior design as a possible career during the years when exploration of potential career paths are encouraged and investigated. Goal The goal of this project was to develop a method for educating sixth–through eighth– grade students, potential interior designers, and the future general public, about the role an interior designer plays in the built environment. The focus was on residential design, one career path available as an interior design professional. Application A pictorial storybook illustrates the design process and construction of a private residence for sixth–through eighth–grade students to use while investigating careers concerning the built environment. Description A storybook was developed on the computer and transferred to compact disk (CD) for dissemination by career counselors and media specialists to sixth– through eighth–grade students. Over 35 careers in the building and construction industry, including interior design, were highlighted in the design and construction of a private residence. Conclusion Often, the interior design profession is not well represented or accurately portrayed for K–12 audiences. Elementary and secondary education students are the future consumers in society, the clients in higher education, and the future educators and leaders of the profession. Interested interior design educators and practitioners can provide materials for use in the K–12 communities.