Trends in CAD education in interior design programs

Abstract

This research investigated Computer Aided Design (CAD) education in the interior design. program focusing on educators' opinions about creativity aspects including computer application, teaching materials and teaching methods as well as other trends in CAD education. A questionnaire was sent to one hundred eighty-two members of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC).

A frequency distribution was used on 69 usable returned surveys to describe the sample characteristics and to determine the teaching materials and support. Means and T-tests were employed to examine if a significant difference of opinions toward CAD integration existed between designers based on creativity, teaching materials, and teaching approaches.

Findings indicate that educators are thinking positively regarding the creativity aspects of teaching CAD. There was no significant difference between IBM educators and Apple Macintosh educators in terms of opinions concerning creativity and teaching approaches and also no significant difference in the educators who are using more flexible teaching approaches and the educators who are using more rigid teaching approaches in terms of creativity. Educators thought CAD courses are most helpful for students' future careers. Educators remarked that their college, department, and other faculties are generally very supportive. Overall the educators had fewer than 4 years of experience in teaching CAD. One or two CAD educators were teaching in each interior design program. IBM personal computer, AutoCAD software, instructor prepared tutorials were the most used teaching materials.