Course

Module 1: Introduction to Design Research
Understanding research in design, why designers need research; types of design research: exploratory, descriptive, experimental and applied; qualitative vs. quantitative approaches; literature review; framing research problems; defining scope, research objectives and research questions; ethics in research and intellectual property

Module 2: Research Methods for Interior Design
Contextual inquiry & ethnographic studies: observation, interviews, focus groups; user-centered research: understanding human behaviour, needs and experiences in interiors; visual research: photo documentation, drawing, mapping and pattern analysis; surveys & questionnaires: designing effective instruments for user data; case studies: documenting and analysing existing projects

Module 3: Data Collection & Analysis
Qualitative analysis: coding, categorization, narrative analysis; quantitative analysis: basic statistics, coding survey data, interpreting results; basic tools for analysis; translating research data into design insights; structuring findings for communication: diagrams, infographics, storyboards

Module 4: Research to Design Translation
From research insights to design concept development; evidence-based design: using research to support spatial decisions; writing a research report: structure, citations and visual presentation; preparing a research proposal for the thesis: objectives, methodology, deliverables

Course Objectives

• To develop an understanding of the role and relevance of research in interior design as a foundation for evidence-based and user-centered design solutions.
•  To gain exposure to qualitative and quantitative research methods for exploring spatial, cultural, behavioural and functional aspects of interiors.
•  To acquire skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation to generate insights that inform design strategies.
•  To learn to translate research into design proposals, articulating findings effectively through structured reports, visuals and presentations in preparation for design thesis.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

CO1 : Identify and frame research problems relevant to interior design.

CO2 :- Apply appropriate research methods to gather qualitative and quantitative data.

CO3 : Analyze and synthesize research data into actionable insights for design.

CO4 : Develop a structured research proposal as a precursor to the design thesis.

Reading Material
1. Groat, L., & Wang, D. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley & Sons.
2. Zeisel, J. (2006). Inquiry by Design: Environment/Behavior/Neuroscience in Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and Planning. W. W. Norton & Company.
3. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
4. Kumar, R. (2019). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Sage Publications.