Interior design is not an easily definable entity, in spite of having an established definition. The actual practice is broad-covering a myriad of people, services, clients and scopes. The fact that dialogue about design education is occurring, however, is at least a positive step in beginning to serve the student and the profession in the future. We can only continue to evolve and improve what is ever changing. If we were to ask an architect about a philosophical base, we would get some interesting answers.
Interior design is a profession.
It is a business, and it also is an art in the same sense that good architecture is an art. In addition to this art is the business of getting it produced. Beyond providing a safe environment, we also should be worried about providing a beautiful, comforting environment, supportive to the idea of nurturing people. The importance of this creation of beauty has all but been shoved under the rug. The idea that space can support the opportunity to be safe, inspired or inspiring has been lost.