October 5-7, 2023
Hosted by Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA

Call for abstracts: The deadline is now closed. Thank you for your interest. IDEC HQ will contact those who submitted abstracts shortly.

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MAKING INTERIORS

What does it mean to make interiors today? Historically, the relationship between materials and fabrication was intimately tied to place. Today, advancements in technology have radically changed production, fabrication, and manufacturing, as well as the notion of locale. Building information modeling has provided a means for collaborative and data-driven design. And virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse promise unlimited potential for the design of spaces of virtual interactions. At the same time, the need for making (and re-making) the socio-economic sphere has never been greater, with advocates calling for a more representative profession that serves a diverse set of clients in a more equitable manner.

The conference will be held at the Wentworth Institute of Technology on October 5-7, 2023. Wentworth’s location in the Fenway neighborhood of central Boston provides a fantastic setting for a gathering of scholars and design professionals to discuss current issues of Interior Design education and Interior Design discipline.

The conference invites individuals (scholars, industry partners, and graduate students) to submit abstracts that contribute to the body of knowledge of interior design and interior design education. Scholarship topics may be based on pedagogy, history and theory, design practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, case studies and may represent either or both qualitative and quantitative research. Presentations reflecting innovative teaching approaches or methods, and professional/creative work related to interior design are also welcome. Abstract presentations may be in the form of a presentation or panel and may be completed by one or multiple authors.

While abstracts are welcome on all topics related to the field of interior design, this conference encourages submissions that support ideas that address the conference theme.

Deadline: The deadline for the 2023 Regional Conference is now closed.

Submission Ethics: Scholarship submissions must be the original work of the author or authors. Existing precedent work by the author and others that directly influenced the Scholarship should be acknowledged in the submission. Scholarships previously published or presented must be significantly built upon for consideration. Submissions found in violation of this policy will be disqualified from review. For questions, please contact: Cotter Christian at cotter@newschool.edu

Abstracts: Prepare an abstract of no more than 500 words (do not include title and references in word count) for either a presentation in the category of Scholarship of Design Research (SODR), Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Panel (P), or Poster (PST), or CS Creative Scholarship, and Open Track.

Suggested content for submission is listed below:

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (new)
  • History & Theory
  • Technology
  • Globalism & Multiculturalism
  • Pedagogy
  • Practice
  • Social & Environmental Impact
  • Open Track

DO NOT include title, author names(s), or school affiliations(s) within the body of the abstract.

Presentations Category:

Presentations provide a forum for the formal presentation of scholarly work. Presentations are typically 20- 25 minutes in length, followed by 5-10 minutes of discussion for a total time of approximately 30 minutes. This category is best suited for a Scholarship that has reached a minimum standard of preliminary conclusions and implications that can be shared with the audience.

Scholarship of Design Research (SoDR:) abstracts explores the interior design discipline’s theoretical, historical, or practical aspects in practice and education. Scholarship of Design Research abstracts should identify the question or theory being explored, the framework of exploration, and conclusions drawn from the examination. It is expected that the Scholarship presented will have reached preliminary conclusions and implications that can be shared with the audience. Note that Undergraduate work is restricted from submitting under this category.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): abstracts emphasize teaching methods used in interior design courses. SoTL abstracts should identify the problem being addressed, the method or strategy used to address the problem, and an analysis of the outcomes (e.g., student work or learning). It is expected that the Scholarship presented will have reached preliminary conclusions or implications that can be shared with the audience. SoTL submissions must include an Appendix of up to five pages or images. This appendix should include supplemental materials, which may consist of (but is not limited to) project outlines, project statements, and examples of student outcomes if available. Note that Undergraduate work is restricted from submitting under this category.

Creative Scholarship (CS): Creative Scholarship must be original work of the designer(s)/artist(s). Interior Design educators or graduate students must have completed all projects within the last three years. Individuals whose work is accepted will be assigned a presentation time to share their work, relate their process, conceptual and theoretical thinking, and discuss the creation of their work with the conference attendees. All submissions must include an Appendix of up to five pages or images. Note that Undergraduate work is restricted from submitting under this category.

Panel (P): A 30–45-minute discussion panel with three or more panel members focused on the conference theme. Panel presentations encourage open discussion and opinions. A moderator will submit the abstract proposal and invite three to five presenters to participate. (No names of any participants should appear in the abstract). The topic should be one that would benefit from diverse opinions and open discussion. Panel presentations are 55 minutes in length. Typically, panelists make their presentations in the first 35 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of discussion with the audience. Note that Undergraduate work is restricted from submitting under this category.

Poster (PST): Poster abstracts provide a forum for presenting material suitable to a graphic format or work that has not yet reached final conclusions. Posters will be presented in a shared setting, allowing the presenter to speak one on one with attendees. Note that this category is open for all submissions.

Abstracts submitted in this category must include a description of/or information concerning the proposed graphic presentation (medium, format, etc.). The poster must be 36″ H X 42″ W. Posters will be presented in an open forum at a designated time(s) during the conference. At least one presenter must be present during the designated time slot. Therefore, only one poster submission per person will be accepted.  Please note that any abstract submitted in the poster category (except Undergraduate Student Posters), regardless of SOTL, SODR, or Creative Scholarship, must have an appendix.

Formatting: Do not use format commands

References: Must conform to the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or The Chicago Manual of Style. You are limited to only five references. 

Appendix: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) abstracts must include project outline/statement or student handouts—please remove author name(s) and affiliation(s). These materials will be submitted as

a single PDF file. Supplemental materials that reinforce the content of a SODR abstract may be submitted. A maximum of six

images/graphs/tables and alike can be submitted as a single PDF file.

Image File Format: All images (portrait or landscape) should be 3.25″ wide, maximum height of 4.5″. Graphs or tables cannot exceed a maximum of 6.75″ wide and 4.5″ high and should be submitted as

grayscale. Image quality: You are responsible for the quality of your published images. Please include only those illustrations necessary for a complete understanding of the submission.

Abstract Online Submission Requirements:

All regional conference abstracts will be uploaded to the IDEC website to complete the review process quickly and efficiently. In addition, IDEC will be working with IDCEC to obtain CEU credits for the presentations. The following requirements will help formulate your submission for this online process.

  1. Contact Author Information
  2. Abbreviated Bibliography: Providing a brief biographical overview of the contact author (100 words maximum) – this is required for CEU credits to be obtained through IDCEC and offered during the regional
  3. Presentation Format: Presentation, Panel, Poster
  4. Presentation Category: Scholarship of Design Research (SoDR), Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Panel (P) or Poster (PS), Creative Scholarship (CS).
  5. Primary Content Area: (Select one) History and Theory, Sustainability, Teaching and Pedagogy, Design Practice and Process, Technology, Globalism, and Multi-Culturalism
  6. Title of Abstract: Do not include author(s) name(s) or school affiliation
  7. Abstract: 500-word (maximum); Paste the abstract text into space provided in the submission The system will not accept any abstract exceeding 500 words.
  8. References: Paste up to five text references in the space provided in the submission Submission must have at least one reference.
  9. Appendix: (required for SOTL and CR abstracts) submitted as a single PDF file indicated in the submission
  10. Listing of authors as you would like printed in the proceedings
  11. Is the lead author a student? Students who are not members of IDEC must submit a PDF to include a signed statement on the school’s letterhead verifying the student’s status to the IDEC
  12. Summary of Abstract: Provide a 25-word summary of the abstract

Deadline: The deadline for the 2023 Regional Conference is now closed.

Presentation format:

  • Accepted SoTL, SoDR & CR presentations are limited to 20 minutes, with 10 minutes following for topic WiFi may not be available at the presentation location.
  • Accepted Posters (Author must be present with their posters on display) will be presented with an opportunity for discussion during a scheduled poster session. Consider the legibility of the poster from a six-foot distance. Note
  • Accepted Panel discussions are 55 minutes in length

Fees

Payment by credit card only. Payments by credit card will be made online through the online submission system. Submission fees are non-refundable.

  • IDEC members: First two submissions free, $40 for third submission
  • Non-members: $40.00 for each submission
  • Non-Member Graduate Students**: $15.00 for each submission

** Each Graduate Student submission must include a statement on the school’s letterhead to verify status, signed by an Interior Design faculty or a representative of the program. This should be added to your abstract submission form in the appropriate field.