IDEC Communities

Our Knowledge Network is dedicated to fostering discussions and collaboration among educators involved in 2–3-year interior design programs. These programs, designed to offer a comprehensive education in a condensed timeframe, present unique challenges and opportunities. We aim to be a dynamic space for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and collectively finding innovative solutions.

Accessibility in the built environment means more than complying with the requirements of the ADA ( Americans with Disabilities Act). It means providing the best possible interior environment for the most number of people. If we design to the greatest need, everyone benefits. This group will explore a range of accessibility and perceptual issues that affect the body in interior space from mobility to visual and hearing impairment to neurodiversity. We will also explore methods of inclusion and allyship to give all users agency over the spaces in which they live, work and play.

The Thinking Makers is a vibrant collective of educators and practitioners dedicated to advancing creative scholarship through the fusion of art, design, and experimental making. Rooted in the principles of design thinking and hands-on exploration, this group embraces the freedom to experiment, innovate, and reimagine the possibilities within interior architecture and design.

Focusing on interdisciplinary, innovative, and imaginative research and practice, The Thinking Makers thrives at the intersection of creative disciplines. It encourages fearless experimentation with materials, techniques, and ideas, blending artistic expression with functional design to craft unique, boundary-pushing objects and environments.

With a commitment to original, process-driven inquiry, the group celebrates experimental methodologies and creative scholarship that challenge traditional conventions and foster new perspectives. It provides a platform for educators and practitioners to collaborate, share insights, and develop knowledge that reflects the dynamic relationship between art, design, and making.

By nurturing a culture of curiosity and exploration, The Thinking Makers aims to redefine creative scholarship and inspire the next generation of designers, artists, and thinkers. It is a space where artistic vision meets experimental design, and where ideas are transformed into meaningful, innovative realities.

The Gerontology Knowledge Network aims to create a collaboration of individuals who are interested in advancing teaching, scholarship, and engagement related to environments and aging.

The History network is devoted to sharing teaching practices, studying, discourse, and dissemination of interiors history and theory scholarship.

The K-12 Network stemmed from a crucial need to enhance diversity within the field of interior design. Its main objective is to educate young individuals about the profession, clarify misconceptions surrounding the industry, and foster greater diversity in higher education interior design programs and therefore the profession itself.

The Lighting network provides a forum for discussion of course content, innovative teaching ideas and research for lighting instruction. Topics may encompass textbooks, resources, workshops, websites, and scholarship/competitions. This group will foster collaborative conversations about integrating new technologies, lighting related software and other contemporary lighting design themes.

The Program Leadership community supports new, continuing, and future leaders as they work to lead their academic programs. The group meets monthly to discuss emergent topics in higher education. Once or twice a year, the group organizes more in-depth opportuniteis for program leaders to learn more about leadership in the academic setting.

The residential design knowledge network provides an energetic fun filled forum for the discussion of all things residential. Included are both theoretical and practical considerations regarding emerging housing types, tiny homes, emerging residential communities, multi-generational housing, even emergency shelters. We also delve into product updates regarding innovative residential products. Monthly meetings provide a place for interested design educators, practitioners and students to share whatever awesome new thing is inspiring them. Monthly queries are conducted to determine the topic of interest for upcoming virtual meetings.