The principles of interior design provide some fundamental guidelines for designers to draw upon. These do sound like rules, however some rules are meant to be broken… thoughtfully. A great interior designer considers and implements the elements and principles of design, and then goes beyond to break the rules to create excitement, interest and surprise. If you missed our previous series on the elements of design (line, colour, texture & pattern, light, and scale & proportion), or our first three principle of design posts (balance, rhythm and emphasis) you can look back to catch up.

Variety How-To

We love how simply Geremia incorporated variety in this space for Asana by changing the angle of paint applied to the chairs.

Variety is the spice of life. Can you imagine living in a world where everything was the same colour or every person had the same personality? Boring! In everything we do and everywhere we go, variety makes things interesting and exciting. Variety in interior design can come as a unique shape or form, a contrasting colour, or as varying patterns or textures; the use of it adds diversity to our commercial interiors. Variety can be achieved by using opposites or strong contrasts, changing an angle or a point of view, or by breaking a repeating pattern to create a focal point.

Variety When & Why

We incorporate variety in our interior spaces to mix things up. The danger of not implementing some type of variety are dull, stagnant interiors that provide little to no stimulation or focus. It can be used to draw attention to a help desk, aid in wayfinding or add interest to a large open work area.

fischerAppelt’s Hamburg office exhibits variety by placing this pattern rich seating area amongst a sea of monolithic tile and concrete structure.

While variety is an important principle of interior design, it should go hand-in-hand with harmony and unity so that the result is a space that doesn’t look thrown together. Check back in a couple of weeks to learn more about harmony and unity, and how to use it in conjunction with variety to create dynamic interiors that strengthen your brand.

» Does your commercial interior need an update? We can help. Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

The post PRINCIPLES OF INTERIOR DESIGN PART 4: VARIETY appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

If you read our blog you know that we have already touched on all the elements of design (line, colour, texture & pattern, light, and scale & proportion) as well as two of the principals of design (balance and rhythm). This week we’re moving on to emphasis, probably one of the most well-used design principals.

Two of the questions we always ask our clients during the programming phase include: 1) What do you want to highlight in your space, and 2) What do you want to hide in your space? These questions form a foundation for our interior designers to create and/or distract focus from an area. Typically in commercial interior design we find our clients are most interested in highlighting their products, signage or customer service counters, whereas in residential projects design elements such as a fireplace, artwork, the staircase, high ceilings, or large windows with views tend to be the focal point.

It’s pretty obvious that Pinkeye Crossover Design Studio wanted the yellow desk to be the focal point in their design for Oz Flagship, but they also applied texture to create a screen partition with secondary emphasis.

A focal point or even two emphasized areas can really help to create drama and interest in a space all while creating an everlasting first impression. Because we focus on commercial interior design here at Hatch (and these first impressions are always so important for the success of a business), it is essential that we ensure a client’s product and brand message are dominant in our projects and we do this in a number of ways.

Emphasis via Placement

The way you place your intended focal point within a space is one very important consideration. For example, in a linear room such as a hallway the wall space at the very end of the hall or a feature area in the centre would have the most impact. If you read our last blog post and intend to create rhythm by repeating elements in your design, you could create a focal point by interrupting that regularity right down the centre to bring attention to the “one-thing-that’s-not-like-the-others”.

The most commonly used way to create focus is to use colour just like Wingardh Architects did in this law office design for Vinge. That staircase sure pops with that deep teal hue.

Emphasis via Elements of Design

Since you are now so well-versed in all the elements of design, why not use one or two of them to create emphasis? Colour and light are two really easy ways to do this. Use a contrasting or bright hue along with some spot lighting to make sure your important item gets the attention it deserves. You can also introduce a new texture, smaller scale items, or direction using lines around your focal point to really make it stand out.

We think you’re getting the picture here, basically work towards creating noticeable contrast around your focal point and it will shine within your retail shop, office, spa, or restaurant design. There are few more elements of design coming up in our future posts, don’t forget to check back soon.

» Have a commercial project? We can help. Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

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Our last blog post introduced the principles of design with a focus on balance. This post will focus on another principle of interior design, rhythm.

Rhythm can be thought of as a pattern in movement. You can hear it in varied sounds to create music or in the steady drip of a faucet. It can also be seen; think about lines in the sidewalk and how your footsteps relate to the regular breaks. Rhythm can be seen and heard throughout nature and in our built environment through repetition, alternation and progression. These three methods of achieving rhythm can be applied to interior spaces as a way to introduce order, interest and focus, and to help lead your eye through a room.

Repetition

Repetition is the simplest way to attain rhythm and can be achieved by repeating any of the elements of design (line, colour, texture and pattern, light, and scale and proportion) or other design concepts in an organized and regular way.

The repeating wood slats on the wall of this pizza shop by Baynes & Co Designers creates a playful rhythm and draws your eye through the space.

Alternation

Alternation is used to create rhythm by alternating two or more elements in a regular pattern. The pattern may be ABCABC or ABBABB, but always repeating in the same order.

This restaurant by Soma Architects displays both repetitive rhythm, in the booths and chairs, as well as alternation which can be seen in the pendant lights that hang in groupings with an ABAAAABA rhythm.

Progression

Rhythm can also be achieved through progression. Examples are a gradation of colour or a series of objects that start small and become large in a very regular manner.

The Barajas Airport by Richard Rogers and Estudio Lamela is an excellent example of rhythm achieved through repetition and progression of colour.

In interior design, rhythm is all about repetition of design elements that help to create movement within a space. Rhythm may be applied in bold statements that make an obvious suggestion about a path of travel, or more subtly applied to move your eye about a space without you even realizing the rhythm is there.

» Want to work with a company that specializes in commercial interior design? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

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Principles of interior design are achieved through the application of the elements of design. Unsure of what the elements of design are? We’ve got you covered; check out our previous blog series in which we provided an introduction to line, colour, texture and pattern, light, and scale and proportion. As interior designers we have become quite adept in applying both the elements and principles of design to our commercial projects to create interesting spaces that help to reinforce your brand and corporate message.

There are many principles of design, but this first post in our series will focus on balance. Everyone understands the importance of balance. One lesson that we learn quite quickly from a very young age is that without balance things tend to go sideways. Whether it be learning how to ride your bike, stacking wooden blocks or knowing when to take a break from work to enjoy some leisure time, balance is a constant in our lives. So, how does balance translate into interior design?

You wouldn’t guess that the above photo of Microsoft’s new office, designed by Studio O+A, is balanced, but it is. This is because it’s balanced in an asymmetrical way using variety in the visual weight of objects. Feels a bit informal and that’s probably exactly what the designer was aiming for.

Just as when we are off balance in various aspects of our lives, an unbalanced interior space can be uncomfortable. There are instances when this is the desired effect, but for the majority of spaces one goal is visual balance. This is achieved by distributing the visual weight of objects within a space to achieve a feeling of equilibrium. The size, color, texture, shape of an element can change its visual weight. For example, larger, darker, brighter, highly textured, complexly shaped objects typically feel heavier and require balance through the placement equally “heavy” items or multiple less heavy items. Balance can also be achieved in three ways: symmetrically, asymmetrically and radially.

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetrical balance is achieved when items are actually repeated or mirrored along a central axis. This type of balance is frequently seen in nature, our own bodies included. Symmetry is common in interior design and can portray a feeling of stability, calmness and dignity; however, can also be seen as static, dull and unimaginative. Symmetry can be achieved through the use of pattern, arrangement of furniture, fixtures and millwork, and through the application of colour.

A great example of symmetrical design, Lah! by Ilmiodesign mirrors the banquettes back-to-back to create order in a space that has a random, eclectic feel.

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance relates very strongly to the visual weight of objects. Rather than repeating the same item within a space to achieve balance, in this case we are using different elements with a similar perceived weight to achieve balance on the opposing axis. As stated above, complex shapes often feel heavier and for that reason are commonly used to achieve asymmetrical balance. Asymmetrical interiors tend to feel more dynamic and less rigid because in these spaces a variety of objects types are working together to create balance. This form of balance can be more difficult to achieve it often requires an “eye for design”.

Radial Balance

Just as it sounds radial balance is almost circular – distributed arrangement of items around a central point either extending outward or inward. Common examples of radial balance translated to the interior environment include chairs centered around a table, the structure of a circular rotunda, or even a circular lighting fixture. If you wish to create focus on a central item, applying radial balance (so that the your attention is directed inward) is a great way to achieve this.

The boardroom designed by BAKOKO Architects in the image above is an excellent example of radial symmetry. Notice how the focus is on the centre of the table? We also get a real sense of vitality, but in a really organized way.

Whether by introducing different textures, colors, forms, or by literally creating symmetry in a space, interior designers often aim to create a feeling of balance. The way we create this balance (asymmetrically, symmetrically, or radially) can have an effect on your client’s perception of your space and, in turn, help them form an impression of your company culture. Make the right first impressions by hiring a registered interior designer to create the interior space that reinforces your company brand. Check back for future posts on the remaining principles of design: rhythm, emphasis, unity, harmony, and variety.

» Want to work with a company that specializes in commercial interior design? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

The post PRINCIPLES OF INTERIOR DESIGN PART 1: BALANCE appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

Sinetica

Sinetica’s booth at the Happy Business to You interior design trade show.

Sinetica is a furniture company with a style that is perfect for the North American market. Sleek, clean and simple design that is a little ahead of the curve when it comes to collaborative working environments.

Sinetica’s ‘TenUp’ furniture line is a great example of contemporary design resonding to the evolution of the workplace. They have a variety of others as well, check out their website for more.

Sinetica also has four demountable partition lines; our favourites being ‘Sky’ and ‘Spark’. Both have very slim, minimal profiles that incorporate wire management in the bottom rails, integration of storage and shelving in the walls and have options for glass or solid panels. The ‘Spark’ line even allows for curved glass walls! One detail that we loved was the subtle placement of the light switch; a small, round button located in the frame and finished to match.

Sinetica’s ‘Spark’ demountable partition line features sleek lines and the ability to incorporate curved glass.

Sinetica’s ‘Spark’ demountable partition line is a gorgeous example of contemporary design for the modern workplace; classy demountable partitions.

Lapalma

Lapalma is another furniture manufacturer that caught our eye. At Happy Business to You they were featuring a new material integrated with some of their standard product lines. The surface material was a concrete and resin mixture that gives the look of concrete, but with a soft touch. This hybrid material was exhibited on a number of their products including the Brio table and the Lem stool; but what we found most stunning was the new surface on their Frame table.

Lapalma’s booth at Happy Business to You. In the foreground is their ‘Frame’ table with a new material they were featuring at the show; a concrete and resin combination that looks like concrete but has a warm and soft feel.

Another item that we found interesting was their AP stool. This stool was introduced to their line a couple of years ago and is formed by molding a single sheet of plywood. It is sculptural and stackable, although not the most comfortable sit; the representative that we spoke to indicated that it is not meant to be a stool that you spend a lot of time on. The AP stool was awarded the Best Chair in the Domestic Category in the 2011 Wallpaper Design Awards.

The ‘AP’ stool by Lapalma is constructed out of a single sheet of plywood.

Il Casone and Metalco

While the products of interest born from a partnership between Il Casone and Metalco are not necessarily interior design related, they are a fresh, simple and innovative. A reinvention of street furniture in beautiful Italian stone, this line includes benches, planters, and bicycle racks all designed to be seamlessly integrated into paving stones for a unified installation.

Il Casone and Metalco showed off their new collection that reinvents the design furniture in public outdoor spaces.

Our time at the Happy Business to You commercial interior design trade show was fantastic; we saw so many more amazing products and made some great connections. It was fascinating (especially coming from a country and province where manufacturing of these types of products is very uncommon) that the majority of these products are designed and manufactured in the Pordenone, Italy region. Reps at the various booths often had the option of zipping anyone who was genuinely interested in their product to their factories and showrooms to give them a more in depth experience. The show was well organized, well designed and had a lot of excellent design to share; what more would you expect from an Italian design show?!

» Have any of these Italian designed and made products caught your eye? We can help you look into these and others like them. Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

The post HAPPY BUSINESS TO YOU appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

For anyone who reads our blog regularly, you have probably noticed that we often remark that interior design can enforce and strengthen your company brand. Since we are currently completing a new office space design for our favorite brand marketing company, Urban Jungle, we thought it was a good time to take a deeper look at this topic. There is a lot of buzz out there about branding, and rightly so, but what exactly does it mean? What are the real effects of establishing a strong brand? And how does interior design tie into this? We will cover all these questions, but first let’s take a look at a case study for branding gone right.

Puma really understood how their brand needed to connect with their interior environment (see image above). Nendo, the designer of this space outlined “For our design, we placed ‘staircases’ that climb around the existing features around the space like vines. But these staircases are not for people to climb. Rather, they function as display stands for PUMA’s sneakers and as a compositional element that gives the space a special character. The resulting effect is a strong reminder that we exercise our bodies daily going up and down stairs, and has a visual connection with stadium stairs and podiums too, to bring in PUMA’s important relationship with sports.” What do you think? Did the subtle connection between the stairs and Puma brand connect with you? We think so.

The Importance of Branding

A company’s brand is what makes them unique and helps them to stand out against the competition. There are many companies that sell computers, but none can compare to Apple when it comes to an effective brand strategy; and that’s an understatement. Apple’s sleek design, simple and minimal material palette, intelligent and attractive packaging, and clean looking website contribute to a popular brand that is known by anyone who hasn’t been living underground for the last ten years.

And it doesn’t stop there. All of these elements also work into another one of Apple’s branding tools; you guessed it, their unmistakable retail stores. Their interior spaces are designed with the same brushed metal and pure white finishes (with some wood to warm things up), the same simple and clean lines, as their products are known for. I’m not sure about you, but if I was placed blindfolded in a Mac store, I’m pretty sure I’d know where I was when I removed the blindfold.

This Apple store by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architecture exemplifies how your commercial interior spaces can communicate and strengthen your brand.

Hire Branding Professionals

Branding your company is a big deal. You want to make sure you are hitting your target market where it counts and making a lasting impression so that you are the obvious choice for whatever goods or services you are offering. And not to worry; just as you are an expert in what your business does, there are experts who know about this branding stuff too. They will ensure the development of your brand is done right. If you are in need of an effective brand strategy that tackles your business from all angles you need to hire a professional, particularly one that specializes in brand marketing.

At Hatch we work closely with Edmonton-based Urban Jungle for all of our branding needs. The UJ team has been an invaluable resource for us. Their creative and personal approach to the workings of our company helped us evaluate who we are and how to portray that through everything that Hatch does. Because we have an awareness of what we want the Hatch brand to be, it is easier for us to apply those goals to all areas of our company. This applies to the way we answer the phone, to the way our project drawings look, and everything in between. And, yes, this also applied to the design of our office space.

100% Chocolate Cafe knew that the interior of their store needed to express their boutique image and sweet product. Japanese firm Wonder-Wall did an awesome job translating this brand into a built form – makes me want chocolate. Yummmm.

Your Brand Translated into Your Commercial Interior

We, of course, took care of our office design. We let our already established, and always evolving, brand inform the concept and final aesthetic of our storefront space. Catchy window graphics emulating our circle pattern, Hatch colours of bright yellow and grey displayed through funky patterns, and super sleek materials mixed with natural elements give people a pretty good idea of who we are before even talking to us or checking out our website.

For our office design we implemented elements from our brand to create a commercial space that is uniquely Hatch Interior Design.

Logos, mission statements and company ideals are only a few of the elements that work into a cohesive brand strategy; all of these should be considered in the design of your workplace. Extending your brand into your interior commercial space helps your clients and customers understand a little about who you are and what makes you unique. As Urban Jungle puts it, “Your brand lives in the real world. When your customers and staff encounter it in their daily lives, your environment affects their thoughts and emotions—which, in turn, influence their behaviour.” Well said.

» Would you like to explore how you can use interior design to enforce and strengthen your brand? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

The post INTERIOR DESIGN TO ENFORCE AND STRENGTHEN YOUR BRAND appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

For our final post in our blog series, we are going to focus on the elements of design, scale and proportion. In commercial Interior Design, the most important objective for a project is to enhance our everyday experiences within the environments we work, live, and play. Although consideration of all the elements of design is necessary to achieve this goal, scale and in turn, proportion have the largest impact on spatial functionality.

The classic Barcelona chair is an icon, but because it’s so low it often appears as though it is not sized appropriately for our modern human scale. In the room pictured above by Design Partners International for Kuper, vertical line has been applied to the ceiling and wall to draw the eye down and add a sense of proportion to the space. Without this consideration for scale and proportion, this room may not be so well balanced simply due to the low horizontal nature of the seating.

Scale

Without consideration of scale, in particular, human scale, our everyday activities would be more difficult. Scale refers to the relationship between two or more objects, one that has a commonly known size. In most cases, the size of objects is compared to our own human scale.

We can find examples of this in our homes and workplaces; for instance, standardized heights have been created for countertops, chairs have been scaled to fit our bodies, the widths of hallways allow for people to comfortably pass one another. You can see that the way we build our environment is based on the commonly known anthropometric data of human scale.

The application of contrasting colour and texture on the ceiling, walls, and floor, as well as the incorporation of low horizontal furniture could lead to this room feeling out of scale; however, DAP Studio masterfully counterbalanced this effect by repeating and lowing the horizontal light fixtures.

Proportion

Proportion is a word often used interchangeably with scale although there is one subtle difference between the two definitions. While the word scale implies the comparison of objects where the actual size of one object is known, proportion relates to the general size of two objects without information regarding their actual sizes (or scales).

While scale is more absolute, proportion is truly relative and requires the interior designer to understand the interactions between objects within a 3 dimensional space. For most designers, it’s a difficult thing to explain when objects in a room are in proportion – this is what we refer to as having “an eye for design”.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to this application of proportion. As it can alter the way our spaces look and feel, getting proportion “right” all depends on the intent of the designer.

Often interior designers will apply proportion in contrasting ways to emphasize a particular area. This design by LemayMichaud Architecture Design is a great example of this; note how the oversized fixtures really call attention to the bar.

In most cases designers aim to achieve proportion within the spaces they design; however, there are times when the design goals call for disproportion. One way to create emphasis in a space is to introduce oversized items in a way that is disproportionate for the space. For instance, large pendant lights over a cash counter or boardroom table could call attention to that area.

Although understanding the ideas behind proportion and scale are important, design requires an awareness of every element and principal (check back for future blog posts about the various principals of design). It must be said that Interior design is complicated; there are so many interactions between all the elements of design and these interactions, as a whole, have an effect on the feel of a space.

Did you miss our post about line? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about colour? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about texture and pattern? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about light? Read about it by clicking here.

» Do you need help with your commercial Interior Design project? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

The post ELEMENTS OF DESIGN PART 5: SCALE AND PROPORTION appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

We have moved!

January 6, 2013 marked the first day that Hatch Interior Design operated out of our new office and we are loving it. The location is terrific, the Cannery Lofts in the cultural district of Kelowna and a storefront space with a ton of exposure.

Our meeting table and workstations. The custom carrels turned out great and effectively provide some separation between our workstations.

We definitely tested our ability to work with a small space for our project; only 350 sq.ft. of office space, and that includes an accessible washroom. For us there were three main concerns to address during the design process: aesthetics, functionality and acoustics.

For anyone who visited our exhibit at IDSwest, or who has seen the pictures we posted, you will notice that some of what we did there influenced or even became a part of what we did here. Just as our mandate for IDS was to brand ourselves, we set out to do it on a somewhat larger scale in our new office. We used our colours in a number of different materials including paint, fabric wrapped panels and task chairs. At Hatch we like to do things a little differently and wanted our space to reflect this.

Our new Zip chairs by All Seating with custom fabric in Hatch colours.

Custom fabric wrapped carrels were designed and built to allow for separation between workstations and to help with acoustics. The boardroom table was custom built using the already reclaimed wood that was existing as wall paneling in the space; yes, that’s right, double reclaimed. While our sign is still to come, the yellow feature wall has been wrapped with chicken wire creatively enforcing our brand. We have introduced the Plumen bulb in the multi-pendant light fixture, we love these bulbs!

Our custom multi-pendant fixture complete with Plumen bulbs. We have a full wall of sample storage neatly hidden behind large sliding glass doors.

There is still a lot to do, but the majority of the project is complete and we are very comfortably (except for the minor technical issue here and there) working in our new commercial space. If you are in the neighbourhood make sure you stop in to say ‘hi!’.

To anyone who has our address on file please change it to:
107-1298 Ellis St.
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 9X6

» Are you interested in uniquely communicating your brand through the interior design of your space? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

The post NEW OFFICE OF HATCH INTERIOR DESIGN appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

In our previous few posts we have discussed line, colour, and texture and pattern; this post focuses on the ever important light as an element of design. Light is essential to any interior space as it is the means by which we can see our surrounding environment. The feeling of a space can be completely transformed by altering the intensity, placement and colour of light which makes it a very powerful tool. And wherever there is light there are shadows; a favourite saying of one of our professors was, “Shadows are free”.

Any interior designer who has tackled a lighting plan in detail understands that this is not a simple task. There are many considerations that must be taken into account to ensure interior spaces are properly lit for functionality, mood and atmosphere, and sustainability. Since light has both psychological and physiological effects on people it is important to get it right.

Functionality

Different types of spaces have different lighting requirements. In office spaces it is important that workers can complete their tasks, often involving reading printed documents or working at a computer. In retail the lighting should be designed to allow the product to shine (pun intended). The two biggest contributors to functionality from a lighting perspective are quantity and quality.

Jerilyn Wright & Associates did a good job creating some task lighting over the tables while providing a decent amount of ambient light down the corridor. This image is also displaying great examples of line and colour; two previously discussed elements of design.

Quantity

Too little and it becomes difficult to perform necessary tasks. Too much and it causes glare. Both scenarios can cause eye discomfort which lead to health issues, both physical and emotial. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety describes good lighting as “providing enough illumination so that people can see printed, handwritten or displayed documents clearly but are not blinded by excessively high light levels (a cause of glare)”.

The three main types of lighting that designers are concerned with are ambient, task and accent.

• Ambient light is the general illumination surrounding the environment or subject. It is indirect and soft, reducing contrast and shadows and is achieved through natural and artificial light sources, as well as reflection from surfaces.
• Task light is that which illuminates a small, specific area. A good example of this is a desk lamp which allows one to add more light to complete a working task.
• Accent light is used to add highlight, drama and focus to interior spaces. This includes directional lighting placed on artwork, or recessed floor lighting to graze the surface of a textured material.

Using these three lighting types correctly and intelligently in a space will ensure that the occupants have the right quantity of light; however this goes hand-in-hand with quality of light.

Quality

This corridor, in the Puro hotel by Blacksheep, uses light as an element of design in way that highlights room entrances and provides a soft, welcoming ambient light. Love how they also incorporated colour and pattern here to emphasize the entry doors.

When it comes to quality of artificial light, designers must consider glare, contrast, uniformity and colour.

• Glare can be either direct, coming straight from a light source, or reflected, shows up on a surface like your computer screen. Neither is good and lighting should be designed to reduce glare.
• Contrast describes a difference in illumination level between two points. We need contrast to distinguish one thing from another, printed words contrast their white background and allow us to read them. Too much contrast can limit our ability to see fine detail and cause eye fatigue.
• Uniformity refers to the overall space, and affects how comfortable one is within the space. Too uniformity is not usually desirable; this can create a bland space without interest and highlight. Have you ever been in a commercial space with fluorescent lighting where some bulbs are warm and some are cool? This makes the space uncomfortable to be in.
• Colour in lighting describes how the colour of a light source affects the colour of surrounding objects. This is a huge topic in the design world with the main factors being colour temperature and colour rendering. For a little more information on these check out our previous post on the subject.

Mood and Atmosphere

Lighting has a dramatic affect on the mood and atmosphere of an interior space; different schemes are used depending on the purpose of the space. Some of the best examples of mood lighting in commercial interior design are restaurants and bars. From brightly lit and loud diners, to romantic candlelit restaurants, to mysteriously dim night clubs, lighting intensity and colour are valuable tools for creating a desired mood. And, of course, a good designer will also use those free shadows to enhance the lighting design.

Light is a powerful tool, and as an element of design it must be carefully planned to suit the space it is illuminating. The inclusion of a couple of different schemes within one space can singlehandedly change the perceived use of a space; think art gallery by day, party venue by night. By designing using dimming control and switching to allow a number of different lighting scenarios a space can become extremely versatile with little else.

Talk about mood lighting! The Shiro in New Dehli goes from dinner to night club with a fantastic lighting design.

Sustainability

Sustainability is another important factor when considering the design of light in a space. Daylight is free and comes without electricity bills attached, and also has many benefits to occupants of an interior space. But daylight cannot be our only source of light, so how do we light up our spaces in an environmentally responsible way?

There are many energy efficient lighting options out there to choose from. These are ever evolving and improving in a response to our more sustainably minded modern society. From fluorescent, to LED, to high pressure sodium; there is a suitable solution for every situation. We feel that it is very important that the functionality of the light source be considered first with the effective means of achieving this following. LED are very popular in today’s market, but by no means are they the right solution to every lighting problem.

The Plumen bulb is a ‘designer low energy light bulb’ that is a great alternative to the spiral CFL bulbs.

There is no doubt that light is a terrifically important element of interior design. Ensure that this is done not only aesthetically, but also scientifically to properly and effectively light your interiors. Correct use can increase employee productivity and reduce number of sick days, help to sell your products, and lure passersby into your restaurant or lounge.

Did you miss our post about line? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about colour? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about texture and pattern? Read about it by clicking here.

» Do you need help with your commercial Interior Design project? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

The post ELEMENTS OF DESIGN PART 4: LIGHT appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.

Before we talk about texture and how it can affect an interior space, let’s quickly debrief on the term “elements of design”. To create visually appealing spaces, interior designers apply various elements of design – line and shape, colour, texture & pattern, proportion, and light. In recent posts we discussed how lines and colour could be applied in commercial interiors to communicate a corporate message through a built environment, today let’s focus on texture and pattern.

Texture

Light is really transformed by the texture of the paper bags in this design by Tacklebox for retailer Owen.

When an interior designer refers to texture they are speaking to the surface quality of a material. Every surface has a texture whether it be smooth or rough, bumpy or flat. Our perception of texture is also influenced by the textures of adjacent surfaces, our viewing distance, as well as the lighting applied. For example, rough surfaces seem more textured next to smooth surfaces, or when viewed up close, and when grazed with light (i.e. lit from the side).

Additionally, texture can be described as either tactile or visual. Tactile texture relates to the actual feeling of a surface – smooth, rough, soft, hard, etc. Visual texture is our perception of what a texture might feel like. In other words, we often make assumptions about the texture of a material based on our memory of touching similar surfaces.

At Hatch Interior Design, we often incorporate texture to enforce the design concept. As discussed, texture helps to differentiate various objects and surfaces, transform light, and influence scale, but it can also communicate a particular design style. For example, typically when you envision a modern interior, glossy materials and minimally textured surfaces come to mind. These types of surfaces communicate a sleek and simple design style that often relates to contemporary interiors.

Pattern

See how this colourful pattern really adds interest to this boardroom designed by Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture and Design?

Although pattern can help to add texture to a space it has a very different definition. Pattern relates to the repetition of a graphic motif on a material. Remember that texture refers to the 2D quality of a surface, where as a pattern relates to illustrative perception.

In commercial interior design, pattern is often applied using wallcoverings, tile, carpeting, and other graphic elements. Like texture, pattern can also define surfaces, impact scale, convey a design style, and add visual interest to a space. Be careful when applying pattern; if it’s not well balanced it can really overwhelm an interior environment.

As mentioned, texture and pattern have a huge role in defining the design style of a space. This is why in commercial interior design, it is very important that these elements are applied in a way that relate to the corporate brand of the business. Send the right message to your customers by applying the various elements of design in an effective way.

Did you miss our post about line? Read about it by clicking here.
Did you miss our post about colour? Read about it by clicking here.

» Do you need help with your commercial Interior Design project? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Because Good Design is Good Business.

The post ELEMENTS OF DESIGN PART 3: TEXTURE AND PATTERN appeared first on Hatch Interior Design.