The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2019 Outlook and State of Interior Design (OSID) report, supplying design professionals with essential insights necessary to compete and succeed in today’s evolving society and practice. The report provides 90 plus pages of key information including a comprehensive look at the U.S. economy and construction industry, a discussion of macro-trends, industry disruptors and implications, and projections for the future of the profession from industry thought leaders.
“As our industry and profession continue to experience rapid change in an increasingly globalized world, we must become agile and adaptable to these shifts and apply knowledge in order to thrive,” states Randy Fiser, Hon. FASID, CEO, ASID. “It’s becoming ever-important to reflect on the past and present in order for interior design professionals to adequately prepare for the future. The 2019 ASID Outlook and State of Interior Design report provides resources for designers to inform their next steps, and offers verified insight as to which direction to steer their businesses and careers.”
The OSID begins with an overview of key issues in the U.S. economy, including essential content necessary to navigate through uncertainties expected to impact both businesses and individuals from 2019 onwards. Bernard M. Markstein, president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, pores through an examination of activity within each market sector and offers a detailed outlook for 2019-2020, expanding on construction, employment, inflation, trade, and U.S. energy and fiscal policies.
Global, macro-level trends and disruptors correspond to those found in interior design, and these parallels are actively influencing how interior designers run their businesses, create solutions, and further advance the industry and profession at large.
With changes in future business – from new markets to a heightened demand for wellness and diversity solutions – smaller firms will need to innovate their business models, and larger firms will need to focus on employee retention, development, and including more specialists on the team. Designers also need to keep up with these changes and anticipate how new technologies may alter the design paradigm in the future.
The report concludes with diverse insider perspectives on where the interior design industry is headed and the future of the profession. Despite differences in background, specialty, and practice size, there is a resounding agreement among thought leaders that interior design is experiencing a resurgence in demand due to the ongoing shift toward occupant-centered, supportive, and performative spaces.
“Design must be considered in every aspect of every business, whether it’s from a wellness factor, aesthetic factor, efficiency, or whether it’s from an attraction factor. While I think things in business and the world may change, there will continue to be the need for design. How we deliver it might be different, the process we take might be different, the outcomes may be different, but I think it’s still going to be a very vital part of businesses,” states Suzanne Nicholson, ASID, principal + strategist, Meyer and executive director of partner engagement + operations, ONE Global Design.
The full report is available for download here.
