In a country where the study of engineering and architecture is still on the hype, there are really few number of institutions providing the courses of interior designing. With the rise of new startups and corporate businesses, the need of creative variation in both indoor and outdoor looks is also increasing that clearly justifies the scope of interior designing in Nepal. Realizing this opportunity, the number of students preferring to study interior designing is growing immensely but on the other hand, these institutions are too less to cover up the demand of such possible students in the whole market.
Addressing the situation, Raju Maharjan, CEO at Halftone Designs Pvt. Ltd. mentioned,”There is no doubt that Nepal’s market for interior designing is huge. Day by day, we come across with many buildings and infrastructures reflecting unique inventiveness and originality that is a plus point to attract popularity. That’s the reason why the spot of interior designing has moved to a better level compared to that of few years back. Since the insight for this field is new when it comes to academics, there are few institutions providing the courses of interior designing. However, we can forecast a better growth in future because of its employability opportunity. Establishment of more respective institutions will produce more creative and employable interior designers for the country.”
He further added,“ Unlike the traditional thoughts of interior designing as a career option, we now can see a better support from the parents.”
Getting deep into the content, Glocal Khabar had an exclusive interview with Sushanta Shrestha, an architect and a trainer for the interior designing course at Halftone Designs whose 12 years of experience has been a chief yardstick to understand the position of interior designing in Nepal. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Glocal Khabar: Since you have been teaching this module for a long time, please tell us what actually is interior designing?
Mr. Shrestha: Interior Designing is a science. The main misconception what I see in Nepalese society is that most people think that interior designing means picking up the colours, furnitures, flooring, light features and assembling them together in a room. So basically they are confused with interior decorating and interior designing. But the real essence is exactly different. Interior is the science of how your space should be organised and is comprised of these five fundamentals: First one is definitely the designs. Designs reflect your vision virtually and interior designing is the best way to showcase it. Second point is the technology. Lets keep the contemporary concept of interior designing aside because today’s world ask for advanced innovation. So, in today’s market, technology and interior designing must go hand in hand. Moving on to next parameter, it is the cost-efficiency. A perfect interior design means the proper combination of valued designs with cost effective resources. Likewise, availability of options is also a main characteristic of interior designing. Designs are subjective in nature and same designs may not go with all the clients. So there must be the flexibility in designs to be customized. Last but not the least, is the utility with being organised. Every client aims to design their interior with best management possible. Hence, designing with appropriate geometry and expected application is interior designing.
Glocal Khabar: How advanced and qualitative is it for students to study interior designing in Nepal?
Mr. Shrestha: The cultural and natural aspects of Nepal itself is the best teacher for the students to learn the sublime designs and lofty sustainability. You can crave inspirations from the Aakhi Jhyaal of durbar square to the escaping view of Nuwakot. But when it comes to academic courses, then we can’t be judgemental too fast. Looking at one side, the Nepalese institutions have ample ingenuity to teach their students in best possible way. The recent massive earthquake has taught a lesson for these institutions to teach in more sustainable way and remarkably, they are doing good to some extend. However, at the another side, there is still the problem of limitation of resources in Nepalese education system. Students are confined to stick with the boundaries of imagination set by the teacher. They are judged from the wooden models that might not be practical in real case scenario. Where as, few students still depend on what is taught inside the classroom rather than exploring the outer world. So, it’s complex to explain about the advancement and the quality of interior designing course in Nepal but if we can put value in the two way approach between the students and teachers, then Nepal has a great potential.
Glocal Khabar: What do you think about the employability rate in this field? How are Nepalese interior designers performing in the international market?
Mr. Shrestha: Most of the time, we follow what others are following rather than diverting our road to another range. The concept of interior designing is new in Nepal. This means that we have more employability because of less contestant competing for certain number of contract. If we can lead the designing with the mentioned five parameters, then there are ample job opportunities compared to any other professions. And to your second question, being Nepali is a sort of advantage for an interior designer because we come from the land full of elevated pagoda buildings and appealing decorations. If Nepalese interior designers resembling such exotic reflection are really doing good in the international market which in indeed a matter of pride for the whole country.
Glocal Khabar: Could you please share your final words for the students who are willing to study interior designing?
Mr. Shrestha: Just expand your horizon for learning. Learn from your surroundings, from every ambiance. There is no limit for interior designing. Do update yourself with the dynamic trends and technologies. Try with different geometries and ideas. If you are passionate about it, there is no doubt that it’s also a sustainable career in Nepal.
By: Ruby Shah
