Universal Principles of Interior Design

Universal Principles of Interior Design presents 100 concepts and guidelines that are critical to a successful visualization and application of interior design.

Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, this comprehensive reference pairs clear explanations of every topic with visual examples of it applied in practice. By considering these concepts and examples, you can learn to make more informed and ultimately better design decisions.

The book is organized alphabetically so that principles can be easily and quickly referenced. For those interested in addressing a specific challenge or application problem, the principles are also indexed by questions commonly confronting designers. Each principle is presented in a two-page format:

• The left-hand page contains a succinct definition, a full description of the principle, and examples of and guidelines for its use. Side notes, which appear to the right of the text, provide elaborations and references.
• The right-hand page contains visual examples and related graphics to support a deeper understanding of the principle.

This landmark reference is the standard for interior design students, practitioners, and educators, and others who seek to broaden and improve their understanding of and expertise in interior design.

The titles in the Rockport Universal series offer comprehensive and authoritative information and edifying and inspiring visual examples on multidisciplinary subjects for designers, architects, engineers, students, and anyone who is interested in expanding and enriching their design knowledge.

Chris Grimley has organized, designed, and implemented experiential environments, interiors, master plans, and branding initiatives for clients ranging from small offices to large institutions. He has broad experience in architecture, graphic design, and interior design. He is the co-author and designer of several books, including The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book (2018), Imagining the Modern: Architecture and Urbanism of the Pittsburgh Renaissance (2019), and Heroic: Concrete Architecture and the New Boston (2015). Recognition and awards include those from AIGA, SEGD, HOW, docomomo, the Boston Preservation Alliance and the Boston Society of Architects. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kelly Harris Smith is a designer, creative director, and entrepreneur specializing in natural and sustainable materials for commercial and residential interior design. A co-founder of FilzFelt (acquired by Knoll, Inc. in 2011), Kelly’s award-winning designs are distinctive for their pattern, color, and innovative functionality. Kelly is also the founder of Minni, a community creative space in Boston offering art and design education to young children. She was awarded Product Designer Award at Interior Design’s HiP 2020 and Emerging Product Designer Award at NYCxDesign in 2018. She trained in architecture at Northeastern University and resides in Boston, Massachusetts.