ASSISTING INTERIOR DESIGN CLASS USING ONLINE 3D APPLICATION

Learning visual subject that involves creativity, technicality and drawing skills is very challenging, time consuming and sometimes very frustrating. It requires passion and patience in order to understand and master the skills. Our study focuses on implementing a method to assist the students in understanding visual subject particularly perspective drawing in interior architecture program at the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), University of Sharjah. An online 3D application known as Autodesk Homestyler has been used to assist sophomore students to understand perspective drawings. The main problems for these students are difficulties in visualizing and understanding 3D space, scale, proportion and object depth in perspective drawing. Implementation of this method allows the students to understand the subject effectively. Samples of student work, before and after the implementation are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. The result shows that traditional drawing skills that enhanced and aided by the technology such as online 3D application will give more result that is promising and this hybrid method has great potential for future development

A Study of How Heritage Characteristics Can Be Incorporated into The Internal Design of Saudi Hotels

Saudi Arabia is highly regarded among other societies and is renowned for its oil and wealth. However, the positive impression of the country is not only a reflection of its culture. Saudi Arabia also has a very interesting history and abundant culture and heritage. Every year, a large number of foreign visitors travel to the country for diverse reasons, including business and tourism and mostly for Hajj and Umrah. However, most of the existing hotels do not celebrate the Kingdom’s culture and heritage. It is essential for the country to consider developing heritage hotels in order to share its heritage and culture. This would be an excellent opportunity to contribute to the tourism industry, as well as to reflect the country’s history accurately. This study examines the role of interior design and the use of heritage elements and motifs in contemporary hotels in Saudi Arabia. Hotels have a unique opportunity to promote the identity of the city and at the same time they receive different types of visitors with different languages, cultures and religions. Therefore, hotel design should be suitable for all visitors from different backgrounds, while respecting the Saudi Arabian aesthetic, social/cultural, economic and environmental values, relating to concepts of the contemporary. Hotels are among one of the best means for supporting tourism and can add value to the nation’s culture, society and economy. Designs for contemporary heritage hotels must include the creation of innovative elements that relate to the surrounding environment and reflect the traditions of the area. Moreover, the focus on the lobbies is a sub-case of the heritage elements within the hotels that will form the basis for insight into other areas. This study describes the effect of using heritage elements and motifs in the interior design of contemporary hotels in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Although a large amount of research has been conducted on interior design, there has not been a focus on the use of heritage elements in hotel interiors by hotel management and customer services. Consequently, a reconsideration of traditional elements and motifs is recommended when designing tourist hotels in Saudi Arabia, in order to take advantage of global influences rather than resist them, to maintain traditional heritage and to reawaken confidence in heritage and revive and protect it for future generations. This study aims to explore how heritage characteristics can be incorporated into the internal design of Saudi hotels in the 21st century that describes the heritage elements and motifs of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and to develop a framework to help interior designers with this integration. Therefore, this study seeks to fill the gaps in the existing literature to explore the meanings of heritage and traditions that can be represented in the interior design of contemporary hotels. This thesis only covers interior design aspects and is not an architectural guide. A theoretical framework and socio-ecological framework is adopted to identify and anticipate the future of contemporary heritage hotels in the Saudi market. This thesis develops the consideration of accepted heritage design and its potential link with higher customer sales and higher profits for hoteliers and the government. The findings of the research indicate that hotel visitors view the interior design of hotels in a complete and integrated manner, and express a desire to use heritage elements in accordance with the hotel requirements and development of the era. In contrast, for the owners income and luxury are the most important factors. Therefore, the results highlight that the use of heritage elements in hotels is formed through both the place and the aesthetic appearance of the interior design of the heritage hotel. The results also reveal that the use of heritage elements in the interior design of hotels is very important in meeting customer needs, creating value for the hotel. This study contributes to enhancing the awareness of hotel owners and interior designers regarding the use of heritage in the interior design of hotels, and provides a better understanding of consumers and tourists