Geek Chic in Contemporary Interior Design

by Sonja Albrecht
sonja.albrecht@CareerSchoolGuide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

Beige boxes are out. Sleek, glowing desk ornaments are in. The new generation of computers has brains and beauty. As computers assume a greater and greater role in our daily lives, contemporary interior designers are spotting a demand for machines that coordinate with a room’s décor.

The Softer Side of Technology

Today’s machines are an integral part of the home. That’s why more and more designers are drawing on their interior design education to create a warmer, more approachable look for home technology. Designer Howard Suissa comments, “With the integration of computers into our living environment, people are craving something more human.” His high-end hardwood computer casing looks like it belongs in the living room. It’s a stylish alternative to the standard “hermetically sealed, sterilized unit, or the computer that resembles an alien’s head.”

Geek Chic

Bringing style and humanity to high technology has become a major goal of contemporary interior design. Computer manufacturers Dell, Sony, and Toshiba are all designing stylish alternatives to the classic beige box.

• It’s Alive! Apple’s Mac seems to breathe as it sleeps, with a soft white glowing light. Dell’s answer to this human appeal is its M2010, which blushes to the touch. Others “hum softly into the night.”
• Space Age Casing. Sony’s VAIO seems to float in a sheet of clear plastic. Toshiba’s Qosmio features sculptured lines and a shiny black and silver case.
• Hardwood Heirlooms. An alternative to plastic or metal, Suisse offers beautiful hardwood casing destined to become an heirloom—the system can be continually upgraded, of course.

Contemporary Technology and Interior Design Education

Contemporary technology and interior design were bound to come together. Today’s interior designers value the new style in computers. New York interior designer Richard Mishaan has been “waiting for them to get flat-screened, black, and cool-looking.”

No doubt, technology will loom large in your interior design education. Computer-aided Design (CAD) is crucial to any design education. And increasingly, so is computer hardware design.

Sources

Treehugger.com
“When Beige Won’t Do,” The New York Times (Nov. 23, 2006)

About the Author

Sonja Albrecht works as a writer and editor for an online media company. She has also taught college writing and completed a Ph.D. in English.