Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter 1 Thinking Critically 1

What Is Critical Thinking? 2

Who Is a Critical Thinker? 4

The Importance of Thinking Critically in Interior Design 5

It Is Not Criticism 8

Conclusion 9

For Discussion 10

Chapter 2 Design as Process 13

The Design Process-A Brief Review 14

For Whom Do We Design? 19

Not the First Answer 23

Using Time Effectively 25

Design Thinking 26

Conclusion 30

For Discussion 31

Chapter 3 Problem Definition and Analysis 35

Goals and Objectives 36

Problem Definition 42

Problem Analysis 44

Synthesis 48

Design Concept Statements 52

Conclusion 57

For Discussion 58

Chapter 4 Asking Questions 63

The Purpose of Asking Questions 64

Listening Skills 68

Asking the Right Questions 71

Is There Always a Right Answer? 77

Bias 80

Avoiding Disputes 81

Negotiation 84

Conclusion 86

For Discussion 87

Chapter 5 Looking for Answers-Research Methodologies 93

Types of Research 94

Evidence-Based Design 96

Developing a Research Project 101

Assessing Information 115

Assessing Information from the Internet 121

Conclusion 123

For Discussion 124

Chapter 6 Decision Making 129

Making Decisions 130

What Constitutes Decision Making? 131

Decision-Making Strategies 134

Why We Make Wrong Decisions 140

Conclusion 143

For Discussion 143

Chapter 7 Ethical Decision Making 149

The Importance of Ethical Decision Making 150

Business versus Ethical Conflicts 153

Client Expectations 157

Conclusion 159

For Discussion 160

References 167

Index 175