Margaret Portillo, Ph.D., FIDEC, ISCC

Associate Dean, Research and Strategic Initiatives
College of Design, Construction, and Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville
CIDA Board of Directors

Expertise/Specializations/Interests: environmental color and creativity scholarship, research with translational significance connecting the academy, practice, and industry

What is the highest and best purpose of interior design?

Elevating the human experience in an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable way is the highest and best purpose of interior design. Answering this call will evolve the identity of the profession. We should not be swayed by the prevailing winds of divisiveness in our search for truth; rather, let us be confident in our collective ability to create a better future.

To unceasingly grow the knowledge base in interior design.

How can education, practice, and industry collaborate synergistically to advance the body of knowledge? How does the whole become greater than the sum of its parts?

To invest in research strategically and steadfastly.

Design research feeds the body of knowledge to expand, grow deeper, more interconnected, and ultimately has a beneficial impact on society.

To embody diversity and advocacy.

How can interior design transform the world by IDEA: inclusion, diversity, equity, access? By changing the culture of interior design to fulfill its highest and best purpose, all sectors of the field will need to rethink how we educate and practice. How should underserved and underrepresented people be welcomed into the field in all capacities?

To ardently contribute to a sustainable future.

This impacts our research agenda: what we teach and how we practice. For instance, by ehtically harnessing the potential of emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, the continuum of choice and control can be tailored to address current needs and also inform directions for the future.

Striving to reach the highest and best purpose of interior design is not an easy task. Progressive education and practice requires foresight, creativity, and grit. The infinite possibilities of interior design depend on the strength from a unified vision, ability to adapt to the challenges of the future, and act decisively.