TWO VIEWS OF DESIGN group talk

In class today we discussed different views of design. We talked about the Eames' and their design background of learning and holistic design and we talked about modern-day HGTV shows like Design on a Dime (which i HATE) and Design Star. The designers on these shows sometimes come from a degree-earned background and sometimes are self-taught. We talked about the differences in these and which way is (if at all) better. Here are the questions we discussed in groups:

1. what role does education play in interior design?
I think that education definitely opens one up to different avenues and ways of thinking. Those who don't have a design education can always be taught from experience but a degree and education definitely helps get you a job as well.
2. how important are credentials and experience for the design field?
Personally, I say the more credentials/experience the more job opportunities. You've got to start somewhere and can work your way up from there.
3. what do you think about taking a holistic approach to design?
I think that's the best way to go about design. What's the point of replacing a couch if it doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the room and how it feels/functions?
4. what experiences and life skills does a designer bring to the profession + what does the design star think?
A designer brings what he's taught and what he's experienced to the profession. If they're from an educational background, they've got different insights and ways of thinking as well as basic knowledge of things. The design star is a huge mesh of different people with different experience. Some have degrees and want to have their own show, others are people who worked their way up with no education. To my knowledge, no contestant has known NOTHING about design or had NO experience. If so, that's a different story and tells people that just anyone can design which, to an extent, is simply untrue. HGTV is just that...TV. It's not going to show the whole drawn-out process all the time which is unfortunate because it's important for viewers to know.
5. what is the role of the media in interior design?
The media says about interior design "anyone can do it". This may be true for those little around-the-house touch ups that any homeowner could and should do. Interior design involves thinking outside the box and serious problem-solving. It's not a job for every average Joe.