The Design Institute of San Diego Library
The DI library is an important part of the professional training of our students. The collections of the library effectively support the school's curriculum, and they also function as a model resource center for the students' future professional lives.
Interior design is a profession which applies art and design concepts in inhabited spaces. Successful professionals in this field are thoroughly grounded in the history of art, architecture, and design, proficient in visually expressing their ideas in two and three dimensions, and in creatively applying their knowledge of space analysis and planning with information about materials, furnishings, and construction. Through its in-depth book, periodical, and slide collections, and its electronic access to world class library collections, students use the resources of DI's library to complete classroom assignments throughout their course of study.
As students use the library to research classroom assignments, they are also developing techniques and problem solving skills which they will use throughout their professional careers. Talented interior designers are experts at researching options and choosing the best solutions – whether it's a standard design or a cutting edge concept. When students graduate, their practical skills must include the ability to find up-to-date information, from the newest projects of the industry's trendsetters to manufacturers' catalogs. The library plays an important role in teaching students sources of information essential to the professional practice of interior design.
The library supports DI's educational and professional goals. It contributes to placing the student's professional study of interior design in a very broad context. Here they see the best of international periodicals in interior design, and also in the related fields of film, fashion, fine art, travel, industrial design, architecture, merchandising, graphic design, computer applications, and publishing. Students have the opportunity to see the best of popular culture and high culture, as well as current events. Through constant exposure to the infinite number of ways individuals have achieved success, students come to understand their own personal search for expression.
The library is adept at meeting the learning needs of individual students. Because our students arrive from throughout the world and with very different educational backgrounds and training, DI's library provides each student with the opportunity to see the world's best design work in our books and through our excellent periodical collection, as well as access to the librarians who assist students in learning to use interior design information resources. Once students are drawn to the library through course work demands, they find themselves surrounded by wonderful information sources to inspire them and to open up new areas of interest. All of this is accomplished in a comfortable, relaxed learning environment.
The library also contributes to DI's effort to teach students the use of computers and online information as tools in their professional lives. Just as they learn to use the business oriented software and CAD necessary for professionals in the design field, they learn to access, evaluate and make effective use of electronic information and communications. The library website provides access not only to the print holdings of the library, but also to extensive digital resources including images, websites, blogs and social networking. Students also learn when and how to use other academic and public library systems in the area. Through the research required by their coursework, students become comfortable using the many new electronic tools and resources which are increasingly important to communication and professional development.
