The purpose of this publication is to provide you with a starting point to finding resources in interior design.
Reference sources
Online, for loan and not for loan reference sources. Reference sources help to clarify concepts and keywords and help provide an introductory overview of a topic. They include dictionaries, encyclopaedias, directories, handbooks and, manuals. Hardcopy reference sources not for loan are in the Reference Collection on level 4 under R.
| Title | Description | Call number |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary of painting and decoration | Defines and explains about all aspects of both the industrial and decorative branches of the trade of painting. Provides information on relevant new techniques and processes as well as various now rarely used techniques benefiting those involved in restoration work. Suitable for craftsmen, students and teachers. | R 698.03 1 /3A |
| Studio dictionary of design and decoration | Originated as a series published in House & Garden magazine. Deals with all aspects of design and decoration. Suitable for the general reader. | R 745 37 |
| Antiquespeak | A guide to the styles, techniques, and materials of the decorative arts, from the Renaissance to art deco. Suitable for students, collectors and interested readers. | R 745.103 1 |
| The design encyclopedia | This definitive encyclopedia covers all elements associated with decoration and design in eastern and western Europe, Australia, North and South America and Japan. | R 745.203 1 |
| Concise encyclopedia of interior design | Defines all important terms used in interior design and related fields. An essential reference work for students which encourages understanding of design principles and skills. | R 747.03 3 |
| The Oxford companion to the decorative arts | Provides an introduction to the fine arts, that is those arts which are made to serve a practical purpose. Includes articles on various crafts, periods, cultures, techniques, materials and craftsmen. Intended for students and professionals involved in related fields. | R 747.03 4 |
| Encyclopedia of interior design | Two volume set. Provides descriptions and analysis of a range a topics and individuals related to interiors. Suitable for all students. | R 747.03 5 |
| An illustrated dictionary of glass | Includes definitions of various wares, materials, processes, forms and decorative styles. Also includes entries on principal glass-makers, decorators, and designers. | R 748.03 1 |
| Dictionary of furniture | Comprehensive listing of terms referring to furniture style, manufacture and makers in all countries and cultures. Suitable for anyone interested in furniture. | R 749.0321 1 |
Books
To find books on a topic, the best starting point is to perform a keyword search on the library catalogue. Once you have found an item that looks relevant, you can then use the subject headings assigned to that record to find other items.
Journals
Online and Hardcopy journals. For a fuller list of print and electronic Interior Design journals, perform a Subject search for “interior decoration” on the Library Catalogue (using the Periodicals option). Hardcopy journals at Gardens Point are shelved on level 4 under P for periodicals.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Architectural digest | Presents current projects and new ideas in interior design. Features a world wide scope, and is suitable for all students. |
| Abitare | Italian magazine reporting on historical achievements and the latest developments in architecture, interior furnishings, and design from around the world. Suitable for all students (Text in English and Italian). |
| Interior design | Provides industry news and profiles design projects which are accompanied by evaluative text. Aimed at professional residential and commercial designers, however suitable for most students. |
| Interiors | Australian magazine detailing trends and developments in decorating, building and furnishings. Reviews global trends and developments and their application to Australia . Suitable for all students. |
| The world of interiors | British publication which contains advice and ideas for interior designers |
| Journal of interior design | Focuses on research in interior design and related fields. Includes literature reviews, empirical studies, and articles on design theory, techniques and practices. Recommended to post-graduate students. This is a refereed journal. |
| Metropolis | Metropolis examines contemporary life through the various design disciplines, including architecture, interior design, product design, graphic design, crafts, planning and preservation. |
| MD: Moebel interior design | Describes problems and solutions in the field on interior furnishings and design (Text in English, French, German) |
| CAA Reviews | Devoted to the peer review of new books and projects relevant to the fields of art and art history including criticism and theory, arts education and policy, film, curatorial studies, and architecture. |
Databases
Use databases in combination with the catalogue to find references and fulltext to journal articles and conference papers.
Databases may be citation only, or fulltext, and usually a mix of both. If you find a citation without the full text, It may be available elsewhere. When finding a citation without fulltext link, copy the journal or conference title. Go to the Catalogue and select the 'Journal Title' tab. For journal articles use the 'Title begins with' option. For conference papers select the 'Keyword' drop-down option. Type or paste the journal or conference title (NOT the article or paper title) and click search. Use the other citation information for navigating to the fulltext.
| Database title | Description |
|---|---|
| Art Index |
Indexes international art publications, including English and foreign language periodicals, yearbooks and museum bulletins. Subject coverage includes archeology, architecture, art, film, humanities, marketing and photography. This database is highly recommended to coursework students. |
| ARCH (Australian Architecture Database) | Indexes Australian and New Zealand architectural and building journals. This database is highly recommended to coursework students. |
| Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals | Indexes periodicals from the USA, Great Britain, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia, as well as the publications of many professional societies. Subject coverage includes archeology, architecture, architectural design, city planning, furniture and decoration, historic preservation, history of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban planning. |
| Building Code of Australia Online | Published by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). Provides the complete Building Code of Australia, the Guide, and approximately 140 fulltext standards referred to in the Code. |
| Standards Australia Online | The Standards Australia Online service provides access to the complete collection of current Australian Standards, and recent Draft Standards and handbooks (excluding Standards and handbooks with joint copyright) in fulltext with graphics. Full- text documents are available in Portable Document Format (PDF) format. |
Internet resources
A selection of Interior Design related web sites.
| Website | Description |
|---|---|
| ADAM http://adam.ac.uk |
ADAM is a searchable catalogue of over 2,500 Internet resources relevant to art, design, architecture and media. THIS RESOURCE IS NO LONGER UPDATED. |
| ADAM http://adam.ac.uk |
ADAM is a searchable catalogue of over 2,500 Internet resources relevant to art, design, architecture and media. THIS RESOURCE IS NO LONGER UPDATED. |
| Artcyclopedia http://www.artcyclopedia.com/ |
Artcyclopedia aims to be the definitive and most effective guide to museum-quality fine art on the Internet. It has compiled a comprehensive index of every artist represented at hundreds of museum sites, image archives, and other online resources. Three are 1800 art sites indexed, and over 60,000 links to an estimated 150,000 artworks by 8,100 renowned artists. |
| CAA Reviews http://www.caareviews.org/ |
Devoted to the peer review of new books and projects relevant to the fields of art and art history including criticism and theory, arts education and policy, film, curatorial studies, and architecture. |
| Design council http://www.design-council.org.uk/ |
Provide references to sites where artists' works can be viewed online. Primarily oriented to searching by artist name. Focuses on artists who specialise in painting and sculpture. Other media such as photography, decorative arts, installation art, video, digital and web-based art, folk art and architecture are included where possible. |
| Design Institute of Australia http://www.dia.org.au/ |
Australia's multidisciplinary professional association for designers. |