Take a holistic approach to contemporary interior design. The interior design process is changing. In order to create truly engaging work, designers are developing a deeper and broader understanding of how design theory, research, and existing practice can help them make better decisions

• Introduction to design engagement : A starting point ; Design engagement framework ; Schools of thought ; Looking back, looking forward
• Why narrative inquiry? : Arriving at narrative ; Holistic systems approach ; Supporting evidence-based design ; Premises of design narratives ; Types of design narratives
• Narrative inquiry for design learning, research, and practice
• Impact marker: process of engagement :Engaging the self ; Ways of design thinking ; Visualizing, forming, and construction ; Engaging as a design team
• Impact marker: contextual civility : Introducing contextual civility ; Related themes from the literature ; Security and safety ; Community service, nonprofits, and service learning ; Final thoughts on contextual civility
• Impact marker: empathy : Origins of empathy ; Related themes from the literature ; Design sensibilities ; Final thoughts on empathy
• Impact marker: place identity : Exploring place identity ; Range of authenticity ; Vernacular design ; Related themes form the literature ; Place identity beyond geographic context ; Exploring historically significant places ; Place identity in thematic design
• Impact marker: innovation : Exploring innovation ; Related themes from the literature ; Leaps and adaptations ; Forms of creative engagement
• Impact marker: maturation : Origins of design maturation ; Users and public influence ; Development issues for beginning designers
• An epilogue integrating impact markers : Where do we go from here? ; Summing up impact markers ; Achieving balance while embracing opposites ; Emerging issues and gaps ; Summing up design thinking ; Ten ways of advancing the discipline
• Using a narrative approach : Review of narrative types ; Finding a topic ; Criteria fro case selection ; Employing mixed methods ; Crafting well-grounded narratives ; Critically engaging the literature