Visual Data Browsing in the Design Process - Interior Architecture Students’ Approaches to the Use of Social Networking Platforms

Sep 5, 2026

This study investigates how interior architecture students browse and use visual data through social networking platforms (SNP) during the design process. The research evaluates SNP usage practices, preferred platforms, habits, and data collection methods with a 28-item questionnaire administered to 298 students from two Turkish universities. Findings show active SNP use for design innovation, comparing approaches, inspiration, and acquiring new techniques, with notable benefits by educational level. While distraction and reliability concerns exist, balanced and conscious use supports academic and professional learning in design education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Social networking platforms and digital transformation in design education

Visual data and design decision-making

Interior architecture education needs and context awareness

How SNP supports learning beyond the classroom

Study focus and expected contributions

Research Article ICONARP International Journal of Architecture and Planning Received: 13.10.2025 Accepted: 24.03.2026 Volume 14, Issue 1/ Published: 30.06.2026 DOI: 10.15320/ICONARP.2026.360 E-ISSN:2147-9380 ICONARP Visual Data Browsing in the Design Process: Interior Architecture Students’ Approaches to the Use of Social Networking Platforms Şule Kara * Ayşen Özkan ** Abstract This study examines the visual data browsing approaches of interior architecture students through social networking platforms (SNP) in the design process. Based on the characteristics of the research group, the study aims to reveal the contributions of SNP to interior architecture education and the emerging trends in this context. Within this aim, a total of 298 students from the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Departments of Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University and Hacettepe University participated in the study. A questionnaire including 28 questions was used to assess the use of SNP during the design process, usage habits, preferred platforms, and data collection methods. The findings indicate that interior architecture students actively use SNP in the design process for purposes such as design innovations, seeing different design approaches, getting inspiration or learning new techniques. It has been determined that as the level of education differs, differences may occur in the students' approaches to bringing together visuals and analysing existing designs better to create original designs. It was determined that students generally use SNP for professional projects and design content, and that weekly and daily use is common. It has been observed that 3rd grade students benefit from SNP more than students in other educational levels. No significant differences were found between universities; Pinterest was found to be the most preferred platform. Despite the limited negative effects of SNP, such as distractions and reliability issues, it was concluded that their conscious and balanced use, contributes academically and professionally to the design education process. Keywords: Design process, Interior architecture, Interior architecture education, Social networking platforms, Visual data * Institute of Fine Arts, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye. (Corresponding author) E-mail: [sule.koc@hacettepe.edu.tr](sule.koc@hacettepe.edu.tr) ** Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye. E-mail: [aysenoz@hacettepe.edu.tr](aysenoz@hacettepe.edu.tr) To cite this article: Kara, Ş ., & Özkan, A. (2026) Visual Data Browsing in the Design Process: Interior Architecture Students’ Approaches to the Use of Social Networking Platforms. ICONARP International Journal of Architecture and Planning, 14 (1), 230-255. DOI: 10.15320/ICONARP.2026.360 Copyright 2026, Konya Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Design. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license DOI: 10.15320/ICONARP.2026.360 231 INTRODUCTION The rapid proliferation of online platforms, driven by advancementsin digital technologies, empowers design students to integrate these platforms into their educational processes, thereby transforming information access and production methods (Güler, 2015; Cho and Cho, 2020; İlter, 2020; Scolere, 2023) . While this change reveals new approaches in design education, SNP become a part of visual data browsing and inspiration-seeking processes for students. Specifically, SNP are defined as digital environments where users generate, disseminate, and engage with visual, textual, and auditory content (Weaver and Morrison, 2008; Castells, 2023) . Students frequently use these platforms to search, collect, and interpret visual data. Visual data are spatial representations that influence design decisions, such as images, drawings, and photographs that students access through information search methods. Interior architecture education encompasses t

FAQs

What does the study examine about interior architecture students?

The study examines students’ visual data browsing approaches using social networking platforms during the design process.

How was the research conducted?

A 28-question questionnaire was used, collecting data from 298 students from Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University and Hacettepe University.

Which platform was most preferred and what benefits were observed?

Pinterest was the most preferred platform, and students generally used SNP for professional projects and design content, with greater benefits observed for 3rd grade students than other levels.

Sep 5, 2026

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