Kramerville Tour Insights: A Conversation with Christopher De Bod

Christopher De Bod has long been a thoughtful voice in the design and decor environment industry, championing spaces that do more than just look beautiful—they shape how we live, work, and feel. With a career grounded in human-centred design, sustainable practice, and professional advocacy, Christopher has consistently highlighted how interior design and architecture extend beyond aesthetics into the realms of wellbeing, behaviour, and experience.

As a key figure in the IID, he has contributed to elevating the profession through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and a commitment to ethical practice. In this interview, Christopher shares insights from his journey, reflects on evolving industry trends, and offers guidance for design professionals navigating the intersection of creativity, technology, and business. With the upcoming IID Kramerville Tour, he also reveals why events like this are vital for connecting, learning, and preparing designers for the future of design.

Can you share a bit about your journey in the design and built environment industry, and what inspired you to focus on your particular area of expertise?

My own journey within the built environment has always been driven by an interest in how design influences people’s lived experiences. Early on, I became increasingly aware that the decisions we make as designers extend far beyond visual outcomes; they shape behaviour, comfort, productivity and emotional wellbeing. This understanding naturally led me to focus on areas where design intersects with user experience and sustainable practice. Being involved with the IID has further reinforced the importance of professional advocacy, education and ethical standards within our industry. It’s through collective knowledge-sharing and mentorship that we are able to elevate both individual practices and the profession as a whole.

How has your approach to design evolved over the years in response to industry trends and client expectations?

Design has evolved from a primary focus on aesthetics to a far more human-centred, experience-driven process. While beauty remains important,  interior designers, interior architects are creators of how people truly live, work and feel within a space. Design is no longer just about how something looks, but how it supports wellbeing, behaviour and cognitive function. By considering the human behaviour and the emotional impact of environments, we create spaces that are purposeful, inclusive and responsive to changing client expectations. At the heart of this evolution is a firm belief that everyone across all sectors deserves access to thoughtful, well-designed spaces that enhance quality of life.

In your view, what are the most critical skills or mindsets for interior designers and architects today?

Today, the most important skills for interior designers and architects extend well beyond surface-level solutions. We need to approach every project with empathy and a strong design-thinking mindset, truly understanding our clients and the people who will use the space every day. It’s about guiding clients through the journey, so they feel informed, involved and confident in the process. Critical thinking helps us ask better questions and arrive at solutions that are thoughtful, relevant and practical. We also need to deeply understand the spaces we design how they function, how they feel and how they shape behaviour. And while technology continues to evolve, it should support and enhance our work, freeing up time so we can focus on creating meaningful, human-centred environments

What excites you most about The Kramerville Tour, and why do you think it’s such a unique experience for design professionals?

What excites me most about the Kramerville Tour is that it has been intentionally shaped by listening to our members, partners and friends across the built environment. Through these conversations, we understand how vital continuous professional development is particularly when approached in a holistic way that supports not only creative excellence but sustainable business practice. Thriving in our industry requires healthy, well-run businesses, and that is why we have carefully curated the day. The business-focused pop-ups are set within inspiring, beautifully designed environments, creating a meaningful platform where knowledge, collaboration and commercial insight come together in a powerful and practical way

For attendees, what’s the best way to make the most of the panels, pop-ups, and networking opportunities during the day?

To truly maximise the value of the Kramerville Tour, attendees should begin by registering early and reviewing the information pack so they can understand the themes and panel topics in advance. Rather than simply following the route, be intentional—select the discussions that are most relevant to your business and professional growth. Engage actively with the subject matter experts throughout the day, participate in the panel conversations, and use the networking moments to ask questions and share insights. In short, the more purposeful and involved you are, the more meaningful and commercially valuable the experience will be

The design industry is constantly evolving—what emerging trends do you see shaping the way spaces are conceptualized and executed?

If you look at what industry leaders are talking about, the conversation is shifting away from “trends” in the traditional sense. It’s less about what’s fashionable right now and more about getting the fundamentals right. Designers are focusing on creating spaces that are mindful, sustainable and genuinely impactful environments that support wellness, embrace neurodiversity and respond to how different people think, feel and function. There’s a real emphasis on building strong foundations: adaptable spaces, healthy materials, sensory awareness and long-term value. In many ways, it’s not about what’s new it’s about what truly works and makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives

Technology is increasingly influencing design. How do you integrate tech innovations in your work, and what should designers be paying attention to at the Tour?

Interior designers around the world are increasingly recognising that technology shouldn’t let us get lazy or rely on shortcuts, it should empower us to work smarter and more creatively. Tools like BIM, 3D modelling, VR/AR, and cloud collaboration don’t replace our skills; they streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and give clients a clearer picture of a project before construction even begins. By handling repetitive tasks and managing complex data, technology frees us to focus on problem-solving, innovation, and human-centred design. Used thoughtfully, it elevates our craft, strengthens business outcomes, and takes what we do to the next level, without ever compromising the designer’s vision or expertise

Many designers struggle with turning creativity into profitable business models. What advice do you have for balancing artistry with business acumen, and are there insights from the Tour that could help?

At the Kramerville Tour, ethics is at the heart of conversation because thoughtful, researched design goes hand in hand with best practice. By designing with human behaviour and wellbeing in mind, we consider the impact of our choices on people, communities, and the environment. Panels and discussions encourage designers to make responsible, informed decisions, showing that ethical practice and best practice are inseparable and together, they elevate creativity and the quality of design

Sustainability and ethical design are hot topics—what practical steps can design professionals take to make a tangible impact, and are there specific examples you’ll be highlighting at the Tour?

Sustainability and ethical design become meaningful when they move beyond intent and are embedded into everyday decision-making within a project. As professionals, we can begin by specifying responsibly sourced materials, engaging with suppliers who offer verified environmental product data, and designing for longevity and adaptability so that spaces don’t need to be constantly reworked or replaced. Ethical design also includes ensuring that environments are inclusive, accessible and supportive of diverse user needs. At the Kramerville Tour, we will be engaging directly with suppliers who are prioritising material transparency, lifecycle thinking and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes. These interactions allow designers to ask critical technical questions and make informed specification choices that have a tangible impact not only on project outcomes but on the broader environmental footprint of the built environment.

Where do you see the future of the built environment heading in the next 5–10 years, and how do events like the Kramerville Tour prepare professionals for it?

Over the next five to ten years, I believe we will see the built environment becoming increasingly responsive, data-informed and human-centric. There will be greater emphasis on designing spaces that are adaptable to changing user needs, climate conditions and patterns of occupancy. Concepts such as regenerative design, circular material use and wellness-driven environments will continue to gain traction as clients become more conscious of how the spaces they occupy affect both productivity and wellbeing. Events like the Kramerville Tour play a vital role in preparing professionals for this shift by creating opportunities for ongoing learning and industry engagement. Through direct access to product innovation, knowledge-sharing sessions and discussions around business resilience, the IID is equipping practitioners with the tools and insights required to remain relevant, responsible and commercially viable within a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

What continues to motivate you to innovate and push boundaries in your work, and how do you hope to inspire attendees during the Tour?

What continues to motivate me is the knowledge that the work we do as design professionals has a direct and lasting impact on how people live and interact with their environments. Innovation doesn’t always mean creating something entirely new; often it’s about refining processes, challenging assumptions and finding more responsible ways to solve familiar problems. Through the Kramerville Tour, I hope to encourage attendees to approach their work with curiosity and intention, to engage more critically with the choices they make, and to recognise that meaningful innovation often lies in designing with empathy, integrity and long-term impact in mind.

Contact: Christopher de Bod Designs
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