When it comes to diversity and equality, the design industry is as colorful and egalitarian as they come—or so one would think. But how diverse is the design industry, really? As it turns out, that glass ceiling is still firmly in place.
While 69 percent of the 87,000 design practitioners in the U.S. are women, only 25 percent of firm leadership consists of females, according to IIDA’s latest report, “Diversity and Design: Why Gender, Equality, and Multidisciplinary Thinking are Essential to Business.” Further, the report states that—at least on paper—interior design “is one of the least racially diverse professions.” (A copy of the Executive Report is available for download here.)
Racial, gender, generational, and cognitive diversity were among the topics discussed at IIDA’s 19th annual Industry Roundtable of 30 design industry leaders, which formed the basis for the report and will help serve as a strategic roadmap for the newly formed IIDA Diversity Council, chaired by Stacy Walker, Ind. IIDA, and director of customer experience at Milliken.
I don’t know about you, but in this day and age, I didn’t think the need for a “diversity council” was really needed—especially in the design industry! But perception is a big part of the problem. Most of the participants in IIDA’s roundtable, when asked how diverse they felt the field of design really is, indicated that the profession doesn’t have a diversity problem.
And there’s the rub: glass ceilings are transparent. So much so that sometimes we don’t even realize they’re there.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.