About Me

Dr. Charles Giammona

What is the Near Environment?

The environment is all factors that impinge upon or influence an individual. The near environment or the immediate or personal environment is that part of the environment which is close to the individual and with which the individual interacts; our clothing, building interiors, and housing are all components of the near environment. The near environment includes the specific places and things with which an individual engages daily or regularly. The near environment has both tangible and intangible components. The focus of study for students in the Department of Design and Human Environment is both the tangible products -- apparel and other textile products, interiors, housing -- and intangible aspects -- cultural and individual values and attitudes, social institutions, individual perceptions and motivations, and so forth -- of the near environment. Students in all areas of concentration study the tangible components as influenced by the intangible aspects.