Enhancing Photorealism in Interior Design: Insights and Innovations from PRIDE Framework Analysis

Abstract

The evaluation of photorealistic renderings in interior design is often subjective, lacking a standardized methodology to reliably assess the complex interplay between technical proficiency and artistic expression. This paper introduces and empirically validates the Photorealistic Interior Design Evaluation (PRIDE) framework, a comprehensive tool designed to address this gap. The framework's reliability was tested in a rigorous study where a panel of ten expert assessors, comprising of both industry professionals and academics, evaluated a diverse set of 15 interior renderings. The results demonstrate the framework's robustness, showing excellent internal consistency for its technical (Cronbach’s ? = 0.988) and artistic (? = 0.984) subscales, and strong inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.782). The primary finding of this study is the data-driven identification of a significant "technique over artistry" gap; renderings consistently achieved higher scores on technical execution than on nuanced artistic elements such as emotional engagement and surface imperfections. The validated PRIDE framework provides a valuable tool for practitioners and educators to benchmark quality and guide development. Furthermore, this work establishes an empirical basis for future hybrid evaluation models, suggesting a path toward semi-automation that combines computational analysis of technical criteria with essential human judgment of artistic merit.