Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Interior Design (B.S.)


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Program:  Bachelor of Science
Department of Art and Design   
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Visual Arts Building 117 ~ 260-481-6709


Upon completing their degree, all B.S. Interior Design graduates will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  • Understand the basic principles and applications of design and color in two and three dimensions, particularly with regard to human response and behavior. Design principles include, but are not limited to, an understanding of basic visual elements and principles of organization and expression.
  • Apply their knowledge of design and color principles in a wide variety of residential and nonresidential projects. This requires an in-depth knowledge of the aesthetic properties of structure and surface, space and scale, materials, furniture, artifacts, textiles, lighting and the ability to research and solve problems creatively in ways that pertain to the function, quality and effect of specific interior programs.  Knowledge of human factors and theories of human behavior related to the built environment that can inform interior design.
  • Develop design solutions that pertain to the functional and behavioral requirements of specific interior design problems. Students are expected to synthesize the design solutions by using materials, furniture, textiles, color, lighting and space planning. This requires that students understand the technical issues of human factors, including areas such as programming, environmental control systems, anthropometrics, ergonomics and proximities. The ability to integrate human factor considerations with design elements is essential.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the technical aspects of construction and building systems and energy conservation, as well as working knowledge of legal codes and regulations related to construction, environmental systems and human health and safety, and the ability to apply such knowledge appropriately in specific projects.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate concepts and requirements to the broad spectrum of professionals and clients involved or potentially involved with interior design projects. Such communication involves verbal, written and representational media in both two and three dimensions, and encompasses a range from initial sketch to finished design.
  • Demonstrate functional knowledge of production elements such as installation procedures, project management and specification of materials and equipment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history of art, architecture, decorative arts and interior design.
  • Demonstrate functional knowledge of basic business practices and ethical practices in interior design.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research theories and methodologies related to or concerned with interior design.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply their learning and become oriented to the working profession, through field experience, internships or participation in interior design organizations.

Program Description

Follow your passion for design, pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Interior Design, and become an Interior Designer. Our B.S. degree program prepares graduates with knowledge and skills that enable them to pursue many career opportunities in interior design, interior architecture, architectural design, facility planning, building construction industry and many other design-related fields. The well-crafted curriculum includes Purdue University Fort Wayne general education courses, interior design core courses and the sequential design studio courses from freshmen to senior level.

The two sequential capstone courses include departmental approved interdisciplinary courses that allow students to develop an area of design specialty in healthcare design, educational design, hospitality design, retail design, and residential design as well as many other different design specialties. Students will also receive lots of personal attention and experience including a semester-long practicum and the exciting senior exhibition at the conclusion of your coursework. As you graduate from the Interior Design program, you have acquired a broad skill set required for an interior designer.

Accreditation:

  • The Department of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Program Delivery:

  • Department of Art and Design courses are offered on campus, with some distance and hybrid course offerings. 

Declaring this major - B.S. Interior Design

  • The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Interior Design is a four-year program that provides graduates with knowledge and skills that enable them to pursue many career opportunities in interior design, interior architecture, architectural design, facility planning, building construction industry and many other design related fields.

General Requirements:

Specific admission requirements for program - See “Declaring this major” above.

Program Requirements:


Interior Design 4-Yr. Plan:  

General Education Requirements Credits: 33


  • Click on the General Education  Requirements link for details
  • A grade of C- or higher is required in each course used to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.  Courses may be retaken if minimum grade requirement is not met.
  • Interior Design students may not take the following Art and Design courses for General Education credits; this includes AD 10101, AD 10801, AD 13300, AD 16500, AD 23900.

Category A1 Written Communication Cr. 6.

Category A2 Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.

Category A3 Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.

Category B5 Social/Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.

Category B7 Humanistic/Artistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.

Interior Design Content Field: Credits 87


Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each required INTD course; courses may be re-taken in order to fulfill this requirement.

Third Year Interior Design Courses: Credits 24


AD 11100 counts twice in the Interior Design program, once in the general education area, and a second time in the Third Year Interior Design Courses; credits are counted in general education area.

Minimum Grade Requirements


Students must have a minimum grade of C- or better on all classes for credit towards their degree. Classes below a C- grade may be retaken for a qualifying grade as needed.

Credit By Self-Acquired Competency


Credit by Self-Acquired Competency is at the discretion of the department and evaluated on an individual basis.

Self-Paced Courses


Independent study classes are sometimes available and at the discretion of both the course instructor and chair of the department.

Total Credits: 120


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

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