Interior Design (B.S.)

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

Visual Arts Building 117 ~ 260-481-6709

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The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Interior Design prepares graduates for the interior design profession, in commercial and residential design. The interior design curriculum provides a solid and diverse experience for students to develop fundamental technical and conceptual skills through the sequential course structure from freshmen to senior level. Along with the interior design studio courses, the program electives allow students to gain knowledge and experience in technical areas, such as building systems and construction.

The two sequential capstone courses and departmental-approved interdisciplinary topic courses allow students to develop an area of design specialty for their senior project for exhibition. These projects include health care design, educational design, hospitality design, retail design, residential design, as well as many other design specialties. In the final semester, a practicum/internship experience is required, where students work in a professional setting.

Declaring this major - B.S. Interior Design

• Students who wish to pursue a B.S. degree in Interior Design can declare this major during the admissions process or inquire within the Department of Art and Design if they wish to declare or change to this major after admission. 

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 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.

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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. 

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General Requirements:

• Degree Requirements  
• General Education Requirements  
• Overlapping Content  
• Academic Regulations