Interior Design

Department Chair: Monica McMurry, M.S.

Design Faculty:
James Dahm, M.F.A.
Lee Ann Fields, M.S.
Robert Friedman, M.F.A.
Ann Giddens, B.F.A.

Interdepartmental Faculty:
Pamela Shackleford, M.B.A.
James Terry, Ph.D.

As part of the Department of Design and Fashion, interior design students learn that good design balances creative expression and marketable function. Students will work with instructors who are practicing interior designers to develop their own creative styles while exploring all facets of the interior design industry. Coursework is a strong mix of expert knowledge and hands-on projects. In addition, this BFA is enriched through a strong grounding in the liberal arts along with the possibility for student chosen minors.

Advancing through this program allows students to become more familiar with the industry and delve into concepts of sustainability, ergonomics and special populations. Along the way, students employ greater use of technology and gain real-world experience. The culmination of the program is a Senior Capstone course that provides the student with the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with a mentor on a design project reflecting her specific area of interest.

Graduates of our program prepare themselves for positions such as consultants, project managers, owning their own home furnishing business, a manufactures representative or designing their own furniture or fabric. All students will be given the education, experience and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces.

Requirements for the B.F.A. in Interior Design

The bachelor of fine arts major in interior design requires the completion of liberal arts requirements and 85 semester hours of coursework in the major, including an internship. Students must earn a C- or better in all required courses within the bachelor of fine arts in interior design program. Students may not continue to the next level class until the prerequisite class is passed with a C- or better.

Required Courses

ARH 101: The History of Art (3 hrs.)
ART 105: Beginning Drawing (3 hrs.)
GDE 110: Principles of Design (3 hrs.)
BUS 250: Marketing (3 hrs.)
IDS 101: Interior Design Survey I: Residential and Retail (3 hrs.)
IDS 102: Interior Design Survey II: Commercial and Healthcare (3 hrs.)
IDS 200: Drawing for Interiors (3 hrs.)
IDS 201: Interior Design Studio I: Residential Design (3 hrs.)
IDS 202: Interior Design Studio II: Retail Design (3 hrs.)
IDS 203: Textiles (3 hrs.)
IDS 204: Codes and Building & Interior Systems (3 hrs.)
IDS 205: Interior Materials: Furniture/Finishes/Fixtures (3 hrs.)
IDS 206: Lighting/Acoustics/Human Factors (3 hrs.)
IDS 207: Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (3 hrs.)
IDS 215: History of Interiors & Architecture I (3 hrs.)
IDS 301: Interior Design Studio III: Commercial Design (3 hrs.)
IDS 302: Interior Design Studio IV: Healthcare Design (3 hrs.)
IDS 303: Advanced Lighting/Acoustics/Human Factors/Textiles (3 hrs.)
IDS 307: Advanced CADD and Presentation Techniques (3 hrs.)
IDS 375: History of Interiors & Architecture II (3 hrs.)
IDS 394: Pre-Internship Seminar (1 hr.)
IDS 401: Applied Interior Design Project Research (5 hrs.)
IDS 402: Applied Interior Design Project Studio/BFA Senior Exhibition (5 hrs.)
IDS 468: Portfolio Development (2 hrs.)
IDS 496: Post-Internship Seminar (2 hrs.)
IDS 497: Senior Practicum (2 hrs.)
IDS 499: Senior Practicum/Professional Practice and Ethics (3 hrs.)
LGS 302: Professional Communication (3 hrs.)

Interior Design Courses

IDS 101: Interior Design Survey I: Residential and Retail
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
Survey course that overviews the interior design profession and its history, industry and related career areas. The residential and retail design specialties are explored through hands-on projects working with practicing interior designers, contractors and developers. Basic space planning, color development, furnishings, and materials selections are addressed.

IDS 102: Interior Design Survey II: Commercial and Healthcare
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 101 or permission of instructor.)
Introduction to the commercial and health care segments of the interior design field. Hands-on and field work projects are utilized to further students' knowledge of materials and space planning of large scale, public spaces.

IDS 200: Drawing for Interiors (3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: ART 105 or permission of instructor.)
Students practice a variety of visual communication techniques including orthographic, isometric, axonometric and perspective drawings and quick sketching. Rendering skills are developed as student's practice rendering interior elements in detail, including finishes, fabrics and accessories. A variety of media is used to represent light, texture, color, value and form. 3-D design theory is discussed.

IDS 201: Interior Design Studio I: Residential Design
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 101 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Study of the concepts and requirements in residential interior design. Appropriate research methods and programming of client requirements are introduced as well as techniques of diagramming space to provide proper circulation and activity relationships. Design concept, image, color and finishes are emphasized in hands-on projects. Students will consider environmental concerns in their designs. Practicing professionals will critique final projects.

IDS 202: Interior Design Studio II: Retail Design
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 101 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Study of the concepts, programming, space planning and functional and aesthetic aspects of retail environments. Design concept, image, color and finishes are emphasized in hands-on projects. Practicing professions will critique final projects.

IDS 203: Textiles
(3 hrs.)
(Student attends FAS 203 the first 7 weeks, then continues with IDS 203.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 101 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
First section is a study of textiles with emphasis on the interrelationships of fibers, yarn structures, fabric construction, dyeing, printing, and finishes. Application of this knowledge to an understanding of textile behavior and how the fabric determines the character, performance and care of a garment. Students research new fibers and government legislation related to textiles.

Second section covers properties of residential, contract fabrics, and their application. Fabric resources, typical sampling, specifying, estimating yardage, maintenance and manufacturing processes are researched and discussed.

IDS 204: Codes and Building & Interior Systems
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students.)
Studies the various regulations that govern the design, construction, and occupancy of building interiors relative to public health, safety, and welfare. Discussions of the responsibilities of interior designers to incorporate code requirements into their work. Administrative provisions, testing standards, occupancy requirements, fire detection and suppression, zoning ordinances, state building codes, egress and barrier-free accessibility (ADA) are covered. Field trips to actual construction locations will occur.

IDS 205: Interior Materials: Furniture/Finishes/Fixtures
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: FAS 203/IDS 203 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Study of the interior finish materials and component systems used in the design profession; their properties, performance, application, limitations and installation techniques, plus presentation methods including sample boards, as well as the appropriate trade sources. Methods of learning how to locate, evaluate, and modify such items as upholstered furniture, kitchen and bath equipment, hardware, floor and wall finishes, window treatments, and office systems are studied. Emphasis is placed on the preparation and development of specifications.

IDS 206: Lighting/Acoustics/Human Factors
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students.)
Focus on principles of lighting and acoustics in the interior environment. Lighting design basics will be studied, including criteria, calculations, planning and layout. Human factors, including ergonomics, anthropometrics and psychological and social influences are addressed. Students will visit and work alongside a variety of professional interior specialists, project managers and technicians.

IDS 207: Computer-Aided Design and Drafting
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 200 with a C- or better)
Students study general concepts of 2-dimensionaldrafting applications such as floor plans, furniture plans, reflected ceiling plans, and elevations. Using Vector-works/CADD, students create, store, modify, and plot drawings.

IDS 215: History of Interiors & Architecture I
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: LBA 108.)
Study of the history and theory of architecture, furniture, interiors and decorative arts from ancient times through mid-1800's. Emphasis on the major design periods such as Archaeological, Classic Revival, Baroque, Rococo and Neo-Classical in Middle and Western Europe, Britain and the United States. Examination of the significance and application to current design problems. Writing intensive, includes scholarship by and about women and ethnic minorities, plus the history and traditions of the major.

IDS 301: Interior Design Studio III: Commercial Design
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 102 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Students engage in more complex projects emphasizing in-depth research and design analysis methods and advanced programming for large-scale commercial environments. Hands-on projects result in functional and aesthetic design solutions. Application and knowledge of building codes and ADA compliance are further developed in design project assignments. Practicing professionals will critique final projects.

IDS 302: Interior Design Studio IV: Healthcare Design
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 102 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Advanced design course in which students use in-depth research and design analysis methods to explore specific user-group requirements which address cultural, behavioral, and quality-of-life issues. Hands-on projects will result in functional and aesthetic design solutions. Practicing interior designers and architects will critique final projects.

IDS 303: Advanced Lighting/Acoustics/Human Factors/Textiles
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: FAS 203/IDS 205 with a C- or better.)
Advanced study of lighting design expands students' skills by solving creative and technical design problems. Students are familiarized with lighting design strategies, graphics and circuiting techniques, creation of specification booklets and basic dimming systems, as well as specialty topics such as decorative luminaries and energy efficiency. The influence of lighting on color phenomena and related psychological effects is explored.

IDS 307: Advanced CADD and Presentation Techniques
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 200 with a C- or better.)
Emphasis on graphic communication as part of the design and communication process for interior designers. Integration of drawing skills and color usage employed in graphic representational methods used to analyze and describe interiors and conceptual ideas.

IDS 375: History of Interiors & Architecture II
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 215 with a C- or better.)
Study of the history and theory of architecture, furniture, interiors and decorative arts from themid-1800's to present day. Emphasis on the major design periods in Middle and Western Europe and the United States, including the Machine Age, Arts and Crafts, Deco, Innovations and the rise of Modernism. Examination of the significance and application to current design problems, as well as the evolution of the practice and role of the design professional in society. Writing intensive, includes scholarship by and about women and ethnic minorities, plus the history and traditions of the major.

IDS 394: Pre-Internship Seminar
(1 hr.)
(Prerequisite: completion of at least three upper-level courses in interior design; junior or senior standing; or permission of instructor; cross-listed as FAS 394)
A seven-week course to prepare students for the internship experience and the job search. Seminar topics include: networking; constructing a letter of application and résumé; and interviewing and applying internship requirements to specific employers. Qualified internship must take place in a qualified design office, industry showroom or trade/workroom/fabricate or, comprise 140 hours of substantive work and be approved by the ID department.

IDS 401: Applied Interior Design Project Research
(5 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 302 with a C- or better, senior standing.)
This in-depth capstone course for the I.D. degree is designed to give students the opportunity to integrate all aspects of interior design into one major project reflecting the student's chosen design interest. Students will obtain, develop and analyze data and design criteria and devise a creative concept specific to their selected areas of study. Faculty and a professional mentor will guide design development. Capstone class.

IDS 402: Applied Interior Design Project Studio/BFA Senior Exhibition
(5 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 401 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.)
Based on the research completed the previous semester, students prepare a capstone project in interior design which synthesizes space planning, building regulations, accessibility, lighting, furniture layouts, color finishes and materials, furniture and furnishings selections, details, and their selected methods of presentation/communication. Project will culminate with a presentation/exhibit to an audience of invited professional designers, faculty and peers. Capstone course

IDS 468: Portfolio Development
(2 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: IDS 497 with a C- or better, concurrent enrollment in IDS 402, and senior standing.)
Emphasis on finished group of original designs for the final portfolio, which includes a résumé, letter of application and self-promotion piece. May be critiqued by an industry professional at formal presentation. Advanced look at common situations associated with professional interior design practice, including contracts, procurement and billing procedures, fees, marketing and sales efforts, public relations, professional ethics, office organization, estimating, and progress scheduling. Capstone class.

IDS 496: Post-Internship Seminar
(2 hrs.)
(Prerequisites: IDS 394 with a C- or better; cross-listed as FAS 496.)
Examination of case studies on the internship experience. A seven-week course in which the student reflects on her personal internship experience and shares the internship experiences of fellow learners. Emphasis is placed on the student's assessment of her own work performance, the employment environment and the internship employer. Critical thinking through effective problem solving is encouraged through the analysis and development of case studies based on the internship experience. Additionally, moral and ethical issues confronted in the work environment are examined. The student will explore post-graduation opportunities for employment that build on her internship experience.

IDS 497: Senior Practicum
(2 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in IDS 401.)
This course offers an opportunity for students to actively work in the interior design field by working on a school-sponsored project in the local community. Possible projects include: working with Habitat for Humanity, the Public Housing Authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development or local contractors and developers.

IDS 499: Senior Practicum/Professional Practice and Ethics
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: LPR 302, IDS 497 with a C- or better, concurrent enrollment IDS 402, and senior standing.)
Students will continue to work on school-sponsored projects, such as building a home or public building. In addition, students take a practice NCDIQ exam. Examination of the profession of interior design including professional standards and practices as well as history, documents, organizations, trade resources, certification, management and ethics. Business methods, developing client relationships and client record-keeping techniques are discussed. Students will write project proposals. Ethics course.

Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings, projects) may be proposed to the fashion faculty by a student who wishes to investigate a subject not otherwise available. All independent studies are subject to the approval of the design and fashion faculty. Information about independent study may be obtained in department offices or in the Office of the Registrar.