At Stephens, a young woman begins her career in interior design as soon as she arrives on campus. Students receive professional preparation, absorbing both theoretical and practical approaches designing residential,
commercial, retail and health care environments.

QUICK FACTS

• Learn from industry leaders in the classroom and work with real clients as part of your required internship
  
• Expand your horizons by studying abroad through an affiliation at American InterContinental University in London or the Paris American Academy
  
• Study related majors of Fashion Design and Product Development, Fashion Marketing and Management, Fashion Communication, and Graphic Design
  
• Enter the profession with sound creative experience, solid research skills and a strong work portfolio
  
• Combine with a minor such as Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Mass Media, Digital Filmmaking or Creative Writing
  
• Join the Stephens College student chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), a nationally recognized association for interior designers

B.F.A. IN INTERIOR DESIGN
A career in the interior design profession requires the ability to address the functionality and beauty of a space. As a freshman, you will begin to develop these abilities while exploring the various aspects of the design industry. Coursework is a mix of expert knowledge and hands-on
projects. You will study colors, textiles, finishes, material fundamentals, codes, acoustics, ergonomics, hand drawing, computer-generated drawing, lighting and sustainable environment management. The various studios focus on each path of design: commercial, residential, health care and retail design.

Through the Stephens hands-on approach, you will develop
professional-level presentation skills as well as technical skills, which will allow you to develop concepts, formulate proposals and execute all phases of a project—from design to construction. Build your technical skills and stretch your creativity while becoming more familiar with the industry and delving into concepts of sustainability, ergonomics and special populations. In your senior capstone course, you will work hand-in-hand with a mentor on a design project reflecting your specific area of interest.

ALUMNAE
Stephens alumnae are attentive to the cultural climate, cognizant of people’s psychological needs, conversant with technology, well-versed in hand skills, knowledgeable about materials, and fluent in the language of color and texture. They have good business skills, know how to succeed in their profession, can communicate their ideas to a diverse range of clients, and share a strong professional ethic. Successful alumnae include Dee David ’67, Dee David Company, Falls Church, Va., Diane Deen ’68, ., Miami; Jessica Lagrange ’79, Lagrange Mann
Interiors, Chicago; and Kay Nadel ’65, Chaney Design, Scottsdale, Ariz.

PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER SKILLS:

• Analyze client’s needs, goals and life safety requirements
  
• Integrate findings with knowledge of interior design
  
• Formulate preliminary design concepts that are aesthetic, appropriate and functional, and in accordance with codes and standards
  
• Develop and present final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media
  
• Prepare working drawings and specifications for non-load-bearing interior construction, reflected ceiling plans, lighting, interior detailing, materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures and equipment in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines and all applicable codes
  
• Collaborate with professional services of other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval
  
• Prepare specifications, floor plans, 3D drawings and contract documents; administer bids; and
  evaluate design solutions for all projects
  
  This definition is endorsed by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and major interior design associations of North America.
  

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