INTERIOR DESIGN COURSES

COURSES FOR INTERIOR DESIGN MAJOR

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• Introduction to Interior DesignThis course is an introduction to the profession of interior design. Students will be introduced to the design process, basic design vocabulary and various presentation skills and techniques. Professional practices and responsibilities, trade resources, and the value of design organizations will be discussed. Through a series of projects and activities and an exploration of the work of notable interior designers and architects, students will begin to identify the various aspects of interior design to which they personally respond.
• Elements of Design IThis course introduces students to the basic principles and elements used in two dimensional design solutions with emphasis on the use of line, shape, pattern, and rhythm. Course work will offer students the opportunity to develop an aesthetic vocabulary, abstract problem solving skills and the ability to evaluate the design process independently and critically.
• History of InteriorsThis course is a survey of interior design, decoration, and furnishings throughout history. Emphasis is given to the historical and cultural influences that have affected the design of the interior environment from antiquity through the nineteenth century.
• Drawing and CompositionThis course introduces students to various methods, techniques, and media related to drawing and composition. Students will draw both figuratively and abstractly and will explore drawing as both a tool to communicate visual information and as a means of self expression. Course content provides the opportunity for the development of aesthetic and analytical skills, and a design vocabulary that allows for critical evaluation and discussion.
• Architectural Drafting IThis course introduces the tools, techniques, and skills necessary for architectural drafting. Emphasis is on lettering, line weight, dimensioning systems, graphic standards and the methods used to produce accurate drawings of a building and its site.
• Elements of Design IIThis course introduces students to the ordering principles used for organizing and defining the relationship of space and form. Students develop concepts and express them volumetrically in three-dimensional projects and massing models. Design vocabulary and analytical skills learned in previous design courses will be applied and expanded.
• Quick SketchingThe student will learn skills for developing and communicating ideas and concepts involving objects and interiors through quick freehand sketches in various media. Rapid visualization and perspective drawing techniques will be introduced and investigated in timed drawing exercises and sketchbook studies. The development of a personal style is encouraged.
• Color Theory and Application This course introduces students to the aesthetic, historical, perceptual, scientific, and psychological aspects of color and light and the implication of color principles and theories to interior design. Students will explore color through experimentation, observation, and evaluation. Contemporary design projects will be analyzed for their use of color theory.
• Interior Design IThis is the first studio in a sequential series of design courses in which students apply their skills, knowledge, and understanding of the design process to small-scale residential and commercial projects. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of design elements and principles, spatial organization and sequencing, human anthropometrics and conceptual problem solving in three-dimensional space.
• Architectural Drafting IIThis course is a continuation of Architectural Drafting I. Students will prepare working drawings consisting of floor plans, sections, elevations, details and schedules using graphic standards appropriate to the industry.
• TextilesThis course introduces students to the technical and aesthetic aspects of textiles and their use in interior design. Emphasis is placed on product knowledge, specifications, technology, safety, testing, and terminology. New textiles and fibers and their application and performance will be studied.
• Perspective/RenderingThis course is designed to teach students to generate perspective drawings by mechanical construction. Color rendering techniques will be introduced as students continue to build on skills acquired in Drawing, Quick Sketch and Drafting II. Various media will be demonstrated and applied to perspective drawings and floor plans.
• Interior Design IIThis is the second studio in a sequential series of design courses. Students will be introduced to programming, specifications, code requirements, and the use of systems furniture as they relate to planning small commercial facilities. Emphasis is on the design process using space planning concepts and methods, problem solving, and application of design theory specific to commercial office environments. Students are introduced to evidence-based design theory.
• Building Codes and StandardsThis course examines current building code requirements, life safety and environmental issues, occupancies and building classifications, exiting, universal and barrier-free standards and requirements in both residential and non-residential structures. Students study code-mandated materials and methods of construction, sustainability guidelines, project liabilities and state regulations.
• Computer Aided Design IThis course is an introduction to computer-aided drafting using AutoCAD. Students will be taught to use CAD software effectively to create computer-generated floor plans, elevations and details that meet current industry standards.
• Environmental PsychologyThis course will address the complex relationships between people and the spaces they inhabit. Students will study how people perceive and use space. Issues of privacy, crowding, territoriality, and noise will be related to the various ways people behave at home and in the workplace.
• Ideas in Art and ArchitectureThis course is a survey of art and architecture from ancient Greece through the 20th Century. Students will be taught to examine and analyze art and architecture contextually. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship of artistic expression to the artist's choices within the context of a specific time and place.
• Interior Design IIIThis is the third studio in a sequential series of design courses. Building on previously studied design concepts, students work collaboratively to apply their knowledge and skills in the production of a comprehensive hospitality design project. Projects emphasize research, creative problem solving, effective communication, sustainability and the application of LEED C-I standards.
• Computer Aided Design IIThis course is a continuation of CAD I. Students will learn advanced software commands and the use of AutoCAD in preparing construction documents. They will create a block library of industry standard symbols and details and will learn methods of organizing information regarding the built environment in an electronic format.
• Building SystemsThis course explores the components of interior construction and building systems as they relate to the interior design professional. The course emphasizes the understanding of the structural and non-structural envelope and the distribution systems, including power, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and data and voice communications as they work individually and collectively with various control and security systems to define interior space.
• Materials and ApplicationsIn this course students will examine non-textile based materials, available resources, and methods of production, construction and installation. Through a study of current product applications, they will learn how to select, specify and apply appropriate materials and finishes on the basis of aesthetics, material cost, environmental impact and performance.
• Interior Design IVThis is an advanced studio course focused on the design of a large-scale residential living/working environment. Students will be expected to analyze site and building conditions and the client's needs and project budget to determine a rationale for appropriating space, furniture and equipment. The proposed design concept will be communicated in a variety of presentation formats ranging from preliminary schematics to a full set of construction documents.
• Lighting DesignThis course is an introduction to basic lighting design theory and the technical requirements related to residential and commercial lighting systems. Students will be given the opportunity to develop skill and knowledge in lighting design and the ability to create functional, code compliant, and aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions for various design projects.
• Digital PresentationThis course introduces students to Adobe Photoshop and its value as a highly creative tool for organizing digital images for use in various graphic presentation formats. Using Photoshop software, students will learn to capture and digitally manipulate images and text in ways that can be used expressively in both digital and printed presentation documents and materials.
• Computer Aided Design IIIIn this course, students will use and build on the computer skills learned in CAD II to create a complete set of construction documents including a site plan, a demolition plan, a partition plan, various finish and equipment plans and schedules, a furniture plan, a reflected ceiling plan, and elevations, sections and details of partitions and millwork. 3D visualization on CAD is introduced.
• Interior Design VThis is an advanced design studio course for seniors. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired from previous courses by completing a large-scale institutional healthcare design project. Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to creatively apply evidence-based research in the development of the physical site to utilize ideation throughout concept development and to successfully communicate design solutions using a variety of digital and hand-rendered presentation techniques.
• Furniture DesignThis course is an introduction and overview of furniture and case-good design. Students will study construction techniques, design, and materials associated with casework, tables and seating for commercial and residential interiors. Preparation of detailed working drawings, models, and presentation drawings are emphasized in this course.
• InternshipThis course is an introduction to the interior design profession through directed course work and practical work experience at participating design and architectural firms. Students will complete 180 hours of practical work experience (Practicum) under the supervision of the Program Director and the host organization. Students are allowed two semesters to complete the Internship.
• 20th Century ArchitectureThis survey course is an introduction to the architectural movements of the 20th Century. Students will study noted architects, key buildings and furniture, and will examine specific design movements in terms of their social and historical context.
• Senior ProjectThis final studio course honors and reflects design as a contextual "living in the world" tradition. Students will speak with a personal voice in the design of a complex thesis-based project that demonstrates the understanding that all design decisions are an essential part of a diverse framework encompassing a wide range of cultural, socio-economic, political and environmental issues. Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to create a project that successfully demonstrates all aspects of the design process, as well as the skills and knowledge they have learned to this point in their studies in the presentation of an evidence-based creative solution to a self-defined issue or implication. Students are expected to utilize research methodology to organize and define their project thesis. An aspect of the project solution is the use of appropriate methods to effectively communicate research findings as well as effective presentation techniques used to express the proposed design concept. Senior project presentations are evaluated by a multi-disciplinary panel of jurors.
• Business PracticesThis course explores standard business procedures commonly associated with the practice of interior design. Students will study various types of design practices, financial management and compensation, ethical practices, professional development, legal liability, and issues related to licensing and certification. The management of a typical interior design project will be studied, including writing proposals and contracts, specifications, bidding procedures, budgets, construction schedules, contractor negotiations and collaboration, and project administration.
• Portfolio and Presentation TechniquesThis course focuses on the organization and preparation of a portfolio showcasing a student's creative work in preparation for employment in the field of interior design. Students will explore visual composition and organization, document assembly methods and various reproduction and image management techniques. Computer photo editing and printing, paper and digital portfolio preparation, and the implications of using a portfolio in the interview process for employment are emphasized.

COURSES FOR GENERAL EDUCATION

• English CompositionThis course will focus on the various forms of academic writing. Emphasis will be on the organization and development of ideas in relation to the writer's subject, purpose, and audience.
• Oral CommunicationThis course will focus on the development of communication and presentation skills through a study of both contemporary communication theory and traditional approaches to public address. Students will learn how to research, prepare and deliver presentations. The interpersonal skills of listening to, and critiquing, presentations will also be taught.
• Critical ThinkingThis course is an introduction to the elements and methods of critical thinking and its application through discussion and writing. Drawing on enduring principles, the course will focus on critical evaluation, solving problems, making decisions and applying reason to all aspects of communication.
• Philosophy and ValuesThis course is an introductory study of philosophy and philosophical inquiry focusing on values and their place in life. The survey of philosophical orientations and the views of philosophers are drawn from classical and contemporary thinkers. Students are encouraged to formulate, analyze, and evaluate their own beliefs/positions in the context of value theory and meaningful philosophical inquiry.
• World LiteratureThis course is a survey of world literature from 1500 BCE - 1600 CE, including classic literature from Europe, the Americas, the Near East, Greece, Rome, India, China, Japan, Africa, and the Islamic world.
• Environmental StudiesThis course examines global environmental issues and the impact of human intervention on the earth's ecosystems. Topics include air and water pollution, finite and renewable energy sources, the impact of urbanization, destruction of rain forests, climate change, depletion of the ozone layer, waste disposal, hazardous waste treatment, environmental theories, philosophies, movements and politics.
• Cultural AnthropologyThis course is a comparative survey of world cultures and societies. Students will examine universal human behaviors developed and used throughout the world to meet various social, psychological, artistic, religious and economic needs.

GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE COURSES

• Concepts in Physics This course introduces basic concepts in physics through the study of motion, force, matter and energy. Students will explore phenomena encountered in everyday life. Topics include heat, light, color, momentum, equilibrium, sound, magnetism and gravity.
• Introduction to Oceanography This is an introductory course designed to acquaint the student with general oceanography. The topics include history of oceanography, sea floor properties, plate tectonics, properties of sea water, ocean currents, waves and tides, life in the sea, pollution, and the significance of the oceans to humans.
• Physical Geography The planet Earth; its structure, landforms, atmosphere, climate, vegetation, oceans, coastlines, processes and forms are the focus of this course.
• History of Modern ArtThis course is an historical survey of painting and sculpture from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. The art movements from Impressionism to Minimalism will be studied with reference to individual artists contextualized within the social, cultural and political events of the time.
• American LiteratureThis course will explore works of American fiction from 1850 to the present. Readings focus on individual writers, historical periods and thematic issues.
• MythologyThis course introduces students to mythic, symbolic and archetypal images and themes found in the various cultures of the world. By analyzing archetypal patterns, students will explore the unique motifs of these cultures and the commonality of mythic ideas.
• American History: 1865 to the Present This course traces the social, political and economic development of the United States from the Industrial Revolution to the present.
• World Politics This course explores selected problems and issues in current international relations and events through a comparative study of the cultural, historical, political, economic and ideological world views of specific countries or social groups.
• Developmental PsychologyThis course will focus on various areas of interest in the field of psychology including information processing, learning and memory, motivation, developmental processes and personality.
• World Civilizations to 1500 C.E. This course examines the origins and development of homo sapiens and the formation of the major civilizations of the world from circa 3000 B.C.E. to the dawn of the modern era and the creation of a global community in C. 1500 C.E. Emphasis will be placed on a comparative analysis of the institutions developed by various civilizations and to the interactions between them that were sometimes destructive, but other times mutually beneficial and enriching.

INTERIOR DESIGN ELECTIVE COURSES

• The Creative ProcessCreative expression is a natural human function that will be explored in this course. Students will use Julia Cameron's book, "The Artists's Way" as a text to unlock ideas and creativity.
• Kitchen and Bath DesignThis course provides an in-depth look at the complex issues impacting the design of kitchens and bathrooms. Students will examine effective work center planning strategies, equipment and fixture specifications, storage and cabinetry needs, and the selection of surfaces and finishes for performance and visual impact.
• Sustainable EnvironmentsThis course is an introduction to the theories and practices that encourage thoughtful planning of interior spaces within the context of environmental consciousness. Major considerations that will be addressed are land use, indoor air and light quality, energy efficiency and sustainable materials and resources. Evaluating built environments using the LEED rating system will be introduced and applied.
• Advanced Presentation SkillsThis course offers students the opportunity to enhance previously learned digital, as well as hand rendering skills, through the investigation and creative application of digitally enhanced images, expressive drawing techniques, and the use of other visual communication media.
• CAD XThis course explores the use of various digital and non-digital media currently employed in design practice to expedite design conceptualization and presentation. Advanced sketching and ideation techniques, perspective drawings, 2D/3D form manipulation, sculpting, customization and third party add-ons for CAD are among the topics of investigation.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM)This course offers students an opportunity to learn the basics of Building Information Modeling (BIM) using Revit® Architecture; a leading computer program capable of creating and managing information about a building using 3-D, "real-time", modeling software. Using Revit® Architecture, students will produce Building Information Models (abbreviated as BIMs), which define the geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and the quantities and properties of all the systems components that go into constructing the building.