Semester Requirements
Nancy Chwiecko, Program Chair
(585) 475-6760, nacfaa@rit.edu
Program overview
Interior design is the creative integration of form, materials, function, and aesthetics within interior space. Students develop an understanding of, and sensitivity to, history, future technology, environment, economics, architecture, and societal needs by exploring projects that develop aesthetic understanding, technical proficiencies, and preparation for professional certification and licensing. The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
The school maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including Industrial Designers Society of America, ACM Siggraph, Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, American Society of Interior Designers, American Institute of Architects, ICOGRADA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and International Interior Design Association.
Curriculum
The BFA in interior design integrates major courses, studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art/design history. Computer skills, design perspectives, career preparation, and exposure to the related areas of publishing, photography, engineering, and information technology are integrated into the curriculum.
Interior design, BFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH -135 | LAS Perspective 1: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar† | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design II | 3 |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | 3 |
| INDE-112 | Design Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH -136 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 2: First Year Writing | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| INDE-201 | Introduction to Interior Design | 3 |
| INDE-202 | Design Drawing II | 3 |
| INDE-203 | Digital Graphics (SMTL) | 3 |
| Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| LAS Perspectives 3 | 3 | |
| INDE-222 | Design Issues | 3 |
| INDE-207 | Color and Lighting | 3 |
| INDE-212 | Hospitality Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspectives 4 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| ARTH-345 | Introduction to Design History I | 3 |
| INDE-301 | Office Design | 3 |
| INDE-303 | Materials and Specifications | 3 |
| Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| ARTH-346 | Introduction to Design History II | 3 |
| INDE-302 | Retail Design | 3 |
| INDE-304 | Building Systems | 3 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| INDE-401 | Multi-Story/Purpose Design | 4 |
| INDE-405 | Business Practices and Career Planning (WI) | 3 |
| INDE-407 | Contract Documents | 4 |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| INDE-402 | Special Projects | 3 |
| INDE-403 | Health Care Design | 3 |
| LAS Elective (SMTL) | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.
‡ Studio elective courses are those designated with studio/lab hours listed in the course description.
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Click to view program requirements in the Quarter Calendar
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
Interior design is the creative integration of form, materials, function, and aesthetics within interior space. Students develop an understanding of, and sensitivity to, history, future technology, environment, economics, architecture, and societal needs by exploring projects that develop aesthetic understanding, technical proficiencies, and preparation for professional certification and licensing. The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
The school maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations, including Industrial Designers Society of America, ACM Siggraph, Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, American Society of Interior Designers, American Institute of Architects, ICOGRADA, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and International Interior Design Association.
Curriculum
The BFA program in interior design integrates major courses, studio and open electives, the liberal arts, and art/design history. Computer skills, design perspectives, career preparation, and exposure to the related areas of publishing, photography, engineering, and information technology are integrated into the curriculum.
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Interior design, BFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Freshman Electives | 4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 2 | |
| 2010-211 | Vector Imaging | |
| 2010-216 | Raster Imaging | |
| 2013-211, 212, 213 | Drawing I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-231, 232, 233 | 2D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-241, 242, 243 | 3D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| 2015-222 | Design Survey | 2 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1720-050, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| 2015-305 | Architectural Drawing | 3 |
| 2015-306 | Perspective Drawing | 3 |
| 2015-307 | Introduction to Interior Design | 3 |
| 2015-308 | Computer-Aided Design Applications | 3 |
| 2015-311 | Model Building and Human Dimension | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 9-12 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 2039-306, 307, 308 | History of Architecture and Furniture | 9 |
| 2015-404 | Hospitality Design | 3 |
| 2015-405 | Application of Color and Light | 3 |
| 2015-406 | Retail Design | 3 |
| 2015-407 | Building Construction Systems | 3 |
| 2015-408 | Office Design and Planning | 3 |
| 2015-409 | Interior Specifications | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 9 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 2015-504 | Multipurpose/Multistory Design | 4 |
| 2015-505 | Building Codes and Regulations | 2 |
| 2015-506 | Environmental Control Applications | 3 |
| 2015-507 | Healthcare Design | 4 |
| 2015-508 | Interior Design Business Practices | 2 |
| 2015-509 | Career Planning | 2 |
| 2015-510 | Working Drawings | 4 |
| 2015-511 | Special Projects | 3 |
| Open Electives | 18-24 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 193 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Additional special topics courses may be required.
Interior design, BFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH -135 | LAS Perspective 1: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design II | 3 |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | 3 |
| INDE-112 | Design Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH -136 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| INDE-201 | Introduction to Interior Design | 3 |
| INDE-202 | Design Drawing II | 3 |
| INDE-203 | Digital Graphics (SMTL) | 3 |
| Studio Electives† | 6 | |
| LAS Perspectives 3 | 3 | |
| INDE-222 | Design Issues | 3 |
| INDE-207 | Color and Lighting | 3 |
| INDE-212 | Hospitality Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspectives 4 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| ARTH-345 | Introduction to Design History I | 3 |
| INDE-301 | Office Design | 3 |
| INDE-303 | Materials and Specifications | 3 |
| Studio Electives† | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| ARTH-346 | Intro Design History II | 3 |
| INDE-302 | Retail Design | 3 |
| INDE-304 | Building Systems | 3 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| INDE-401 | Multi-Story/Purpose Design | 4 |
| INDE-405 | Business Practices and Career Planning (WI) | 3 |
| INDE-407 | Contract Documents | 4 |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| INDE-402 | Special Projects | 3 |
| INDE-403 | Health Care Design | 3 |
| LAS Elective (SMTL) | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Studio slective courses are those designated with studio/lab hours listed in the course description