Charles Lewis, Program Chair
(585) 475-6357, cflfaa@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 School of Design offers a BFA program in interior design. The curriculum 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 (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Foundation Studies: | ||
| Freshman Electives | 4 | |
| 2010-211 | Vector Imaging 2010-216 or Raster Imaging | 2 |
| 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 |
| Majors must take each of the following courses to complete the sophomore year (prerequisite: completion of foundation studies): | ||
| 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 |
| Majors must take each of these courses in sequence to complete junior year in interior design (prerequisite: completion of sophomore year):‡ | ||
| 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 | ||
| Majors must take these courses to complete senior year in interior design (prerequisite: completion of junior 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 | Surv.Art & Arch (LAS Perspectives 1) | 3 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design II | 3 |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | 3 |
| INDE-112 | Design Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTH -136 | Surv.Art&Arch (LAS Perspectives 2) | 3 |
| First Year Writing | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| INDE-201 | Intro to Interior Design | 3 |
| INDE-202 | Design Drawing II | 3 |
| INDE-203 | Digital Graphics (SMTL) | 3 |
| CIAS Studio Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Perspectives 3 | 3 | |
| INDE-222 | Design Issues | 3 |
| INDE-207 | Color & Lighting | 3 |
| INDE-212 | Hospitality Design | 3 |
| CIAS Studio Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Perspectives 4 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| ARTH-345 | Intro Design History I | 3 |
| INDE-301 | Office Design | 3 |
| INDE-303 | Materials & Specifications. | 3 |
| CIAS Studio Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| ARTH-346 | Intro Design History II | 3 |
| INDE-302 | Retail Design | 3 |
| INDE-304 | Building Systems | 3 |
| CIAS Studio Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| INDE-401 | Multi-Story/Purpose Des | 4 |
| INDE-405 | Business Practices & Career Planning (WI) | 3 |
| INDE-407 | Contract Documents | 4 |
| LAS Immersions 3 | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| INDE-402 | Special Projects | 3 |
| INDE-403 | Health Care Design | 3 |
| LAS Elective (SMTL) | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
* Studio Elective courses are those designated with studio/lab hours listed in the course description