Interior Design
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Interior Design
Requirements and Core Courses
Careers in Interior Design
Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
Contact Information
Interior Design
The interior design field focuses on enhancing the function and quality of interior spaces to improve quality of life, productivity, health, safety, and welfare. Interior design is a fine arts discipline tempered by the human sciences.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, master of arts (Spokane only), doctor of design
• Available at: Pullman, Spokane
(First- and second-year courses are taught in Pullman, third-year courses are offered at both campuses, and fourth-year courses are taught in Spokane. M.A. offered in Spokane only.)
Requirements and Core Courses
—Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
Requirements to enter the program are the same as those for the University. Like all undergraduate degrees offered at Washington State University, interior design students must complete 40 credits of general education requirements. Highly recommended general education courses for interior design students include those that explore human relationships (psychology, sociology, and diverse populations), the built environment, and all forms of communication (graphic, oral, and written).
Completing the undergraduate program requires 80 credits of interior design course work. After two years of study, students will present a portfolio to the faculty for certification into the major and advancement to upper-division courses. (Transfer students will be evaluated through their portfolio.)
The backbone of the interior design curriculum is the studio experience. First year projects focus on applying the basic elements and principles of design in two dimensions. The sophomore year introduces design in three dimensions and technical courses (materials and components, textiles). Upper-division courses merge aesthetics with technical issues through a variety of projects ranging from residential spaces to large commercial firms. The junior year introduces computer aided drafting via a new 24-station computer lab equipped with plotters, scanners, and color printers.
The Department sends 15 third-year students to the WSU Spokane campus (first- and second-year courses are taught only at the Pullman campus). Students are given the option of selecting either Pullman or Spokane for their third year of studies when they apply for certification. In the event that there are not enough requests to fill positions at either location, a selection process will be implemented to fill remaining positions. Portfolio Review notification letters will notify students as to whether they will spend their third year in Pullman or Spokane. Students accepting admission to the third year also accept the conditions of their place of study. Note: students offered positions in the third year courses at Spokane must promptly notify the Department of their acceptance of the position or another candidate will be offered the position. Students that are admitted must be registered for the fall semester and attend the first day of class to retain their position.
Students complete their final year at WSU Spokane at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute. The institute represents a unique collaboration among the design disciplines, with students and faculty from interior design, architecture, and landscape architecture working and learning together in a team-oriented, urban environment. As graduates, students will be able to take the initiative, make critical judgments of their own designs as well as others, and operate within a team context, all of which contribute to their future success as professionals.
FRESHMAN YEAR
ID 101—Design Issues
ID 102—Basic Environmental Design Studio
Arch 101—Graphic Communication
Arch 103—Visual Design
SOPHOMORE YEAR
ID 201—Perception and Communication I
ID 205—Visual Communication
ID 202—The Built Environment
ID 203—Perception and Communication II
ID 215—Materials & Components
ID 250—History of Design I
JUNIOR YEAR
ID 321—Fundamentals of Planning & Design I
ID 322—Interior Programming
ID 325—Interior Building Systems
ID 350—History of Design II
ID 396—Beginning Computer Applications (CAD)
ID 312—Interior Design Theory
ID 333—Fundamentals of Planning & Design II
ID 392—Professional Procedures
SENIOR YEAR
ID 415—Advanced Interior Construction and Detailing
ID 425—Advanced Planning and Design I
Arch 472—Construction Communication / Codes
ID 426—Advanced Planning and Design II
ID 460—Portfolio and Representation
ID 490 Internships
FIELD TRIP AND STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
ID 277—Interior Design Field Trip: Location Rotates
ID 477—Interior Design Field Trip: Location Rotates
NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.
Careers in Interior Design
Designers work in a wide range of settings, both commercial and residential. A majority of designers practice at least part of the time in both the residential and commercial areas. Most commercial designers concentrate within design specialties, such as designing for the hospitality or health care industries. Some specialize further by designing restaurants or residential kitchens and baths, interiors for airplanes or yachts, or historic conservation or restoration.
The professional interior designer:
• analyzes client’s needs, goals, and life safety requirements.
• integrates findings with knowledge of interior design.
• formulates preliminary design concepts that are aesthetic, appropriate, functional, and in accordance with codes and standards.
• develops and presents final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media.
• prepares working drawings and specifications for interior detailing, fixtures, and furnishings in compliance with accessibility guidelines and applicable codes.
• collaborates with professional services of other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical, and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval.
• prepares and administers bids and contract documents as the client’s agent.
• reviews and evaluates design solutions during implementation and upon completion.
For a list of design-oriented occupations, go to the American Society of Interior Designers: http://www.asid.org.
Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
• Effective people skills
• Strive for originality
• Embrace challenges
• Desire to be life-long learners
• Passion for the fine arts
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Interior design students may be eligible for financial assistance offered through the college as well as University-wide scholarships.
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
The Department of Human Development awards more $14,000 in scholarships annually. Students in the program are also eligible to compete for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Dean’s Merit Scholarship. Details regarding scholarship criteria are available on the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Web page and on the Department of Human Development Web site.
You may also be eligible for University scholarships and state or federal financial aid; visit the Scholarships section of our Web site (at left) for more information.
Contact Information
Department of Interior Design
Washington State University
PO Box 642435
Pullman, WA 99164-2435
bkemper@wsu.edu
509-335-4118
Interior Design at WSU Spokane
Interdisciplinary Design Institute
WSU Spokane
PO Box 1495
Spokane, WA 99210-1495
jturpin@wsu.edu
509-358-7511
Visit Department Web Page
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Department of Interior Design
Strengths of the Program
- Ranked 8th in the nation based on the satisfaction of professionals and firms that hire new graduates and twelfth in technology and facilities, according to Design Intelligence Magazine.
- The state's only four-year program accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research.
- WSU faculty's creative projects in interior design and fine arts are recognized by regional, national, and international design awards and publications.
- Students broaden their perspectives beyond the northwest through internships; field trips to San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix; and study abroad programs in Europe.
- Get involved in regional, national, and international competitions.
- Grow professionally through WSU's student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.
- A master of arts in interior design at WSU can be completed in one additional year (master's courses are offered at Spokane).
- Experience the unique interdisciplinary studio setting at WSU Spokane during your senior year with architecture and landscape architecture students.
- Transfer directly from Bellevue and Spokane Falls community colleges to WSU Spokane for completion of the bachelor's degree.