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Prospective students must hold a high school or GED diploma and can apply through the Common Application. Unlike other BFA programs, George Washington University does not require a portfolio for admission. Interior designers, on the other hand, focus on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces through furniture, color, lighting, and décor. Residential design is an area of specialization focused on designing residential spaces, such as single-family homes and condominiums.
Interdisciplinary Design Studies at College for Creative Studies - Dezeen
Interdisciplinary Design Studies at College for Creative Studies.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Upper Level Requirement
In addition to general education requirements, students tackle 67 credits of major coursework. Core classes include topics such as the fundamentals of interior design, modern architecture and design, and an interior design internship. Just outside Los Angeles, California State University-Long Beach is home to a BFA in interior design. Alongside general education requirements, students complete core major requirements, such as interior architectural model building. Other core classes include visualization for interior architecture and the history of furniture and decorative arts. The University of Wisconsin's flagship campus in Madison offers a bachelor's in interior architecture that students usually complete in about four years.
Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Interior Design
Before graduation, students must complete an internship at an approved professional site. In addition to general education requirements, students complete a 60-credit curriculum that includes classes such as interior design, lighting design, and design technology. Before graduation, degree-seekers complete an internship and a senior thesis design project. Problem-solving studios, co-op experiences, and dedicated faculty instill students with the skills and creative thinking needed for leadership roles in the interior design industry. Graduates emerge as proficient designers, innovative problem solvers, professional leaders, and socially responsible citizens.
Wesleyan University
First Master’s Degrees Awarded in Interior Design May 2022 Archive - Fairfield University
First Master’s Degrees Awarded in Interior Design May 2022 Archive.
Posted: Sat, 21 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Many classes have the option of studying online, with a traditional classroom experience where students can meet at one of their three locations including Belmont, Downtown San Francisco, and Downtown Berkeley. All instructors are professionals in their field and have a plethora of experience to contribute. The UCLA Extension was established in 1917, as a part of the University of California Los Angeles and University of California Systems, though they are and always have been financially self-supporting. Their online interior design degree classes take place in downtown Los Angeles and locations scattered throughout Los Angeles County, including Torrence. They are headquartered in Westwood, in a towering building that can hold all that students need. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges fully accredits all extension programs.
The UCLA Extension Architecture & Interior Design program truly paved my way to become an active contributor to this movement. The faculty—all active professionals in the field—taught me the language of design, which is now my most powerful tool of creative expression. As the primary interior design organization, CIDQ provides aspiring designers with certification information and helps them prepare to sit for exams. This online resource serves the international design community, featuring information about companies that use cutting-edge interior design. The website also highlights industry trends and the latest products and research. The Education Department and CHEA websites include lists of all accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

As of 2021 BLS data, interior designers earned median yearly wages of over $60,000. Professionals in these roles who climb to the top 10% of workers can command salaries in excess of $99,070, while those just starting out can earn less than $30,930 per year. Continuing education units (CEUs) are also common within the interior design field. They allow students to build new skills and knowledge to complement existing competencies. For instance, someone looking to sharpen their skills in kitchen design may undertake several CEUs to learn about current trends and designs.

Parsons School of Design, a pioneer in modern American interior design since the early 1900s, continues to evolve this practice with a strong focus on social engagement. Their BFA Interior Design program offers a research-driven, design-intensive education. Graduates are equipped to create interiors that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also consider environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and human well-being. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design represents the pinnacle of interior design education.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design
This program teaches students to maximize health, wellness, style, and sustainable practices across corporate, residential, retail, and hospitality design initiatives. Some core courses in this major include Graphics for the Building Arts, Digital Communication, and Rendering for the Interior. Collaborative projects incorporate real-world design processes, while optional study-abroad programs in Copenhagen and Rome offer students a well-rounded college experience. At the end of the four-year interior design program, students are required to complete a capstone project, combining their knowledge of history, theory, technology, innovation, and human behavior into a single physical space. Alumni of the graduate program have gone on to have careers at Gensler, HOK, Corgan, Nelson Worldwide, and SOM. In addition to MA and MFA programs, FSU offers a first professional degree for students who did not study interior design, interior architecture, or architecture during their undergrad years.
Internships allow you to take classroom knowledge and apply it in practical ways, while also learning how to navigate an office environment. Firms are more likely to hire candidates who have been exposed to aspects of the culture of a design studio before graduating and obtaining an entry-level design role. Completing this program was by far the most challenging and rewarding educational experience of my life. The instructors are all dedicated practicing professionals, the curriculum is CIDA-accredited and first rate, and the program is uniquely suited to the needs of those who can only attend part-time.
This advanced program emphasizes critical thinking, in-depth research, and intricate design concepts. Graduates gain a deep understanding of design theory, consumer and design sciences, research methodologies, and the interplay of psychology and culture in design. Salaries for interior design graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers interior design grads often go into.
SCAD is known for online interior design degree offerings, including three distinct degree programs. Their Bachelor of Fine Arts program includes 180 hours of study, at least 10 of which are dedicated to student electives. All of SCADs programs emphasize critical thinking skills along with collaborative teamwork, communication, and of course the ins and outs of creating beautiful and functional spaces. Typically, this exam is the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, a nationally recognized professional interior design certification.
You will gain the expertise to design, market, and sell interior space ideas for homes, offices, and larger corporations. The goal is to teach students to understand how interior design connects with human and ecological conditions. You have opportunities to thrive in internships in New York City and also travel abroad to Paris, London, or Florence. Parsons graduates are highly sought-after and begin careers in interior design or pursue further studies. After becoming a licensed interior designer, many professionals get certified in their specialty areas, such as sustainable design, lighting, kitchen and bath, or healthcare design.
New York's Fashion Institute of Technology is home to an interior design BFA program that prepares graduates for various careers in fields like manufacturing, showroom design, and furniture production. Exhibition design is a branch of commercial interior design focused on creating engaging exhibition spaces. Exhibition designers work with businesses (and sometimes private individuals) to design spaces for hosting events, launching products, and promoting brands. This may include designing everything from floor plans, lighting schemes, signage systems, wayfinding strategies, furniture layouts, and displays.