Overview
http://www.design.iastate.edu/interiordesign/index.php
The department offers the degrees Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interior Design, and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design.
BFA Interior Design
Emphasis is on the student's application of design processes to creatively solve problems of the interior environment based on knowledge of human safety, functional utility, and physical, psychological, and contextual fit. Graduates in interior design are competent in visual communication (sketching, drafting, and computer-aided design), design problem solving, space planning, lighting and color specification for interiors, finish and furniture selection, detailing interior construction, and application of human factors. The curriculum is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) as providing professional-level education.
Transfer students with studio credits from other colleges and universities must present a portfolio of work done in those courses to determine if these credits can be applied toward specific studio requirements. Students are required to present their portfolio upon admission and prior to registration for classes. Arrangements for this process must be made with department advisors.
Graduate Study
A 34-graduate-credit program is offered leading to the Master of Arts, for students planning to undertake professional or design research-oriented pursuits. (NOTE: Applicants without a previous undergraduate degree in interior design may be required to complete up to 40 additional credits of deficiency work).
A 60-graduate-credit post-professional graduate program is also offered leading to the degree Master of Fine Arts.
Note: This program of study is not offered as an additional major. It is only offered as a full degree program.
Student Learning Outcomes
All graduating students with a BFA in Interior Design will:
- Develop an understanding of the design process to creatively solve a design problem and apply the design elements and principles to design solutions.
- Communicate ideas and design solutions effectively in written, oral, and visual form, including presentations of studio-based work.
- Collaborate in team-based projects with other students in interior design and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, including an understanding of the role of interior designers in practice.
- Apply research and theories to projects, including the evidence of human-centered design in the built environment; develop an appreciation of global cultures and the history of interiors, architecture, and art.
- Demonstrate knowledge in the technical aspects of interior design, specifically in light and color, products and materials, environmental systems and human wellbeing, construction, and regulations and guidelines.
Degree Requirements
The curriculum in Interior Design leads to a 129-credit undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design including completion of the Core Design Program.
Admission into the professional program follows completion of the Core Design Program and depends upon available resources. Information on admission criteria to each professional degree is posted each year on the College admissions website.
Total Degree Requirement: 129 cr.
Only 65 credits from a two-year institution may apply, which may include up to 16 technical credits; 9 P-NP credits of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA; Completion of all requirements listed below.
International Perspective: 3 cr.
U.S. Cultures and Communities: 3 cr.
Communication: 10 cr.
(C or better grade ENGL 1500 and ENGL 2500)
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Communication Studies | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| Total Credits | 10 |
Humanities: 6 cr.
6 credits from program curriculum sheet.
Social Sciences: 6 cr.
6 credits from program curriculum sheet.
Math/Physics/Biol. Sciences: 6 cr.
| 3 |
| Introduction to Probability | |
| Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | |
| College Algebra | |
| Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
General Education Courses: 9 cr.
9 credits from program curriculum sheet; 6 credits of course level 3000-4000.
College of Design Core: 13 cr.
General Design History: 6 cr.
Select 6 credits from any College of Design history courses.
Interior Design: 61-63 cr.
Studio/Business Option: 6 cr.
6 credits from program curriculum sheet.
Electives: 4-6 cr.
Complete electives sufficient to complete graduation requirements.
Interior Design, B.F.A.
Four Year Plan
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Interior Design Program at ISU may apply for concurrent undergraduate/graduate status prior to their final semester of their undergraduate program. If accepted, students will be allowed to register for six graduate credits and apply the credits to an M.A. degree.
Graduate Study
The Department of Interior Design offers two graduate degrees in interior design: a five-semester Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and a three-semester Master of Arts (M.A.), each of which requires a thesis. The degree programs encourage interdisciplinary work within the College of Design and across related fields within the university. We currently offer double-degree programs and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) with a home department in Interior Design. Financial support in the form of teaching and research assistantships is available on a competitive basis.
Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA)
The MFA is a terminal degree in Interior Design with a required thesis and a creative component. It is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in Interior Design or closely related disciplines and for students from other disciplines who complete required prerequisites in the Department of Interior Design. The MFA in Interior Design Program prepares students to become professionals in practice, teaching, and research.
The MFA program encourages students to research and engage diverse contemporary issues within design specializations across the field of Interior Design. Faculty in the program provide students with opportunities to engage and address social, cultural, environmental, historical, practical, and other concerns within regional, national, and international contexts. They amalgamate traditional methods and contemporary technologies and encourage students to develop new processes and methods as needed. Faculty members promote inclusive designs that accommodate current and future needs across diverse cultures and populations. The Interior Design Graduate Programs expect graduates to approach research and interdisciplinary coursework with dedication and commitment.
The MFA curriculum has an intensive five-semester course sequence that emphasizes foundations of interior design including methods, theory, process, the human condition, and studio. Design seminars offer training in varied interior design specializations including preservation and cultural heritage, inclusive design, lighting, color theory, research methods, and environmental design. The program offers study abroad opportunities, studios with specialized faculty, and independent study projects. Interdisciplinary option studios apply and integrate core-course content with technical proficiency in areas of preservation and cultural heritage, healthcare, design for elderly populations, and hospitality, among others. During the last two semesters students explore interior design through focused research and a written thesis. The MFA program concludes with a public defense of the thesis that includes a thesis exhibition with graphic representations of the research. Students admitted to the program hold undergraduate degrees in a broad range of fields. A student without an undergraduate degree in interior design or interior architecture must complete the curriculum’s prerequisites listed in curriculum sheets posted on the Graduate Programs in Interior Design’s website. Students with undergraduate degrees in closely related to design fields may be eligible to waive part of the prerequisites in the program.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), 60 Credits
Design Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship: Select 9 credits
| ARTID 5690 | Advanced Studies in Interior Design: Variable Topics | 3 |
| ARTID 5700X | Social Entrepreneurship in Aging | 3 |
| ARTID 5710 | Advanced Visualization in Interior Design | 3 |
| ARTID 5720 | Preservation & Cultural Heritage | 3 |
Equitable and Inclusive Environments: Select 9 credits
Methods and Practicum: 9 credits
| ARTID 5520A | Evidence-Based Design: Investigation Analysis | 3 |
| or ARTID 5520B | Evidence-Based Design: Synthesis |
| or ARTID 5520C | Evidence-Based Design: Communication |
| or ARTID 5520D | Evidence-Based Design: Procedural Alternatives |
| ARTID 5540 | Interior Design Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| ARTID 6600 | Research Methods (or DSNS 5010 Introduction to Research Design) | 3 |
Studio Courses: 20 credits
Thesis and Creative Component: 12 credits
Electives: 8 cr.
Total: 60 credits
Master of Arts in Interior Design (M.A.)
The post-professional Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interior Design is a 34-credit research degree with required a graduate thesis. The M.A. degree is open to applicants who hold a professional degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture from an accredited program. The M.A. in Interior Design degree prepares students to become competent professionals in Interior Design practice, while the written research thesis contributes to the body of knowledge in the field.
M.A. candidates are required to develop a thesis proposal with a statement of purpose, research questions, literature review, methods summary, and outline of proposed chapters. A first professional degree is also open for applicants with non-professional degrees in various fields with the completion of required prerequisites in the Department of Interior Design. A first professional M.A. for graduates in closely related design fields may allow some prerequisite courses to be waived.
Master of Arts in Interior Design (M.A.), 34 Credits
Design Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship: Select 6 credits
| ARTID 5690 | Advanced Studies in Interior Design: Variable Topics | 3 |
| ARTID 5700X | Social Entrepreneurship in Aging | 3 |
| ARTID 5710 | Advanced Visualization in Interior Design | 3 |
| ARTID 5720 | Preservation & Cultural Heritage | 3 |
Equitable and Inclusive Environments: Select 6 credits
Methods: 6 credits
| ARTID 5520A | Evidence-Based Design: Investigation Analysis | 3 |
| or ARTID 5520B | Evidence-Based Design: Synthesis |
| or ARTID 5520C | Evidence-Based Design: Communication |
| or ARTID 5520D | Evidence-Based Design: Procedural Alternatives |
| ARTID 6600 | Research Methods (or DSNS 5010 Introduction to Research Design) | 3 |
Studio Courses: 10 credits
Thesis: 6 credits
Total: 34 credits
Dual Degrees
Double-degree programs are offered with the Department of Architecture with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interior Design and a Master of Architecture (MArch). The graduate program also offers a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) with home department in Interior Design. Information about our programs and how to apply can be obtained from the department of Interior Design Graduate Program website and from the graduate school's departmental web page.