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B.A. Interior Design

Interior Design involves the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces and experiences in our buildings and places dealing with small and large-scale projects and installations – from single family homes and model apartments to retail, office, hospitality and health care applications.

Summary

  • It is the mission of the Interior Design program to provide students the opportunity to participate in the design, development and implementation of creative and technical solutions for a variety of interior environments in which all people exist and function.
  • The program offers coursework that synthesizes design history and theory, structural and technical systems, legal, ethical, and economic frameworks for professional practice along with the social, cultural and environmental context of the built environment.  
  • Students will deal with Interior Design in the context of the architectural and engineering environments in which their anticipated projects reside.
  • The program prepares students to fully utilize 21st century technology, specifically information technology and digital media, in the process and products of Interior Design.
  • An additional and critical goal of the program is the preparation of students to work in maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the public by understanding and adhering to building and life safety codes, having an awareness of ergonomics, universal design, and ADA requirements, and becoming knowledgeable about environmentally responsible building practices and materials. And, as designers, we want everything to look good.
  • Ability to conceive and design for interior spaces, incorporating knowledge and skills.
  • Understanding the basic principles of design and color in two and three dimensions, particularly with regard to human response and behavior. Design principles include, but are not limited to, an understanding of basic visual elements, principles of organization and expression and design problem solving.
  • Ability to apply design and color principles in a wide variety of residential and non-residential projects. This requires an in-depth knowledge of the aesthetic and functional properties of structure and surface, space and scale, materials, furniture, artifacts, textiles, lighting, acoustics, heating and cooling systems, air quality systems, and the ability to research and solve problems creatively in ways that pertain to the function, quality and effect of specific interior programs.
  • Understanding of the technical issues of human factors and basic elements of human behavior, including areas such as programming, environmental control systems, anthropometrics, ergonomics, proxemics, wayfinding, sustainability, universal design, and design for the physically and mentally challenged. In making design decisions, the ability to integrate human-behavior and human-factor considerations with project goals and design elements.
  • Knowledge of the technical aspects of construction and building systems, and energy conservation, as well as working knowledge of applicable legal codes, contract documents, specifications protocols, schedules and regulations related to construction, environmental systems, accessibility, human health and safety, and the ability to apply such knowledge appropriately in specific design projects.
  • Ability to hear, understand and communicate to the broad range of professionals and clients involved or potentially involved in the concepts and requirements of Interior Design projects. Such communication involves verbal, written and representational media in both two and three dimensions and encompasses a range from initial sketch to finished design. Capabilities with technical tools, conventions of rendering and representation, global measuring systems, and systems of projection, including perspective, are essential.
  • Acquisition of collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary teams.
  • Functional knowledge of the history of art, architecture, decorative arts and Interior Design, including but not limited to the influences of work and ideas on the evolution of Interior Design practice.
  • Functional knowledge of professional design practices and processes, including but not limited to professional and ethical behaviors and intellectual property issues such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.
  • Functional knowledge of basic business practices including, but not limited to entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting and manufacturing; and basic practices associated with the overall business of interior design such as ethics, intellectual property, labor issues, and decisions associated with ecological and social responsibility and sustainability.
  • The ability to gather information, conduct research and apply research and analysis to design projects. Familiarity with research theories and methodologies related to or concerned with Interior Design is essential.
  • Development of a commitment to lifelong learning and active engagement in professional communities.

 

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View the Curriculum

Course listing and prerequisites

Core Faculty

Jonathan Smitherson

Alcala, Jose M

Coordinator, Industrial Design

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Alcala, Jose M
Coordinator, Industrial Design, Hillier College of Arch & Design
Not Provided
Official
Jonathan Smitherson

Altin, Ersin

Adjunct

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Altin, Ersin
Adjunct, Hillier College of Arch & Design
Not Provided
Official
Weston Hall
Jonathan Smitherson

Benanti, Vincent

Adjunct

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Benanti, Vincent
Adjunct, Hillier College of Arch & Design
Not Provided
Official
Jonathan Smitherson

Bess, Mark E

University Lecturer

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Bess, Mark E
University Lecturer, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3088
Official
Weston Hall Room 570
Jonathan Smitherson

Brothers, David A

Coordinator, Interior Design

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Brothers, David A
Coordinator, Interior Design, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3287
Official
681 Weston
Jonathan Smitherson

Decker, Martina

Associate Professor

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Decker, Martina
Associate Professor, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-5371
Official
Material Dynamics Lab - Idea Factory
Jonathan Smitherson

Schwartz, Mathew L

Assistant Professor

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Schwartz, Mathew L
Assistant Professor, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-6095
Official
675 weston
Jonathan Smitherson

Wendell, Augustus E

Adjunct

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Wendell, Augustus E
Adjunct, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3016
Official
349 Weston
Jonathan Smitherson

Goldman, Glenn

Director Emeritus, SA+D, Coordinator, Digital Design

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Goldman, Glenn
Director Emeritus, SA+D, Coordinator, Digital Design, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3012
Official
683 Weston
Jonathan Smitherson

Von Koenig, Gretchen A

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Von Koenig, Gretchen A
Not Provided
Official
Jonathan Smitherson

Harp, Cleveland J

University Lecturer

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Harp, Cleveland J
University Lecturer, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3022
Official
568 Weston Hall
Jonathan Smitherson

Ogorzalek, Thomas

Senior University Lecturer

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Ogorzalek, Thomas
Senior University Lecturer, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3023
Official
524 Weston
Jonathan Smitherson

Penalba Estebanez, Ana

University Lecturer

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Penalba Estebanez, Ana
University Lecturer, Hillier College of Arch & Design
Not Provided
Official
Jonathan Smitherson

Garcia Figueroa, Julio C

University Lecturer

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Garcia Figueroa, Julio C
University Lecturer, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-596-3027
Official
568 Weston Hall
Jonathan Smitherson

Cays, John M

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

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Cays, John M
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Office of the Dean - HCAD
973-596-6275
Official
347

Advisement

Jonathan Smitherson

Corchado, Sasha N

Senior Academic Advisor

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Corchado, Sasha N
Senior Academic Advisor, Hillier College of Arch & Design
973-642-4983
Official
Weston Hall 344