Interior Design, B.S.

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Arnold Bernhard Center
Telephone: (203) 576-4221

Program Description

The Interior Design program prepares stu­dents with functional, technical and aesthetic aspects of the interior environment.

The Professional Interior Designer is quali­fied to identify, research and solve problems pertaining to the function and aesthetic qual­ity of the interior environment. The designer must have knowledge of construction mate­rials, their applications and methods of in­stallation. Interior designers must design the space in accordance with federal, state and local building codes to meet safety, health, and accessibility requirements. Interior de­signers both plan the space and furnish the interiors of private homes, public buildings and commercial establishments such as of­fices, retail, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theaters. They may plan additions, renova­tions and be involved in historic preserva­tions. With a client’s needs and budget in mind, they develop space-planning solu­tions; prepare working drawings, millwork, architectural details and specifications for in­terior construction, furnishing and finishes. Designers use computers to generate plans and construction documents, in addition to 3D modeling views.

At UB several interior projects assignments are done in collaboration with noted interior/ architectural firms, to give students a grasp of real projects and receive additional inputs from professionals in the field. In addition, this relationship helps establish connections for internships.

*ITDSN 398 - Internship  can be taken as an elective in addition to the required course­work.

As an Interior Design major, you can special­ize in several areas:

• Residential Design (new and existing)
• Contract Design such as: Retail, Hospital­ity, Corporate Offices, Health care, Institu­tional
• Historic Preservation
• Furniture and Furnishings Design

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate ability to identify, analyze, and solve design problems. Assessment: Portfolio projects and project research.
2. Demonstrate mastery of design tools, techniques, and concepts in design. As­sessment: Projects and portfolios that evidence craftsmanship and adherence to project parameters.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetics of form development, and of the history and current state of de­sign. Assessment: Projects, papers, and presentations for art and design history courses; in studio courses, projects that appropriately reference historical prec­edents.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in selection and use of relevant technologies in design. Abilities to use available technical and industrial processes to produce a design product, and to design and implement such a process. Assessment: Project and portfolio materials planned to be feasi­bly reproducible by industrial means rather than by one-off or by hand.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and societal connections linking design trends and processes as well as a knowledge of business practices and of the market place. Assessment: Projects and portfolio solutions that are cultur­ally- and audience-appropriate for the problem as posed by the business and market briefs for the project.