Major in Interior Architecture and Design
Program Overview
Colorado State University's Interior Architecture and Design program prepares students for professional design careers, emphasizing research-based problem-solving and the integration of cultural, environmental, and historical perspectives. The curriculum includes studio-intensive instruction, internships, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, enabling graduates to excel in diverse interior design fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Interior Architecture and Design program at Colorado State University prepares students to become professional designers. The program emphasizes education, experience, and examination to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to design interior environments that enhance functionality, quality of life, productivity, and public safety. The program's objectives include:
- Designing interior environments that enhance the function and quality of life.
- Increasing productivity in interior spaces.
- Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
- Preparing students for research-based problem-solving.
- Providing experiential education through studio instruction, service learning, and internships.
- Incorporating cultural, environmental, and historical perspectives into the design process. The program is accredited by the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and faculty hold professional certifications in NCIDQ and LEED AP.
Outline:
The program is structured as a cohort program, with students advancing through the curriculum in a sequential manner. The program is divided into eight semesters, with specific courses required for each semester.
Freshman Year:
- Semester 1:
- CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2)
- DM 192B First Year Seminar: Pre-Interior Architecture and Design
- INTD 110 Visual Expression of Interior Environments (GT-AH1)
- MATH 117 College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)
- MATH 118 College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)
- PSY 100 General Psychology (GT-SS3)
- Select one course from the following:
- ART 100 Introduction to the Visual Arts (GT-AH1)
- IDEA 210 Introduction to Design Thinking (GT-AH1)
- LAND 110 Introduction to Landscape Architecture
- Semester 2:
- CON 151 Construction Materials and Methods
- INTD 129 Introduction-Interior Architecture Design
- INTD 166 Visual Communication-Drawing
- MATH 124 Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Elective
Sophomore Year:
- Semester 3:
- INTD 210 Studio I-Interior Architecture and Design
- INTD 266 Visual Communication-Digital Multi-Media
- Focus Area Electives (See Major Requirements Tab.)
- Elective
- Semester 4:
- INTD 276 Studio II-Interior Architecture and Design
- Focus Area Elective (See Major Requirements Tab.)
- Advanced Writing
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Elective
Junior Year:
- Semester 5:
- INTD 310 Studio III-Interior Architecture and Design
- INTD 330 Lighting Design
- INTD 335 Interior Architecture and Design Technologies
- INTD 350 Codes-Health and Safety
- Select one course from the following:
- AM 460 Historic Textiles
- HIST 354 American Architectural History
- Semester 6:
- INTD 340 Interior Materials and Products
- INTD 359 History of Interior Architecture and Design
- INTD 376 Studio IV-Interior Architecture and Design
- INTD 410 Evidence-based Design Theory
- Elective
Senior Year:
- Semester 7:
- INTD 456 Professional Practice-Interior Arch Design
- INTD 476 Capstone-Interior Architecture and Design
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Historical Perspectives
- Elective
- Semester 8:
- INTD 487 Internship
Teaching:
The program emphasizes a studio-intensive curriculum that focuses on research-informed and creative problem-solving. The curriculum incorporates cultural, environmental, and historical perspectives into the design process. The teaching facilities include:
- Design studios and critique spaces
- A gallery
- A design materials library
- Virtual reality computer labs
- Fabrication labs (prototyping, woods, metals, and screen printing)
Careers:
Graduates of the Interior Architecture and Design program are prepared to practice interior architecture/interior design with competency in:
- Design fundamentals
- Space planning and programming
- Code compliance
- Lighting
- Materials research
- Project management
- Professional practices in the design of diverse interior spaces Graduates seek employment in:
- Interior design and architecture firms
- Residential, corporate, retail, health care, institutional, education, and hospitality design
- Lighting design
- Product development
- Marketing
- Research
- Design-related journalism
- Illustration
- Facility management
- Showroom management
- Manufacturers’ representatives
Other:
The Nancy Richardson Design Center, a multi-disciplinary center located in the College of Health and Human Sciences at CSU, serves as a design-thinking hub for students across campus. The center provides state-of-the-art equipment and technology for hands-on learning, collaboration, and innovation. The center includes:
- Four studio/lab classrooms
- A seminar room
- A small dedicated project room
- Two computer labs
- A design exchange
- An ideation lab (including virtual reality equipment)
- A prototyping lab (laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC textile equipment, etc.)
- A metal shop
- A wood shop
- A sustainable dark room
