NDSU: Department of Apparel, Design, and Hospitality Management

Interior Design

A professional interior designer is one who is qualified by education and experience to identify, research, and creatively solve problems relative to the function and quality of people's interior environments. The course of study in interior design leads to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.

Background Information

Students pursue courses in aesthetic awareness, visual communication, and technical skills that enable them to successfully complete studio projects in residential and commercial interiors such as institutional, entertainment, educational, hospitality, health care, retail, and office. Students learn how to approach design problems through a methodology that includes data gathering, product specification, identification of details, contractual documents, and design business procedures.

The Program

The ADHM Department offers an accredited BS or BA in a Council for Interior Design Accreditation Standard professional-level program in interior design. The program requires commitment to visual communication, technical accomplishment, and a sensitivity to aesthetics as a part of the process of problem solving relative to the interior environment.

The first two years of the program introduce the fundamentals of design, visual and technical communication techniques (including drafting, perspective drawing, model building and rendering), and theoretical and practical applications (including anthropometrics, ergonomics, interior design technology, color theory, and history). Each student becomes aware that the interior design profession is exceedingly complex, and cooperating with other professionals in a team approach to problem solving is routine practice.

Upper-division course work is focused on a series of integrated studio experiences and support courses including interior materials, professional practice, computer-aided design, and interior systems. The studio experience culminates in a senior project. Studio experiences require that each student be exposed to a variety of projects at several different levels of complexity.

Field Experience

North Dakota State University interior design students are required to complete a field experience between the junior and senior year. This field experience may or may not include a stipend to support that student while living away from campus or home. Students accept a variety of positions throughout the United States. In the past few years students have completed field experiences in Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Dallas, St. Louis, Boston, Minneapolis, and Houston.

Selective Admission

Enrollment in sophomore level interior design courses requires a 3.0 institutional cumulative grade-point average. Admission into the third-year studio is based upon demonstrated professional interest, a portfolio review completed during the spring semester of the student's sophomore year, a 3.0 institutional cumulative grade-point average, and a minimum grade of C in all major core requirements. All students successfully completing sophomore review are required to purchase a laptop computer for upper division studio courses.

Accreditation

The interior design program at NDSU is accredited by CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation Standards (formerly FIDER), and received re-accreditation in 2003.

Career Opportunities

Three main career paths typically chosen by the design professional include residential, commercial and specialized design. Residential design primarily involves the design of personal living environments while commercial design deals with public and work environments. Specialized design focuses on specific design issues, such as kitchen/bath design, lighting design, furniture design, and health care.

Opportunities for NDSU graduates vary according to geographic area of practice and responsibilities of specific positions. 2007 graduates have accepted entry-level positions with starting salaries ranging from $31,000-$41,000. Some graduates are now working on commission and report somewhat higher earnings than those graduates on salary.

High School Preparation

It is beneficial for entry-level interior design students to have a college preparatory high school background. The faculty at NDSU have developed a comprehensive program that assists students in developing the necessary skills and knowledge to become successful interior designers. The faculty are committed to developing each student to his/her fullest potential.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

NDSU students participate locally in the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). A number of professionals from all over the United States visit campus each year to present programs and informational seminars with students. Trips are planned each year. to local, regional, and national design studios, architectural firms, and product markets to supplement course work. NDSU interior design students are encouraged to enter design competitions and have experienced a very high success rate. NDSU students have been the recipients of scholarship awards and regional and national design competition awards.

The Facilities

NDSU facilities and instructional amenities are among the finest in the Upper-Midwest. The Interior Design Resource Center is well equipped with current samples and is continually being upgraded. Wireless studios provide individual work stations and tools necessary to complete graphic presentations.

The Faculty

NDSU tenure-track faculty hold terminal degrees in interior design or related fields and have been selected because of their individual and collective experience as interior designers and commitment to teaching. The faculty are encouraged to pass qualifying examinations for the profession (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) and to maintain contact with colleagues and professionals. All hold memberships in professional design-related organizations.