Interior Design
A professional interior designer is one who is qualified by education, examination, 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 first professional degree.
Background Information
The program focuses on improving the quality of life and protecting human health and safety through design of the interior environment. In a challenging program responsive to the changing needs of the interior design profession, students study design fundamentals, theory, process, communication, research, and technology to identify and solve problems for a wide range of physical interior environments for all individuals regardless of socioeconomic background or situation.
Students pursue courses in which creative and technical skills are applied within a structure to achieve the built interior environment. Design solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life of occupants, and are aesthetically attractive while adhering to code and regulatory information. Design solutions produced protect and enhance the health, safety and welfare of the public. 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
Optimizing human potential (of individuals, families, and communities.) in the built environment through the application of sustainable and universal design standards, global awareness and diversity, ethical judgment and technical proficiency. The Department of Apparel, Design and Hospitality Management offers an accredited first professional degree program in interior design.
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 and color theory). Each student becomes aware that the interior design profession is exceedingly complex, and collaborating with design professionals and related disciplines 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 history, 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 and different client project goals.
Field Experience
North Dakota State University interior design students are required to complete a field experience between the junior and senior year. Students accept a variety of positions throughout the United States. In the past few years students have completed field experiences in Scottsdale, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Denver.
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. Students must maintain the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA requirement and earn a grade of “C” or better in all major core requirements throughout the remainder of the program. 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 the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER) and received re-accreditation in 2010.
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. Typical residential specialties can include kitchen and bathroom design, renovation for physically challenged, model homes, or residential historical restoration. Commercial interior design specialties include corporate and executive office, healthcare, retail facilities, institutional, transportation, and hospitality and entertainment venues. Design professionals may also pursue career opportunities in such specialized technical design areas as lighting, codes, product design, or product representative.
Opportunities for NDSU graduates vary according to geographic area of practice and responsibilities of specific positions. Recent graduates have accepted entry-level positions with starting salaries as high as $50,000 (Minneapolis). Some graduates are now working on commission and report somewhat higher earnings than those 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 OpportunitiesNDSU students participate locally in the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Junior and senior students have the opportunity to participate in the North Dakota Interior Designers (NDID) organization. A number of professionals visit campus each year to present programs and informational seminars with students. Trips are planned to local, regional, national, and international 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. They 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 a virtual product library. Studios provide individual work stations and tools necessary to complete graphic presentations.
The Faculty
NDSU 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 (NCIDQ) and to maintain contact with colleagues and professionals. All hold memberships in professional design-related organizations.
Department Address
Apparel, Design, and Hospitality Management Dept
NDSU, Dept # 2610
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050