Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design (BFA): Generalist Specialization
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design gives students the opportunity to study the aesthetic response of the elements of design which include, for example, space, shape, form, mass, line, texture, pattern, light and color in two and three dimensional space through experiments and projects. Coursework is structured to assist students in the development of their goals as they acquire the knowledge and skills common to interior design professionals.
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The goal of the BFA in Interior Design is to provide students with the skills needed to improve the quality of life, to increase the productivity and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public through creative and innovative design solutions.
In this industry-focused curriculum, students can investigate the principles of interior design, including unity, balance, proportion, scale and rhythm. They will be challenged to develop practical applications by completing a design project, using their acquired knowledge of contextual analysis, color psychology, client analysis, selecting finishes through mood and sample board as well as various other presentation techniques.
The AIU BFA in Interior Design gives students the opportunity to investigate the fundamental elements of interior design and conveys their use through practical and theoretical research. In this curriculum, students can learn how to:
- Complete the interior design programming process with a client [i.e. interviewing, assessing needs, inventorying existing conditions, creating matrices and adjacency diagrams, stating the project objectives and desired outcomes, problem solving, proposing solutions].
- Complete technically correct drafted floor plans, interior elevations, building sections, and interior details for both residential and commercial applications.
- Understand and be able to skillfully apply the principals and elements of interior design [balance, rhythm, proportion, scale, emphasis, harmony, space, shape, line, texture, pattern, light, and color].
- Understand the use of color theory and how its application affects both visual presentation of a space and the psychological impact of that space on those existing in that environment. A strong understanding of the variety of human factors to be considered in the practice of interior design [physical proportions, physical limitations, cultural influences, global considerations].
- Have a full understanding of Interior Design career options and skill set requirements.
- and many more industry-related skills.
In addition to the general education requirements, this BFA in Interior Design includes the following courses, taught by instructors who have relevant career experience in the interior design industry. The experiences and firsthand perspectives they share in class can help prepare you for real-life challenges after you graduate.
CORE COURSES
- Interior Design I
- Architectural Drafting
- Color Theory for Interior Design
- Human Factors & Contextual Studies
- Interior Design II
- Furniture Design
- History of Architecture & Design I
- History of Architecture & Design II
- Materials & Resources
- Textile Applications
- Drawing & Perspectives Development
- Rendering Techniques
- Capstone Design Project & Presentation
SPECIALIZATION COURSES
The Interior Design specialization provides students the opportunity to transfer in or take specialization courses in any area of Interior Design. The courses below are suggestions but may be substituted for any upper level course in the Interior Design discipline.
- CAD I AutoCAD
- CAD II Advanced AutoCAD
- Lighting for Interior Spaces
- Building Systems and Codes
- Commercial Environments
- Retail Store Environments
- Residential Design I
- Hospitality Design
- BIM I Introduction To Building Information Modelling
- BIM II Advanced Modeling
- Working Drawings and Construction Documents
- Capstone Design project
- Portfolio Development
For a full list of courses for this degree program, please see the AIU catalog.
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This program is available at the following AIU campuses:
Degree programs and availability vary by campus.