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What Does An Interior
Designer Do?
Everywhere you go today, you see the influence of interior designers. The public's
demand for design services has grown rapidly and with that growth has come a
wider range of specialties in the field. Today you have the choice of specializing
in residential design or non-residential design. Non-residential design, also
known as Contract Design or Commercial Design, includes a broad range of project
types, including: commercial and professional office design, health care, facilities
for the elderly, education, museums or theaters, retail, governmental facilities,
recreation and resort facilities, restaurants and hotels, and transportation
design.
Individuals with training in interior design also may specialize in set design
for stage and screen productions, lighting design, color consultation, product
development and marketing, teaching and research, journalism, facility management
and historic preservation. Interior designers may work with multi-disciplinary
architectural firms, interior design firms, furniture dealerships, major corporations,
major banking institutions, hospitals, etc.
The study of interior design is more closely aligned with what is referred to
as “interior architecture”, as opposed to interior decoration. The
study of design is theoretical and is about creating interior environments for
people and to support their activities - not filling rooms with floor coverings,
furniture, wall treatments, window treatments, and the like.
What Skills Would I Need?
Although artistic talent is certainly important, it is only one of many abilities
a successful interior designer needs. You would also be expected to:
•
Be sensitive to the client's needs and have a thorough understanding of human
behavior;
•
Approach a problem creatively and analytically;
•
Communicate ideas visually (using sketches, drawings, and study models) as
well as orally and in writing;
•
Be meticulous about detail and accuracy;
•
Budget your time carefully and meet demanding deadlines;
•
Make cost estimates, understand purchasing and selling methods, and manage
finances and business operations;
•
Computer skills as a tool for design, producing construction drawings, and
for business management.
What Education Would I Receive At Winthrop?
The program of interior design at Winthrop University is the only
program in South Carolina nationally accredited in interior design.
In the beginning, art foundation courses in art, design fundamental
courses in interior design and art history are required of all students
in the Department of Art & Design.
Currently, the first year of study for the interior design major,
consists of two art foundation classes and four design fundamental
courses. Beginning with the third academic term, we have design studios
- six in all and they are offered once a year, only – therefore,
it will take all students, regardless of transfer credits, or a previous
Bachelor’s degree, seven to eight academic terms to complete
the B.F.A. Degree. The six design studio courses must be taken sequentially.
Transfer students may begin their art foundation studies in the spring
term and complete the balance of the design fundamental courses in
the summer – so that, they can begin the second year sequence
of interior design courses in the fall. This option reduces the total
time, in months, to earn the B.F.A. degree.
Interior design students take a series of lecture and studio classes
that are designed to gradually introduce the student to the knowledge
and skills needed in the practice of interior design. Some of the
areas of instruction are:
• Sketching, drawing and rendering;
• Design theory and spatial analysis;
Space Planning and design of residential and non-residential
projects
• History of art, architecture and interior design;
• Human needs for special population groups;
• Building construction and environmental systems;
• Materials performance and design applications;
• Building codes and standards to protect the health, safety, and welfare
of the public;
• Business practices and principles; and
• Professional practice and ethics.
Studio classes where students complete a series of interior design projects and
assignments, occupy much of the student's class time. The program requires all
majors spend time working with a professional designer in the co-operative education
program, usually scheduled after the third year of study. The program makes it
possible for students to apply their academic training in an actual work environment.
Winthrop University has the only program of interior design in South Carolina
that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly
FIDER). Our Interior Design full-time faculty are members of relevant professional
organizations. There is an active student organization which prepares students
to take a leadership role while as a student, participate in community service
and the like.
What Can I Do Right Now To Prepare?
If you are still in high school, take demanding college-preparatory courses that
require you to develop self-discipline and analytical ability. Include electives
in art, art history, industrial arts, mechanic drawing or drafting, and computer
science. Look for part-time jobs that will give you a chance to explore the field
of design. Volunteer to help set and lighting design for school plays and community
theater. Work for a building contractor, interior designer, or offer to do window
displays for a local store.
•
Purchase a sketchbook and practice observational drawing – draw anything
you can see
•
Keep an up-to-date record of your work in a portfolio
•
Check your library or bookstore for books and magazines about interior design
•
Seek out and talk to interior design professionals in your area
At Winthrop we always welcome students and their families to talk with the faculty
and visit classes. Call our main office and make an appointment at your convenience.
For more information about Interior Design / Interior Architecture go to: www.fider.org; www.ncidq.org; www.iida.org; www.asid.org; www.careersininteriordesign.com;
and www.idec.org
OVERVIEW : INTERIOR DESIGN CURRICULUM
FIRST YEAR
- Two Art Foundation Studio Courses: 2-D I, and 3-D I (All “Studio Courses” meet
twice a week for three hours each)
- Four Design Fundamental Studio Courses: Design Drawing, Surface Design
(applied 2-D design for the Interior Design student), Presentation Techniques
I, and Spatial Analysis & Theory I.
- Two Art History Lecture Courses
- An Introduction to the Interior Design Profession, a lecture course
- An Introduction to the Visual Arts:
a Lecture Course that explores fundamentals of art and design course content
- Two General Education Courses
SECOND YEAR
- Four Interior Design Studio Courses:
Spatial Analysis & Theory II, Presentation Techniques II; a Residential Design
Studio, and a CAD (computer-aided design and drafting) Course
- Three Interior Design Lecture Courses:
Interior Design and Architecture History I, Lighting, and Textiles/Materials
- Three General Education Courses
- [At the end of the second year, all interior design students present their
Student Portfolios to the full-time faulty for review and evaluation – called
Sophomore Specialization Review (SPR). Based upon this Review, students who
pass the SPR are permitted to move forward to the Upper Division Interior Design
Courses.]
THIRD YEAR
- Four Interior Design Studio Courses:
Two consecutive Design Studios ( Advanced Residential and Commercial-Office Design);
and two advanced technical drafting (both by hand and computer-based) Studio
Courses
- Two Interior Design Lecture Courses:
the second Interior Design and Architecture History Course, and Professional
Practice
- The Interior Design Co-op/Internship Course, with the field experience during
the summer
- Four General Education Courses
FOURTH YEAR
- Four Interior Design Studio Courses:
Two consecutive Design Studios (Commercial-Retail and Hospitality Design and
Senior Thesis); and a lecture course, Thesis Preparation
- An Art Criticism Lecture Course (intensive writing requirement)
- Four General Education Lecture Courses
Department Chair: Chad Dresbach
Phone: (803) 323-2660
E-mail: dresbachc@winthrop.edu
Linda Byers Aaron
NCIDQ #3012
Phone: (803) 323-2669
E-mail: aaronl@winthrop.edu
Jennifer Blanchard Belk
Professional Member, IIDA
Professional Member, IDEC
Phone: (803) 323-2689
E-mail: belkj@winthrop.edu
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