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PROGRAM
MISSION
The mission of our program is to provide a holistic professional design
education for the students within the cultural context of a medium-size
regional state-supported teaching university. Students are
challenged to explore design theory and practical applications with
passion and integrity.
Design studio and lecture courses allow each student individual attention
from our qualified faculty. A balance between design theory,
knowledge, technical expertise, and creativity along with practical
realities are emphasized at all levels. A positive and challenging
learning environment, which promotes individual critical thinking,
curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, along with cultural and social
responsibility are important aspects of our program mission. The
Program provides instruction and out-of-class experiences for future
interior designers to develop the conceptual, aesthetic, analytical
and technical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Winthrop University’s Interior Design Program strives for a high-standard
in design education through student-oriented teaching; and, it is based
upon the broad liberal arts, basic creative arts, design fundamentals,
and design theory. It is also collaborative, process-oriented,
and technical. In the pursuit of design excellence, the Interior
Design Program emphasizes and encourages information gathering at the
beginning of design and lecture course assignments, the planning and
the creation of interior environments that promote productivity and
a sense of psychological welfare. The Program encourages active
participation in the student Interior Design Organization (IDO) and
interaction with practicing professionals. It shares with art
an aesthetics-based act of creation.
The Interior Design Program establishes sequential learning from art
and design fundamentals and theory to technical and practical knowledge. The
curriculum is based on the premise that interior design is purposeful
problem solving for client and end-user requirements; and, we emphasize: human
welfare and safety, functional and utilitarian solutions, as well as
physical, psychological, and contextual fit.
Additionally, the Interior Design Program incorporates the creative
application of design knowledge related to: human factors; space
- volume and mass; light and color; interior finish materials; furnishings
and textiles; and works of art and accessories - this to create a functional
and aesthetically pleasing interior environment for diverse human occupancy.
PROGRAM’S EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- To provide students with an intensive professional design education
which recognize the importance of a foundation in the liberal arts.
- To ensure that students develop fluency in conceptual development
and technical proficiency.
- To emphasize the spatial envelope, as a framework for the selection
of furnishings, the importance of light, and the use of color and
materials to result in an interior environment that meets the needs
of its intended occupants.
- To emphasize the essential elements and principles of visual language
as a foundation for creativity.
- To achieve proficiency in manual design communication media, as
well as emerging computer-based visual technologies.
- To emphasize a three-dimensional approach in the planning and design
of humane and ecologically appropriate interior environments - for
living, working, healing, and recreation.
- To gain an understanding of society and culture, in order to form
critical judgments about people's health, safety and welfare.
- To provide a student-centered learning environment that promotes
confidence where creativity and individuality is the acceptable norm.
- To encourage passion and energy to promote student discipline in
the analysis and synthesis of design thinking and solutions in problem
solving activities.
- To provide students with the intellectual, practical, and technological
abilities necessary to attain functional, creative and aesthetic
excellence leading to a rewarding career as a professional designer.
- To include the study of basic business and professional office
organization and structure, including an understanding and appreciation
of personal and professional ethics.
To offer facilities and equipment appropriate to the study of art and
design and reflective of the realities of the interior design profession
for students to succeed upon graduation.
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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