2024-25 Academic Catalog

Interior Design

Department Head: Dr. Beth R. Miller
Office: 125 Etheredge Hall

The Interior Design Department offers students the opportunity to develop an ability to identify, analyze, and create solutions using critical thinking and spatial comprehension in solving design problems in the built environment. The program prepares future professional designers to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public as well as protecting the environment. Practical studio experience builds competency in design theory; the specification of interior materials and finishes; lighting, universal design, and computer-aided design; building and life safety codes; historical interiors; professional practices; interior construction and furniture design; space planning and programming; and graphic and verbal communication skills.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree program is fully accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Curriculum Progression and Portfolio Review

All students are required to obtain a grade of "C" or better for all major core courses. Students who obtain a "D" or an "F" must retake the course. Only one retake of any course is allowed. 

2nd year Portfolio Review: Each student is required to participate in a portfolio review between the second and third year to determine a student’s admission to upper level courses. The 2nd year portfolio review will consist of original work from ID foundation courses.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a 2.5 in the Interior Design major core. Students failing to pass the review will not be allowed to enter ID 3614 Interior Design Studio III or ID 3663 Color and Lighting for Interiors. Students will have two opportunities for portfolio submission.

Senior Portfolio and Exhibit: Each senior is required to submit a professional portfolio for faculty review and provide work for a senior exhibit in the spring of their senior year.

Internships

All Interior Design majors are required to complete an internship the summer following either their Junior or Senior year. The internship offers employment experiences through a wide range of projects in the design field. Many ID students are placed in interior design and architecture firms across the United States.

Financial Requirements

Costs for an interior design education are somewhat higher than other disciplines. In addition to standard costs of fees, tuition, room and board, books, field trips, etc., an interior design student must buy required drawing equipment and materials for drawings and models during the school year. A student should budget for at least $300 per semester for these extra costs.

Due to the technological aspect of the profession, each student is required to purchase a computer in their first year in the program. Computer requirements are available on the website: www.caad.msstate.edu/caad_web/id/home.

Field Trips

Field trips are an important part of the curriculum. The observations and experiences from field trips cannot be replaced by library research or reports. Because field trips are a vital part of the design education experience, the cost is an additional charge to the student's account to ensure that all students are able to take part in these essential learning opportunities.

Interior Design major

General Education Requirements

English Composition
EN 1103English Composition I3
or EN 1104 Expanded English Composition I
EN 1113English Composition II3
or EN 1173 Accelerated Composition II
Math
MA 1323Trigonometry3
Natural Sciences
CH 1043Survey of Chemistry I3
See General Education courses6
Humanities
See General Education courses6
Fine Arts
ID 3643History of Interiors I3
Social Sciences
PSY 1013General Psychology3
EC 2113Principles of Macroeconomics3
or EC 2123 Principles of Microeconomics
Major Core
ART 1123Design I3
ART 1133Design II3
ART 1213Drawing I3
ART 2103Photography Survey3
or CO 3403 Photographic Communication
ID 1683Interior Design Graphics3
ID 1694Interior Design Studio I4
ID 2103CAD for Interior Design3
ID 2203Rendering3
ID 2614ID Studio II4
ID 2633Interior Materials, Treatments, and Resources3
ID 2664Textiles for Interiors4
ID 33633/D CAD/Modeling3
ID 3603Digital Design for Interiors3
ID 3611Career and Portfolio Development1
ID 3614Interior Design Studio III4
ID 3624Interior Design Studio IV4
ID 3633Interior Design Detailing and Construction Documents3
ID 3653History of Interiors II3
ID 3663Color and Lighting for Interiors3
ID 3673Environments for Special Needs3
ID 4611Principles of LEED1
ID 4644Interior Design Studio V4
ID 4651Internship Placement1
ID 4654Interior Design Studio VI4
ID 4661Senior Portfolio Production1
ID 4662Professional Practice for Interior Design2
ID 4693Furniture Design3
ID 4753Interior Design Internship3
Free Elective6
Oral Communication Requirement
CO 1003Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
or CO 1013 Introduction to Communication
Writing Requirement
Satisfied by the successful completion of ID 4662
Computer Literacy Requirement
Satisfied by the successful completion of ID 2103
Total Hours124

Lighting Design Minor

The Lighting Design minor provides students with the opportunity to study new technological advances and design in the field of lighting.  Students not in the College of Architecture, Art, and Design who are interested in this minor should contact an Interior Design Advisor. In order to be successful in this minor, you must be able to use AutoCAD or similar software. The minor will enable students to explore the intersection between lighting and their primary degree. The integration of the disciplines such as architecture, art, and communications will substantially enhance the student's education and prepare them for a broader field of employment.

Students are required to take 16 credit hours from the courses listed below. Some courses require instructor permission. Additionally, students must follow the appropriate prerequisites for the listed courses.

Required Courses
ID 3663Color and Lighting for Interiors3
ID 4673Integrated Lighting Solutions3
ID 4683Lessons from the Theatre: Architectural Lighting Design3
ART 3233Studio Lighting3
CO 2524

Interior Design Studies Minor

The Interior Design Program offers a Minor in Interior Design Studies for non-Interior Design majors. A minimum of 18-19 hours of interior design courses (as selected from the list below) are required to obtain the Minor in Interior Design Studies. Students interested in this minor should contact an Interior Design Advisor.

Course Selection

Students are required to take ID 2603 Interior Design Fundamentals, then choose an additional 15-16 hours from the courses listed below. Some courses require Instructor permission. Additionally, students must follow the appropriate prerequisites for the listed courses.

Required Course
ID 2603Interior Design Fundamentals3
Elective Courses (choose 15-16 hours)
Courses not requiring Instructor Permission
ID 1683Interior Design Graphics3
ID 2203Rendering3
ID 24033
ID 3603Digital Design for Interiors3
ID 3643History of Interiors I3
ID 3653History of Interiors II3
ID 3673Environments for Special Needs3
ID 4611Principles of LEED1
Courses requiring Instructor Permission
ID 2103CAD for Interior Design3
ID 33633/D CAD/Modeling3
ID 3633Interior Design Detailing and Construction Documents3
ID 4693Furniture Design3

Courses

ID 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members

ID 1683 Interior Design Graphics: 3 hours.

One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Introduction to basic manual drafting and tools/techniques used by interior designers in executing and reading graphic language in two dimensional form

ID 1694 Interior Design Studio I: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 1683). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Introduction to the basic principles and elements of design using practical and abstract applications in creative problem solving analyzing spatial form and function

ID 2103 CAD for Interior Design: 3 hours.

Prerequisite: ID 1683 or consent of instructor. Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Introduction to computer-based design as applied in the interior design field

ID 2203 Rendering: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing) Six hours studio. A studio course dealing with concepts, techniques, and media used in executing interior and exterior renderings

ID 2603 Interior Design Fundamentals: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Introduce a practical approach to the application of interior design in the built environment. (For non-interior design majors). (Same as HS 2603)

ID 2614 ID Studio II: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite ART 1123 and ID 1694). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Introduction to design theory and its application in the development of criteria for interior environments

ID 2633 Interior Materials, Treatments, and Resources: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: HS 2664 or concurrent enrollment). Three hours lecture. Materials, equipment, services and resources available to the interior designer for meeting clients' needs

ID 2664 Textiles for Interiors: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite CH 1043 or CH 1213). Three hours lecture. Two hour laboratory. Study of fibers, yarns, fabric structures, dyes, and finishes related to the textile industry. Emphasis on testing and evaluation of textiles for interior applications

ID 3363 3/D CAD/Modeling: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: ID 2103 or BCS 1116 or consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Advanced computer graphic communication in interior design for the development of technical and perspective drawings created in presentation formats using 3D imaging

ID 3603 Digital Design for Interiors: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Introduce innovative software applications for interior design students to create graphic presentations, portfolios, and digital illustrations of interior elements

ID 3611 Career and Portfolio Development: 1 hour.

(Prerequisites: ART 1133, ART 1123, ART 1213, ID 1683, ID 1694, and ID 2614). One hour lecture. Development of an understanding of career possibilities in Interior Design and preparation for the sophomore portfolio review process

ID 3614 Interior Design Studio III: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 2614). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Integration of the total building environment, through the application of the design elements and technical aspects of the field

ID 3624 Interior Design Studio IV: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 3614). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Actual practice of the contract interior design field through the execution of commercial design problems

ID 3633 Interior Design Detailing and Construction Documents: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: ID 2103 and ID 3614). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Systematic intergration of building systems, construction, technology, and materials on interior systems. Detailing of these systems is an extension of the design process

ID 3643 History of Interiors I: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. A survey of furniture styles, ornament, designers, and accessories associated with period interiors from the early Egyptian period through 1850

ID 3653 History of Interiors II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 3643 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Defining advancements/evolutions of design philosophies of furniture and interiors in late 19th adn 20th centuries; addressing presentation skills and techniques for interior design professionals

ID 3663 Color and Lighting for Interiors: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 2615). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Concentrated study of color and light relationships as they apply to the visual, technical and functional aspects of interior spaces

ID 3673 Environments for Special Needs: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Laws, attitudes, conditions, specifications, and environmental issues affecting private and public spaces. (Same as HS 3673)

ID 3813 Study Abroad Seminar I: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ART 1213 or consent of instructor.) Three hours seminar. Six weeks of on-site instruction in Italy as part of the CAAD Italy study abroad program. Course content will vary to reflect the expertise of the instructor (Same as ART 3813 and ID 3813.)

ID 3823 Study Abroad Seminar II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ART 1213 or consent of instructor.) Three hours seminar. Six weeks of on-site instruction in Italy as part of the CAAD Italy study abroad program. Course content will vary to reflect the expertise of the instructor (Same as ART 3823 and ARC 3823.)

ID 4000 Directed Individual Study in Interior Design: 6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

ID 4403 Introduction to Historic Preservation: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. An introduction to American historic preservation, its history, principles, and practice. Course may be repeated twice

ID 4611 Principles of LEED: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. A general study of the principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) Program including preparation to take the LEED Green Associate Exam

ID 4644 Interior Design Studio V: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 3624). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Integration of the total living environment, through the application of the design elements and technical aspects of the interior design field

ID 4651 Internship Placement: 1 hour.

(Prerequisite: Senior Standing in Interior Design and ID 4663). One hour lecture. Professional opportunities as they relate to internships for interior design students. Preparation of resume and portfolio for procurement of internship

ID 4654 Interior Design Studio VI: 4 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 4644). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Advanced study of the commercial interior design field through individual research and the execution of commercial design problems

ID 4661 Senior Portfolio Production: 1 hour.

(Prerequisite: Senior standing in Interior Design). One-hour lecture. Development of printed and digital portfolios and related materials necessary in obtaining an internship and career in interior design

ID 4662 Professional Practice for Interior Design: 2 hours.

(Prerequisite: Senior standing in ID). Two hours lecture. Professional opportunities as they relate to individual competencies. Study of studio procedures, ethics, business and legal aspects

ID 4673 Integrated Lighting Solutions: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 3673, or ARC 3723, or IE 3123 or permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Principles of lighting design that addresses lighting analytics and the understanding of lighting as an integrated part of building systems

ID 4683 Lessons from the Theatre: Architectural Lighting Design: 3 hours.

(Three hours lecture). An introduction to the basics of theatre stage lighting and the theoretical approach of applying these principles to architectural lighting design

ID 4693 Furniture Design: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 2103, ID 3643, ID 3653, and consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Exploration of the basic methods and processes of furniture design

ID 4753 Interior Design Internship: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: Senior standing, 2.50 GPA and consent of instructor). Individual work experience in an approved setting under supervision of Mississippii State Univ faculty

ID 4773 Historic Lighting Environments: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. A split level interdisciplinary course focusing on historic lighting design. The class will study the emerging lighting technologies that increase efficiency, and improve light quality, while respecting the era, textures, architectural scene and landscape of historic structures

ID 4990 Special Topics in Interior Design: 1-9 hours.

(Credit and title to be arrange. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses.(Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

ID 6403 Introduction to Historic Preservation: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. An introduction to American historic preservation, its history, principles, and practice. Course may be repeated twice

ID 6773 Historic Lighting Environments: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. A split level interdisciplinary course focusing on historic lighting design. The class will study the emerging lighting technologies that increase efficiency, and improve light quality, while respecting the era, textures, architectural scene and landscape of historic structures

ID 6990 Special Topics in Interior Design: 1-9 hours.

(Credit and title to be arrange. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses.(Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

ID 7000 Directed Individual Study in Interior Design: 6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

ID 8010 Practicum: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite ID 8473 and approval of instructor). Three hours supervised field experience and documentation of research in Historic Preservation. (Repeatable one time)

ID 8153 History of American Architecture and Landscape Architecture: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Explore the Architecture and Landscape Architecture of North America from the colonial period to the present

ID 8163 Historic Preservation Law: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Examine federal, state, and local laws that protect the cultural heritage, built and natural environments, archeological resources, and the legal framework associated with preservation programs

ID 8253 Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Explore evaluation and application of appropriate treatments and financial incentives for reuse of existing historic buildings in today’s environment with an emphasis on the design process

ID 8263 Interior Details, Furniture, Materials, and Finishes: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Explore interior building details, furnishings, materials available, and interior finishes appropriate for buildings at time of construction

ID 8273 Building Materials Conservation: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Thematic study of the basic field techniques and skill necessary to accurately interpret the interior fabric of historic structures

ID 8283 Research Analysis Methods in Historic Preservation: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Application of research analysis methods specific to problems in Historic Preservation

ID 8353 Internship: 3 hours.

Three hours field work. Individual work experience in an approved setting under supervision of Mississippi State University faculty

ID 8453 Preservation Field Studies I: 3 hours.

Six hours laboratory. Fundamental to the practice of historic preservation is field work. Students will work collaboratively with communities on preservation projects using skills acquired in previous classes

ID 8463 Historic Preservation Planning: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. An introduction to theories of community planning from a Historic Preservation perspective

ID 8483 Preservation Economics/Advocacy: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Examine economic techniques used in historic preservation projects and the funding and benefits of preserving historic buildings and districts and the real estate development process

ID 8553 Preservation Field Studies II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ID 8453). Six hours laboratory. Continuation of ID 8453 with students continuing to collaborate with communities on preservation projects

ID 9000 Research in Interior Design: 1-13 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged