Interior Design

The interior design program provides integrative learning through a multi-disciplinary course of study that includes courses in art, business, communications and interior design. Students are encouraged to combine a major in interior design with a minor in marketing, management, art, or communications. Graduates are employed in interior design firms, architectural firms, interior/facilities management divisions of large corporations, home furnishings retail, institutional and commercial furnishings, marketing positions and showroom management.

Most of the interior design courses are in the studio format where students integrate a variety of subjects to solve complex design problems. At the heart of the interior design program in the goal that students will understand human interaction with the environment to enhance quality of life. Students focus on the reciprocal relationships of humans and their interior environments.

The program is accredited by CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) and by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design).

Admission Requirements

Only the Office of Admissions and Orientation grants admission to Western Michigan University for undergraduate students. Students may be admitted to the university as pre-interior design majors. Application forms may be obtained from that office or the University’s website at www.wmich.edu.

Portfolio Review Requirement

During their fourth semester in the program, students in the PRE-ITD program will submit to a portfolio review, held annually toward the end of the spring semester, which is the basis for selective admission to the upper division of the curriculum. The purpose of the review is to encourage excellence in design and recognize those students best prepared for the challenge of the upper level interior design sequence of courses.

To apply for the portfolio review:

1. Students must complete the following courses:

FCS 1490 - Design Communication I: Architectural Drawing Credits: 3 hours
FCS 1500 - Introduction to Interior Design Credits: 3 hours
FCS 1560 - Introduction to Design Theory and History Credits: 3 hours
FCS 1570 - Sketching for Interior Designers Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2200 - Textiles Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2490 - Residential Architectural Design Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2510 - Period Interiors I Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2540 - Materials for Interiors: Hard Finishes Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2560 - Materials for Interiors: Soft Finishes Credits: 3 hours

2. The courses listed above must be completed with an average grade of 3.0

3. The University overall grade point average must be no less than 2.5

4. To receive acceptance into the upper level sequence of courses, students must have completed or be enrolled in the following courses at the time of their portfolio review.

All program required courses must be completed with an average of 3.0.

FCS 2500 - Interiors CADD Applications Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2520 - Period Interiors II Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2540 - Materials for Interiors: Hard Finishes Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2590 - Studio I Credits: 3 hours

5. The review

The review will consist of a 20-minute presentation by the student to the Interior Design faculty. The student will submit a statement detailing why they are interested in the field of interior design and what they perceive to be their strengths and weaknesses as a student of design. Application materials will also include an essay (topic to be selected by the faculty) and student portfolio materials showing their abilities in 2D and 3D design, drafting, free hand drawing, etc.

Up to eighteen (18) students will be selected from the portfolio review applicants each year to continue in the upper level in the interior design program. Students who are denied advancement may retake courses or redo projects before reapplying for portfolio review the following spring semester.

A Minimum of 122 Hours is Required for this Curriculum

1. General Education/Liberal Arts Requirements (37 hours)