Portfolio Development & Review

The course involves the study of human needs and activities as a design determinant. With emphasis placed on biological, ecological, psychological, and cultural aspects of validity, research, programming, and design planning.

Instruction in graphic communication techniques required for professional communication of ideas and information related to interior design practice. Including one and two-point perspectives. Exposure to the proper use of equipment and materials to read interior and architectural drawings.

This survey course examines the interiors and architecture from the African diaspora, ancient to the present. Areas of study include the political, social, economic, religious, and technological context of the periods regarding the historical development of built environments, interiors, furniture, textiles, and accessories.

Survey course from 1900 to present-day of the history of art and interior design, design movements, styles, furniture, textiles and accessories, and their relationship to interiors, Victorian to present.

Instruction in the interior and architectural building codes, universal, accessible, and visit-ability, construction means, and methods required for built environments. Instruction in research and application of international and jurisdictional building code requirements and identification of appropriate construction methods.

Studio course studies the construction documentation process iterative steps through the production of working drawings, models, schedules, and drawings to the final fabrication and construction phase—an exploration of innovative technologies in design documentation and fabrication, using modeling software and digital fabrication techniques.

The course introduces design software programs for interior design practice, instruction on program commands, design techniques, and methods to produce professional presentations. Emphasis placed on technical issues and investigation of new creative uses for the software.

An intermediate course to introductory CAD I course. Instruction includes 2-D and 3-D features, rhino, and virtualreality -VR and advanced drafting skills of interior perspectives and axonometric drawings to complete construction documents and professional presentations.

Coursework includes an intensive examination of materials and finishes used in residential and commercial interiors. Course activities include estimating, fabrication, and installation, identifying materials, composition, use, appropriateness, manufacturers, and sources.

The course involves various presentation techniques for interior design projects, including digital, graphics, and color rendering techniques to effectively communicate ideas in a presentation format that clients can understand and evaluate.

This course provides advanced study in the application of principles, philosophies, materials, and production of residential interior design.

The course develops foundational business and professional practices of interior design. The course explores compensation and fees, contracts, business forms, budget management, designer/client and trade relationships, and legal considerations to operate an interior design business effectively.

The course examines theoretical frameworks conceptualizing Interior Design's multi-dimensional field, including topics in social sciences, design history, taste, sustainability, and ethical design.

A studio exploration of lighting in interior environments introduces the fundamental principles of color as it applies to the spatial and visual perception of the built environment, the psychology of color, its impact on human behavior, and interior spaces.

The course emphasizes critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Practice critical, creative, and innovative inquiry during experimentation in problem-solving methodologies, including inductive and deductive reasoning, divergent thinking, systems thinking, lateral thinking, and design thinking.

The course is an advanced study in the application of ideation, principles, philosophies, and materials in commercial interior design.

Critique review of a student's portfolio of work by the instructor(s). The student must complete an entire body of work product that demonstrates their studio progress—team teaching of all ID faculty.

The course includes field application and observation of business practices in an interior design establishment in the Washington, D.C. area, without compensation. Students complete a minimum of 100 hours of experiential learning to gain hands-on experience in the interior design profession—internship approved by the instructor. Weekly field documentation and evaluation are required.