Program Details
Interior Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine ArtsVirginia Commonwealth University
The Department of Interior Design, accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, provides the breadth of a university education with the depth of a professional curriculum. The curriculum provides for the study of space, form, color and light in collaboration with the pragmatic investigation of building codes, materials, finishes, construction methods and business practices. An important focus also is placed on the study of design theory and the history of interior environments. All of these areas are synthesized in the curriculum to provide learning of the overall context of the built interior environment. Graduates are prepared with the skills and knowledge that can facilitate the student’s transition into an entry-level interior design position at a successful firm or corporation, or entry into programs of advanced study. The department also prepares students with the skills and knowledge that will allow for lifelong learning and professional development in the design industry. Prospective students are encouraged to review the School of the Arts undergraduate admissions website as well as the Art Foundation Program website.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following. Students will demonstrate professional values. The students will demonstrate professional values that address client and user needs in response to the built environment, professional ethics, environmental ethics and the role of sustainability in the practice of interior design. Students will demonstrate an understanding of a global perspective approach to thinking and problem-solving (viewing design with awareness and respect for cultural and social differences of people; understanding issues that affect the sustainability of the planet; understanding of the implications of conducting the practice of design within a world market). Students will demonstrate critical and analytical thinking, creative thinking, and the ability to think visually and volumetrically. Students will demonstrate professional discipline (i.e., time management, organizational skills) and active listening skills. Students will understand the importance of community, public service and engagement. Student work will demonstrate design fundamentals. Students will demonstrate knowledge of design fundamentals including design elements and principles, color principles, theories and systems, theories of design and composition, and principles and theories of lighting design. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the theories of human behavior in the built environment including human factors (ergonomics, anthropometrics), the relationship between human behavior and the built environment, and an understanding of the principles of sustainability. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of art, architecture and design. Students will demonstrate knowledge on public safety issues and awareness of code regulations as they relate to planning interior spaces. Student work will demonstrate knowledge of interior design. Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of the following: design process; design elements and principles; programming skills; competent schematic design and conceptual development; design development skills; skills in preparing drawings, schedules and specifications; understanding of how design solutions are impacted by codes, building systems and interior furnishing materials; and understanding of the impact of laws, codes, regulations, standards and practices that protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Student work will demonstrate effective communication. Students must express ideas clearly in a variety of methods. Completed design work will be presented verbally and through a series of drawings, models and other physical or digital media. Growth of presentation methods will be evident as students progress in their course work.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This degree is an intensive immersive experience. Students who do well in this program typically can dedicate study time in the physical classroom in the Interior Design department. The program seeks independent thinkers, students with strong work ethics, risk-takers, and people committed to improving communities through design. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students may enter the Interior Design program in the fall semester only. Students must earn at a minimum 2.5 GPA on all work before entering the program, in the semester immediately before entering the major and each semester they continue in the program. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students seeking admission to the BFA Interior Design program should complete courses that satisfy all VCUarts Art Foundation requirements prior to beginning our studio sequence.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Interior design majors take a required internship as part of their experience. They will have opportunities to study abroad and work in an interdisciplinary collaborative community-engaged design studio called the middle Of broad (mOb). Finally, Interior Design students develop an unique capstone thesis project in their final year that encompasses IDES 441, 401 and 442, and present it at a thesis show open to the public. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | We are proud of our BFA student successes! Surveying the Class of 2021 (88% response rate), you’ll find: 93% were part of the design profession within one year of graduation. 100% who applied to graduate school were accepted. 84% graduated within four years. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | Interior Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Interior Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Career Studies Certificate - Associate Designer | Associate | Career Studies Certificate | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Art: Graphic Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1031.00 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 27-1025.00 | Interior Designers | Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete