FCS
Interior Design
Apply to the Interior Design Program
Interior Design (ITD) emphasizes the application of analytical, technical, business and aesthetic skills in the development of spaces for living, working and/or relaxation.
High demand limits space in this program
This program is in high demand by incoming freshmen and transfer students. The number of faculty and available space limits courses and sections that can be offered. Therefore, there are two separate acceptance processes for students seeking to pursue the interior design program.
Pre-interior design
- Students accepted into the program must begin in the fall semester only.
- Students must apply and be accepted into the first two years of course work in the pre- interior design program sequence. Applications are accepted any time of the year but are due no later than May 1 for the following fall semester. Applicants will be notified of their status by May 20. Applications are also available in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, 3326 Kohrman Hall, and in the College of Education Office of Admissions and Advising, 2504 Sangren Hall.
- Note: Admission to the pre-interior design program does not guarantee the student will be admitted to the upper division of the curriculum.
Upper division of interior design
- During the fourth semester in the program, students in the pre-interior design program submit to a portfolio review 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 with the strongest motivation and credentials and best prepared for the challenge of advanced studio courses.
Admissions | Frequently Asked Questions
Program Guide | Class Sequence | Course Descriptions | Portfolio Review
Professional Internships and Opportunities
FCS 2020 Field Experience is a course requirement of the program. Based on the importance of enriching classroom learning with on-the-job application, field experience is intended to acquaint students with current working opportunities and issues in the field.
This program is accredited
Western Michigan University’s interior design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Accreditation at the professional level of education is achieved by those programs that provide academic preparation for the professional interior designer. The preparation is the first component of a recommended sequence including formal education, entry level experience and satisfactory completion of a qualifying examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.
What does an interior designer do?
Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive.
Responsibilities of the professional interior designer include:
- research and analysis of the client's goals and requirements
- development of documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs
- formulates preliminary space plans and two and three dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client's program needs and are based on knowledge of the principles of interior design the theories of human behavior
- confirms the preliminary plans and concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate and meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental and sustainability guidelines
- selection of colors, materials and finishes to appropriately convey the design concept and to meet socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, life-cycle performance, environmental and safety requirements
- selection and specification of furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description; also provide the contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture
- provide project management services, including preparation of project budgets and schedules
- preparation of construction documents, consisting of plans, elevations, details and specification to illustrate non-structural and/or non-seismic partition layouts; power and communications locations; reflected ceiling plans and lighting designs; materials and finishes; and furniture layouts
- preparation of construction documents to adhere to regional building and fire codes, municipal codes and any other jurisdictional statutes, regulations and guidelines applicable to the interior space
- coordination and collaboration with other allied design professionals who may be retained to provide consulting services, including but not limited to architects, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers and various specialty consultants
- confirmation that construction documents for non-structural and/or non-seismic construction are signed and sealed by the responsible interior designer, as applicable to jurisdictional requirements for filing with code enforcement officials
- administration of contract documents, bids and negotiations as the client's agent
- observation and reporting on the implementation of projects while in progress and upon completion as a representative of and on behalf of the client and conducting post-occupancy evaluation reports.
This definition is endorsed by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification