Program Overview

Interior Design Program

Program Description

The mission of the VCUarts Department of Interior Design is to provide an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience grounded in the issues of interior architecture. Accredited since 1973, the department develops in its students an enduring passion and curiosity for their work, a determination to continually seek quality in their endeavors, an ability to reflect constructively upon their actions as individuals, and a responsibility for their lifelong education.

Career Opportunities

A degree in interior design can open up career opportunities in diverse areas of interior design as well as the potential to define one's own career path. The interior design profession encompasses project types ranging from single-family residence to hospitals, from academic spaces to offices, hotels to restaurant, and retail spaces to religious facilities and other related design fields. Additionally, interior designers find opportunities in furniture and materials specification and sales, facilities and space planning, lighting design, production and set design, and visualization specialists.

Change of Major Requirements

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments. Students are required to submit their application and required portfolio. Typical application deadlines are November 1 (for spring applicants) and April 1 (for fall applicants).

Job Titles

• Bachelor-level job titles:
  • Design Captain
  • Design Entrepreneur
  • Design Principal
  • Design Strategist
  • Design Thinking Consultant
  • Drafter
  • Interior Architect
  • Interior Designer
  • Project Manager
• Graduate and professional level job titles:
  • Design Professor
  • Interior Architect
  • Interior Designer
  • Project Designer

Professional Associations and Resources

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
• Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)
• International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI)
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

Degree Requirements

The degree offered is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Interior Design.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Interior Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) can be found in the Bulletin.

Requirements

• Highest level of math required: Quantitative Foundations requirement only
• Science required: Natural Sciences requirement only
• Foreign language requirements: No
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major): 2.5+ cumulative GPA

Concentrations

No concentration is offered for this program.

Yearly Plan

The program is structured over four years, with each year having specific goals and activities:

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enroll in a student success course
  • Map out a 4-year course plan
  • Meet with a writing consultant
  • Schedule an appointment with the academic advisor
  • Sharpen study skills
  • Engage with the department and its community
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community
  • Consider applying to the Honors College
  • Get involved in student clubs and organizations
  • Participate in community events
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
  • Connect with the Global Education Office
  • Join RAMmalogues
  • Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Activate Handshake profile
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader
  • Seek research opportunities
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access free credit report
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Explore "What Can I Do With This Major"
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan
  • Develop the first design portfolio

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Explore innovation and business
    on-profit creation classes
  • Get familiar with the research process
  • Schedule an appointment with the advisor to explore minors and plan REAL experience
  • Develop a time management plan
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty
  • Join the Residence Hall Association
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience
  • Take a service-learning class
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship
  • Explore social issues and develop cultural competency skills
  • Investigate globally-focused courses
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend career and internship fairs
  • Complete a gap analysis
  • Explore global career options
  • Organize examples of academic and professional experiences in an ePortfolio
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be an academic and professional mentor
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Conduct informational interviews
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink
  • Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enhance business, software, technology, and creative skills
  • See academic and career advisors
  • Take a virtual library tour
  • Begin considering ideas for the senior thesis sequence
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings
  • Design a community-engaged research project
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office
  • Motivate peers by presenting at conferences
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence
  • Explore new cultures
  • Get required REAL experience
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program
  • Get expert advice from VCU Alumni
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities
  • Attend career and internship fairs
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a plan for applying to graduate school or landing a micro-internship
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school
  • Begin applying for summer internships
  • Develop a cohesive graphic identity for the internship application dossier

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Choose REAL electives
  • Schedule an appointment with the academic advisor
  • Participate in the mOb studio
  • Maximize time in Senior Design Seminar I and II
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply for post-graduation programs
  • Attend professional association conferences
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus
  • Consider being a liaison for outreach
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects
  • Master answers to interview questions about experience working with diverse populations
  • Plan for growing cultural agility after graduation
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in the field
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Consider becoming an educator
  • Meet with the academic or professional mentor
  • Publish original research
  • Join professional organizations
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed
  • Prepare for graduation
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy
  • Invite the professional network to view work in the IDES BFA Senior Exhibition
  • Refine the cohesive graphic identity of the design dossier