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Academics

School of Interior Design

Award-Winning Program with a Purpose

Anderson University’s School of Interior Design teaches students how to create environments that protect the health and safety of its occupants. You’ll learn to design for homes and commercial spaces. You’ll explore what to consider in planning interior space from a children’s hospital or high-end resort to a church or school.

The School of Interior Design offers a BFA Interior Design, one of only nine Christian schools in the country with this program. You’ll become part of a very active chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID), and the City Center affiliation with International Interior Design Association (IIDA), which provide emerging professional opportunities with student design competitions of which our students have received national and regional awards.

Graduates of our program thank us for giving them not only the knowledge to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Associate exam, and WELL Building AP exam but for instilling within them an exceptional work ethic to excel within the field.

AU’s Interior Design students are highly sought after for graduate programs and in the professional field. They continuously rank in the top three in national competitions and achieve high levels of design certification.

anne martin
 

“The students professional preparedness allow them to have an immediate impact as amazing interior designers.”


Anne Martin
Dean, School of Interior Design

Courses of Study

 

Our rigorous interior design program will prepare you to work as a designer in architectural firms, commercial, and residential design firms.

You will be equipped to work in multiple design typologies including health-care facilities, hospitality and entertainment, resort, K-12, higher education, corporate and executive, government and municipal, liturgical, campus design, or an account executive for an industry manufacturer. Below are some of our student favorite courses.

Interior Design, BFA (128 Credit Hours)

An introduction to basic standard mechanical drawing and drafting techniques as well as the development of skills including architectural lettering, line quality, line weight, sketching, dimensioning, elevations, sections, isometric, axonometric, orthographic projections and one -and two- point perspective drawings. The application of color and its impact on portraying interior spaces is introduced at a fundamental level and applied to perspectives. Course material will be described in relation to job skills and working conditions for professional interior designers, architects and draftsmen. Skills learned in this course will be applicable to design drafting and construction of residential and non-residential projects. This course has a studio component and meets a total of 6 hours per week.

A continued overview of the interior design profession and an introduction to the application of design theory and techniques with emphasis on interior space planning through applied projects and the development of the spatial envelope. Emphasis includes: visual literacy and theories of design compositions, concept statements, the design process (programming, schematic and design development, contract documentation and administration, and POE); functional requirements; human factors; ability to visualize concepts through sketching, selection of interior materials and finished; development of furniture, fixtures, equipment, electrical, and lighting layouts. Codes research, sustainability issues; universal design and design for multicultural environments are highlighted. Drafting and sketching techniques for a residential and non-residential space are reinforced through developing floor plans, elevations, sections, schedules, specifications, and rendered perspectives. Furniture, finished, materials and textiles are presented as a schematic proposal. This course has a studio component and meets a total of 8 hours per week.

An intermediate level of study of space planning for Residential Design and documentation approached by completing projects utilizing the design process: programming, schematic development, design development, contract documentation, and contract administration. A gradual increase in complexity of design problems reinforces research, design concept processes, functional and spatial analysis, human factors, code requirements, color theory for interiors. Custom design detailing of cabinetry for Kitchen and Bath, case pieces and flooring are highlighted. Projects generated include a refinement of space planning resulting in a set of construction documents. Furniture, finishes, textiles, custom design detailing and product resources are presented in professional graphic formats with material boards. Drafting, sketching, rendering techniques, as well as computer applications are reinforced through floor plans, elevations rendered perspectives, reflected ceiling plans and models used in professional project presentations. A job book documents specifications and product knowledge for all FFE, lighting, and textiles. This course has a studio component and meets a total of 8 hours per week.

This course presents an overview of interior architectural public spaces such as retail, health-care, restaurants, hospitality, and hotels, educational/institutional. Emphasis will be space planning for the office environment including both traditional and systems office layouts. The design concept will be developed with research on sustainable design as the projects proceed through the design process: programming, schematic design, and design development, contract documentation, and contract administration and POE; organizational hierarchy; office industry trends; and systems furnishings; human factors (ergonomics, anthropometrics); universal design; as well as attention to environmental needs, life safety issues with emphasis on fire detection and suppression, building codes to include IBS, ANSI and ADA; signage, and way finding. Advanced space planning and the development of a set of construction documents with presentation boards to include furniture, fixtures, equipment, materials, textiles, finish schedules, and specifications. Drafting, sketching, rendering, milwork detailing, models and computer-aided drafting and design skills are utilized. Job books will document specifications, as well. Design Professionals will critique formal oral presentations of design proposal. This course has a studio component and meets a total of 8 hours per week.

This course presents the continued study and overview of the design solutions for large-scaled, non-residential structures and spaces such as healthcare/medical, assisted living, childcare, and ecclesiastical, institutional, retail, and other specialized environments. Comprehensive design solutions are developed for special populations with projects emphasizing the design process with research on sustainable design through design concept, programming, schematic development, design development, contract documentation, contract administration and evaluation. Additional focus on building codes, universal design, way finding, security issues, signage, fire suppression and fire detection are highlighted. Students will complete in-depth presentations including project analysis, concept statements, custom interior detailing, integration of building systems, lighting, interior finished, selection of appropriate materials, textiles, and color, sustainable materials, specifications, construction documents (partition plan, power and communications, reflected ceiling plan, elevations, finish plan, details, furniture plan); and sample boards. Project management and professional discipline are developed by the complexity of project requirements. Formal presentations are reinforced by design specifications applied in the student documentation Business forms generated in ID 451 are completed to document supporting business practices processes throughout the design process. Drafting, CADD, milwork detailing, models, and rendered perspectives are reinforced by professional presentation layouts. Projects will integrate all aspects of the curriculum. This course has a studio component and meets a total of 8 hours per week.

Click here to view our full course requirements

Faculty

anne martin
Anne Martin

Dean, School of Interior Design

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david greer headshot
David K. Greer

Assistant Profession of Interior Design

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sarah owens headshot
Sarah Owens

Assistant Professor of Interior Design

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Our professors are involved and affiliated with a variety of professional organizations and meet many certification standards.

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Student Work

Our students are able to create industry ready work as go through this intensive program of study. Being studio driven, students amass a portfolio that has historically landed seniors with jobs, a year before their graduation date. AU’s Interior Design students are highly sought after by premier architecture and design firms and graduate programs.

carlybrannon
Carolina Brannon
hannah koke
Samantha Childers
caroline goodson
Caroline Goodson
jayden holt
Jadyn Holt
lorianne kinard
Lorianne Kinard
hannah koke
Hannah Koke

Student Awards

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Internships

Interior Design students have a required course, ID 495 Internship in Interior Design, the summer between their junior and senior year. Historically, prior to graduation seniors have jobs, some a year in advance of graduation thanks to their internships.

Alumni Job Placements

We are proud to showcase that our alumni are working at some of the top design and architecture firms in the industry!

Recent News & Alumni Stories

Facilities

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Johnston Hall is the home of the School of Interior Design and the College of Education
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Studio settings that are filled with natural lighting and high ceilings
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Our state-of-the-art rendering lab for students to work in Auto CAD and other interior design softwares
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You'll be trained on how to pitch your work to potential clients with industry standards at the focus
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As a senior, you will present to the community and industry professionals to showcase the skillsets you have gained in your time here as an Interior Design student

Events

Interior Design Workshop

 

The School of Interior Design at Anderson University invites high school students and their families to attend a morning of inspiration, networking, and fun! Join us for an intimate social in our Admission Office located in the historic Merritt Administration building prior to the workshop, which will take place in Johnston Hall, home of the School of Interior Design.

The workshop will be an informational and exciting masterclass designed to introduce you the discipline of Interior Design! You will have the opportunity to meet current AU interior design students and learn from the Dean of AU’s School of Interior Design, Anne Martin, and Interior Design Faculty. You will work with the Design Process creating inspiration/mood boards manually and digitally, as well as other digital design tools such as Enscape, SketchUp Pro, AutoCAD and Revit. Hope to see you there!

Schedule of Events
Workshop Check-in: 9:30am | Merritt Administration
Student Workshop: 10:00am | School of Interior Design, Johnson Hall
Parent/Guardian Social: 10:30am | Merritt Administration
Parent/Guardian Meet & Greet: 12:30pm | School of Interior Design, Johnson Hall

Next workshop date:

November 1, 2024
Space is limited! Register below!

Senior Show Exhibition

 

The School of Interior Design at Anderson University invites friends of interior design to attend the senior designers showcasing their portfolios.

Event Information
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Vandiver Gallery, located on the main floor of Thrift Library

Contact School of Interior Design

Johnston Hall | 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
amartin@andersonuniversity.edu
864.231.2053

Next exhibition date:

April 5, 2024