FOUNDATION YEAR COURSES

IDD-1010
Drafting: Basic Building Systems
One semester: 3 studio credits
The materials and methods of interior drafting and basic building systems will be examined in this course. Students will complete a variety of projects employing drawing types that are used to design interior spaces. Topics include: surveying a space and converting survey information into a plan, elevations, axonometric drawings, detail drawings.

IDD-1020
Drawing: Perspective
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will focus on architectural sketching and graphics skills necessary to complete interior sketches and to develop and present interior ideas and concepts quickly, graphically and to a scale that reflects actual space dimensions.

IDD-1030
Drawing: Environment and Composition
One semester: 3 studio credits
The majority of class sessions will be spent at various New York City locations, learning to draw the particular details of different environments. Composition will be stressed, along with line drawing and the use of tone. Capturing the mood of a building and its locale will be emphasized.

IDD-1050
Principles of Interior Design
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course is designed to help each student explore design principles and develop a personal vision within the context of the design process. Basic design principles for interiors will be introduced through two- and three-dimensional projects. Line, mass, texture, volume, form, shape, configuration, symmetry, balance, proportion, scale, rhythm, repetition, axis, alignment, light and color will be covered, and will provide the tools necessary for careful consideration of interior design issues in future projects.

IDD-1060
Introduction to Designing Interiors
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will provide an introduction to the three essential types of interiors: retail, office and residential projects. Students will explore all three through analysis, sketching, design, presentation techniques and model building. We will build upon the investigation of concept, form and materials that began in the first semester.

IDD-1130 / IDD-1135
Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I and II
Two semesters: no credit
Each semester, students will attend two lectures by visiting professionals on current issues in interior design. Students will also research and attend two other lectures or events in New York. Scheduling of the lectures will be announced during the semester.

IDD-1160
Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
One semester: 3 studio credits
Serving as an introduction to computer-aided design and drafting (CAD), this course will explore ideas for layout, line weights, dimensions and annotation using AutoCAD. We will approach drawings as a visual communication tool that is both artistic and informative. Study will revolve around a semester-long project that contains various types of plans, elevations and sections of an interior space. Three hours per week of lab time is required.

IDD-1170
Introduction to Computer Design
One semester: 3 studio credits
The development of creative techniques using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign will be examined in this course. How to scan images at the proper resolution and develop an archive of work are included. The course will cover basic graphic design principles of layout and design through hands-on exercises to create business cards, letterheads, logos, layout grids, illustrations and books.

IDD-1240
Furniture and Finishings
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will familiarize students with 20th- and 21st-century furniture and furnishings. The evolution of furniture, including form, function, ergonomic and sustainable aspects of the design, will be considered. How to identify designers and manufacturers of freestanding and systems furniture will be examined. We will consider furnishings that are an integral component of interior design, such as vases, lamps, artworks and plants. In addition, the class will resource these products through field trips to museums, showrooms and workshops, as well as catalogs and online discovery.

HCD-1020
Writing and Literature I
One semester: 3 humanities and sciences credits
This is the first part of a two-semester course that helps students become capable, critical and independent writers. With its focus on developing an argument, the course offers an introduction to some of the skills necessary for critical analysis of written art. It will include a review of writing basics (grammar, coherence, idea development, sentence and essay structure). Since reading widely is a foundation of good writing, course readings are drawn from a selection of premodern Western works, including drama, poetry, the narrative and the critical essay, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts.

HCD-1025
Writing and Literature II
One semester: 3 humanities and sciences credits
This is the second part of a two-semester course that emphasizes writing, reading and critical thinking. Students will write more in-depth essays and a research paper and continue to study grammar and essay development. Course readings are drawn from a selection of modern works, including drama, poetry, the narrative and the critical essay, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts.

SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH YEAR COURSES

IDD-2010
Design Studio I
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will introduce many design issues and principles. Skills will be developed through three-dimensional sketch problems varying in levels of complexity and duration, culminating in a final project for juried presentation. Third-semester interior design course materials, including perspective and rendering as well as behavioral science material from HPD-2030, Environmental Studies I, will be
incorporated into our explorations.

IDD-2015
Design Studio II
One semester: 3 studio credits
Students will be given a wide range of projects of increasing levels of complexity and scope to expand design skills. A final juried project will be presented that demonstrates the application of previous course material, including principles of design, color, perspective and rendering as well as the course material in HPD-2035, Environmental Studies II.

IDD-2020
Color Theory and Rendering
One semester: 3 studio credits
Interior rendering, with an emphasis on drawing perspective and color, is the focus of this course. Sketching and resource courses, as well as foundation studio courses, will be incorporated. Constructing perspectives from plans and elevations and rendering perspectives with a variety of media will be covered.

HPD-2030 / HPD-2035
Environmental Studies I and II
Two semesters: 3 humanities and sciences credits
These courses will examine the forces in the world that act on design and designers. Through a series of lectures with case studies and practitioners who work with current cultural conditions, students will employ critical-thinking skills and begin to define personal value systems as design professionals. Research tools developed in these courses will lead to a series of artifacts that underscore the analytical role of the practitioner.

IDD-2030
Building and Interior Systems I
One semester: 3 studio credits
The principles and practice of building and interior construction systems will be examined throughout the semester. The goal is for students to complete a set of drawings and details from an initial survey of a space to final plans and specifications of an interior design project. Building construction, interior construction (walls, ceilings, flooring), safety, building codes, barrier-free codes and testing standards will be covered. Visits to interiors under construction will be included when possible; the details of interior design elements will be studied through direct observation and drafting.

IDD-2035
Building and Interior Systems II
One semester: 3 studio credits
A continuation of IDD-2030, Building and Interior Systems I, the goal of this course is the development of an overall understanding of the building process and the technical aspects of interior design, including lighting, electrical plumbing, HVAC, acoustics and conveying systems will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the development of architectural drafting to complement computer-aided drawing. Areas will include: professional ethics; fees; building laws and codes; project and team management; health, safety and welfare regulations. Professional business practices will be discussed as they relate to the process of design.

IDD-2060
Presentation Techniques
One semester: 3 studio credits
The development of multimedia rendering and presentation techniques using pen-and-ink, line drawing with color, marker with pencil, watercolor/tempera and computer drawing will be explored in this course. Projects from design studios will be studied, and traditional and computer-generated rendering techniques will be developed.

IDD-2100
World Architecture: Art and Interior Design
One semester: 3 interior design art history credits
The different cultures and design theories of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, and their influences on the West, will be presented in this course. The totality of space, materials, ornament and furnishings will be stressed.

IDD-2110
Western Architecture: Art and Interior Design
One semester: 3 interior design art history credits
Significant contributions to Western design, both European and American, will be examined in this course. The relationships among social, technological and economic factors will be emphasized, as well as the interdependencies of space, materials, ornament and furnishings.

IDD-2130 / IDD-2135
Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I and II
Two semesters: no credit
Each semester, students will attend two lectures by visiting professionals on current issues in interior design. Students will also research and attend two other lectures or events in New York. Scheduling of the lectures will be announced during the semester.

IDD-2140
Interior Materials and Finishes
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will present a broad study of materials and finishes that define our interior environment. The specification, composition, manufacturing processes, construction and application/usability of materials and finishes will be covered. The course will provide a foundation for students to understand, identify, select, specify and apply materials for interiors. Lectures, demonstrations, projects and field trips promote the development of design ideas related to materials with an emphasis on sustainable materials and finishes. In conjunction with the IDD-3020, Design Studio III, the final project will culminate in a fully designed architectural and furniture finish scheme.

IDD-2150
Interior Detailing
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will refine drafting skills while emphasizing the complex detailing of interior design elements. Methods for dissecting ideas into viable design components for construction will be explored. Students will select interior elements of their studio projects to explore the intricacies of detailing and fabrication.

IDD-2212
Introduction to Revit: Building Information Models for Interior Designers and Architects
One semester: 3 studio credits
Students will learn the basics of Autodesk Revit and be introduced to the tools and concepts of working with a parametric building modeler for interior and architectural designs. The course will focus on creating a model in Revit using typical design phases.

IDD-2468
Design/Build Project I
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will introduce design/build practice and digital fabrication through hands-on methodology. Students will design and build models, mock-up small-scale prototypes and construct a series of individual projects using a variety of materials and machines to achieve their vision. Lectures, demonstrations and site visits are geared to reinforce fabrication methodologies and how design/build has been integrated into the modern offices of the design industry.

IDD-3020
Design Studio III
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will present projects that one is likely to encounter in a diverse design practice, including those for special populations. We will explore space and uses of geometry, and emphasis will be given to using models and perspective as tools with which to explore space. Students will employ a variety of drawing techniques to represent their ideas and designs, including hand sketches, hand-drafted plans, AutoCAD and other computer programs. Building codes, universal and sustainable design will be incorporated into class projects. Process books will be required for juried presentation of a final project.

IDD-3025
Design Studio IV
One semester: 3 studio credits
A continuation of IDD-3020, Design Studio III, this course will further develop hand- and computer-based drawing and drafting techniques for a variety of interior projects. Interior design and behavioral science course materials will be integrated.

IDD-3030
Lighting and Specialty Design
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will explore techniques and concepts in lighting design—lamps; luminaries; light and color theory, as well as the accompanying psychological, emotional and aesthetic effects of light and color. Students will complete a lighting design project that includes the use of architectural drafting to prepare a reflected-ceiling plan and lighting fixtures, as well as project scheduling and costs. Other specialty areas of design, including audiovisual, telecommunications and acoustics, will be discussed.

IDD-3100
Modern and Contemporary Interiors
One semester: 3 interior design art history credits
The richness and diversity of design in interiors, furniture and the decorative arts from the 20th century to present will be explored in this course. Topics will include: the Bauhaus, International Style, Art Deco, modern and postmodern (1950s and 1960s).

IDD-3110
Influences in Contemporary Interiors
One semester: 3 interior design art history credits
This course will address past and present design ideas and seek to project future tendencies. A case study approach will be followed where various program types are used to explore and contrast theoretical reasoning and historical design solutions. For example, museum and exhibition spaces will be examined to develop an understanding of critical issues in the public presentation of art: pedagogical vs. aesthetic imperatives; object vs. context; the myth of the neutral setting; temporality, as well as related technical issues in lighting and conservation.

IDD-3130 / IDD-3135
Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I and II
Two semesters: no credit
Each semester, students will attend two lectures by visiting professionals on current issues in interior design. Students will also research and attend two other lectures or events in New York. Scheduling of the lectures will be announced during the semester.

IDD-3150
Sustainable Design
One semester: 3 studio credits
Sustainable design is an important strategy in today’s design of the built environment, and clients are embracing it as part of their business models and mission statements. This course is geared toward the study of sustainable design strategy as good practice and as related to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Through case studies (in both the public and private sectors) and class projects, students will explore sustainable environmental design.

IDD-3212
Design Visualization
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will explore the 3D visualization programs and skills essential to the development and presentation of advanced projects. We will focus on building one model throughout the semester to become familiar with using Autodesk 3ds Max as a tool. The basics of modeling, lighting, materials and rendering will be covered.

IDD-3213
Advanced Design Visualization
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course is designed to help students communicate their architectural designs by exploring advanced rendering techniques using the V-Ray rendering engine, camera matching, and compositing Photoshop. Emphasis will be placed on production workflow setting up an efficient production pipeline consisting of AutoCAD, Autodesk 3ds Max, V-Ray and Adobe Photoshop.

IDD-3512
Design/Build Project II
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course is designed to reinforce the principles and expand upon the skills and concepts covered in IDD-2468, Design/Build Project I. Working in teams, students will design, mock-up and execute a full-scale installation or project. Lectures, site visits and demonstrations will cover fabrication methodology and how design/build integrates into the modern offices of the design industry.

IDD-4010
Design Studio V: Thesis
One semester: 3 studio credits
Design Studio V is the first part of a two-semester thesis project in interior design, which utilizes and incorporates the knowledge, experience and skills from previous academic studies. Each project will be unique and will be selected by each student and approved by thesis faculty.

IDD-4015
Design Studio VI: Thesis/Portfolio
One semester: 3 studio credits
A continuation of IDD-4010, Design Studio V: Thesis, this semester will include revisions and design developments to complete the thesis portfolio. This course will culminate in a juried presentation to visiting industry professionals and include a gallery exhibition of projects for the professional and academic interior design community.

IDD-4030
Interior Design: Professional Practice
One semester: 3 studio credits
Professional Practice will explore the nature of the client-designer relationship with special attention to providing marketable skills that clients are interested in procuring. Mutual expectations are identified, along with developing a working knowledge of standard forms of agreement. We will cover the resources necessary to provide services, such as office organization; managing people, time and money, and recognizing social styles of interaction. Students will have an opportunity to prepare and present proposals for interior design services to guest critics. This course will emphasize the importance of communication through comprehensive content, compelling graphics and oral presentation.

IDD-4040
Practical Applications for the Interior Design Professional
One semester: 3 studio credits
Opportunities are almost unlimited for interior design graduates who differentiate themselves in today’s world of innovation and competitive advantage. In this course, students will be exposed to what it takes to be competitive within the interior design and building industries. What does it mean to be a professional? Guest speakers will assist in discussion of available job and career options in interior design and related fields. Students will prepare both short- and long-term strategies for achieving a personal career plan.

IDD-4130 / IDD-4135
Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I and II
Two semesters: no credit
Each semester, students will attend two lectures by visiting professionals on current issues in interior design. Students will also research and attend two other lectures or events in New York. Scheduling of the lectures will be announced during the semester.

IDD-4272
Advanced Digital 3D Modeling
One semester: 3 studio credits
This course will look at ways to create three-dimensional digital models from start to finish. While focusing on AutoCAD, other software packages such as Rhinoceros and Autodesk 3ds Max (with their plugins) will be reviewed to discover the best-suited options for different design solutions. We will also look at practices for creating models so that they can be rendered efficiently.

In the first year, the objective is to introduce the principles of visual thinking, both in a two-dimensional and three-dimensional environment, and help you find the personal impulse that is at the core of your unique creative vision. We'll also develop both the manual and computer skills you will need to execute your ideas. By the end of the first year, you'll have mastered basic drafting, drawing, color and computer skills in preparation for the Design Studio process, which begins in the following year.

Required Courses
IDD-1010 Basic Building Systems
IDD-1020 Drawing: Perspective
IDD-1030 Drawing: Environment and Composition
IDD-1050 Principles of Interior Design
IDD-1060 Introduction to Designing Interiors
IDD-1130 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I
IDD-1135 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professional II
IDD-1160 Computer-Aided Drafting and Design 
IDD-1170 Introduction to Computer Design
IDD-1240 Furniture and Finishings
HCD-1020 Writing and Literature I
HCD-1025 Writing and Literature II

Over the next three years, you'll be presented with a series of design problems that increase in scope, size and complexity and you'll have the opportunity to work out solutions through the Design Studio process. In your sophomore year, creative basics are developed while you are introduced to advanced technical skills required of the professional designer, including preparing construction drawings and developing perspectives and renderings.

Required Courses
HPD-2030 Environmental Studies I
HPD-2035 Environment Studies II
IDD-2010 Design Studio I 
IDD-2015 Design Studio II 
IDD-2020 Color Theory and Rendering
IDD-2030 Building and Interior Systems I 
IDD-2035 Building and Interior Systems II 
IDD-2060 Presentation Techniques 
IDD-2100 World Architecture: Art and Interior Design
IDD-2110 Western Architecture: Art and Interior Design
IDD-2130 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I
IDD-2135 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals II
IDD-2140 Interior Materials and Finishes
IDD-2150 Interior Detailing

Design Studio projects are now substantial and sophisticated, touching on issues ranging from lighting, textile science and furniture design to preservation, green design and designing for special populations. Advanced methods of digital design will be utilized to enable you to create animated "walk-throughs" of interior projects.

NOTE:  The recommended course load is 15 credits per semester. All students should see their advisor about individual humanities and sciences distribution credit needs.

Required Courses
IDD-3020 Design Studio III 
IDD-3025 Design Studio IV 
IDD-3030 Lighting and Specialty Design
IDD-3100 Modern and Contemporary Interiors
IDD-3110 Influences in Contemporary Interiors
IDD-3130 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I
IDD-3135 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals II
IDD-3150 Sustainable Design

The senior thesis is the culmination of the program. You'll get to choose your own project, one that is based on a real-life client and in-depth research. Your thesis will demonstrate your mastery of all previous course work, addressing technical, functional and human requirements and providing a comprehensive solution that seeks to capture the human spirit and reveal a distinctive personal style.

NOTE:  The recommended course load is 15 credits per semester. All students should see their advisor about individual humanities and sciences distribution credit needs.

Required Courses
IDD-4010 Design Studio V: Thesis 
IDD-4015 Design Studio VI: Thesis/Portfolio
IDD-4030 Interior Design: Professional Practice 
IDD-4040 Practical Applications for the Interior Design Professional
IDD-4130 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals I
IDD-4135 Current Issues in Interior Design by Visiting Professionals II