Undergraduate Studies in Interior Design
Interior
Design involves the diverse business of creating peoples' immediate physical
environment. Interior designers plan and furnish
the interiors of homes, public buildings and commercial establishments.
They analyze clients' needs and requirements, lay out space, prepare
working
drawings and specify interior finishes and furniture. They also specify appropriate
heating, cooling and lighting plans, prepare budgets and construction
contracts;
and supervise the installation of the design project. The OSU Interior Design
program is endorsed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association; graduates
may apply to sit for the Certified Kitchen Designer and/or Certified
Bath Designer examinations.
Major Requirements
An Interior Design degree from OSU will prepare you in a number of areas:
- history of furniture and textiles
- aesthetic and functional components of space planning
- floor plans, furniture styles, fabric, color and design
- technical interior sketching
- principles of pricing, buying and displaying merchandise
- government regulations affecting interior design decisions
To study interior design at OSU, you enroll in the Department of Design and Human Environment located in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Your faculty adviser provides you with academic advising and career counseling.
You have the opportunity to work with equipment in the computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD) lab. In your junior or senior year, you will be able to do a field experience.
This major has a wireless laptop requirement.
For specific course requisites within the major, see the OSU General Catalog.
Job Opportunities
With an Interior design degree from OSU, graduates have become interior designers for architecture studios, interior design firms, and retail stores focusing on interior design. Graduates have also, specialized in a particular aspect of design, such as kitchen design or space planning. Graduates have also pursued careers as furniture company representatives who show lines to retail buyers.
Growth in population and increase in personal incomes are expected to spur demand for residential and commercial interior designers.
Field Experience
The Interior Design Field Experience is a cooperative program among the Department of Design and Human Environment, firms engaged in interior design, and qualified junior and senior students who are preparing for careers in interior design. It combines the study of principles of interior design with on-the-job design experience.
There are two phases to the program. Prior to field experience participation, students study product development and principles of interior design. Students submit applications during spring term (one year prior to field experience summer). Students then participate in orientation courses (DHE 400) both fall and winter term to prepare for their work experience.
This is followed by the "Field Experience" (DHE 410), employment off campus during Summer Term. Internship sites are determined by mutual agreement of a company, the university supervisor, and the student. A variety of tasks assigned by the company provides the student with training and management experience.
During the employment period, supervision is directed by personnel in the employing firm. Contact between the student and university supervisor is maintained by weekly written reports and during the employment period. Seminars to discuss on-the-job experience in relationship to principles of i are conducted in those cities where sufficient numbers of students are employed. Written assignments for which the student gathers information about the organization and operation of the employing firm are completed during the work period.
Evaluation of student performance is done by the supervising personnel in the firm and by the university supervisor. This is discussed with the student as an aid in career development. A total of 12 credits are earned during the summer term of participation and "Field Experience" (DHE 410) is graded on an A-F basis.
The program is elective and qualified* juniors and seniors majoring in Interior Design are eligible to apply for admission to the program. The application process begins during spring term of the year preceding participation. An application can be obtained from the department office located in MLM 224 or from the DHE Internship Coordinator.
To be accepted the student must:
- Have attained junior or senior standing and acceptance into the Professional Interior Design Program.
- Have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (student below a 2.5 at the time of application can be accepted provisionally subject to attainment of the 2.5 by the term of participation).
- Have earned at least a C grade for DHE 399: Studio I.
- Indicate long-range career plans and some understanding of the requirements for a career in interior design.
- Show evidence of ability to assume leadership and responsibility and make mature decisions in coursework, previous jobs, and/or extra-curricular activities.
- Indicate willingness to carry out all on-the-job assignments in a professional manner and to use individual initiative during the on-the-job experience.
- Show ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
- Show evidence of ability and desire to represent the University and the Interior Design Field Experience Program at a professional level.
Examples of Recent Internship Sites
- Arbuckle Costic Architects, Salem, OR
- Corvallis Kitchen and Bath, Corvallis, OR
- Ethan Allen, Springfield, OR
- Green Curve Studios, Portland, OR
- IKEA, Portland, OR
- Jayne Sanders Interior Design
- Kitchens of Distinction, Portland, OR
- Myhre Group Architects, Portland, OR
- Olson Homes and Renovation, Keizer, OR
- SERA Architects, Portland, OR
Field Trips
Examples of possible course-related field trips
ASID Student Chapter:
Student Career Day, Seattle Design Center, IIDA Student Rally, Portland,
and IIDA Design "Crawl", Portland
Tours of furniture manufacturers, rug dealers, wholesale design showrooms in Portland
Tours of architecture and interiors firms in Portland
Tour and lecture at the Lighting Demonstration Lab of Portland General Electric
NCIDQ
The professional examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification is the test for minimum competency for the profession of interior design. At the present time passage of the exam is required in order to use the title Interior Designer or Certified Interior Designer in 22 states and jurisdictions.
The examination is offered twice a year, has six sections testing different aspects of the professional body of knowledge, and lasts two days.
Eligibility to sit for the exam is determined by the NCIDQ and is based upon a combination of education and professional experience totaling 6 years.
Where Graduates Are Now - Recent Job Placements
General terms for the types of jobs accepted by our Interior Design graduates would be:
- Entry-level Interior Designer
- Interior Design Assistant
- Sales Support
- Bid Supervisor
- Space Planner
- Facilities Management Assistant
- Showroom Manager
- Project Coordinator
- Manufacturer's Representative
- Kitchen and Bath Assistant Designer
Placement Rate
Our placement rate for graduates in Interior Design for the last 3 years has been close to 100%, for those grads seeking jobs. Continued growth in residential and commercial design is expected.
Some examples of companies who have hired recent graduates:
| Arbuckle Costic Architects, Inc. | Interior Designer | Salem, OR |
| B and I Furnishings | Account Executive | Portland, OR |
| CADD Advantage | Facilities Planner | Corvallis, OR |
| Commercial Furnishings, Inc. | Interior Designer | Portland, OR |
| Corporate Environments | Project Manager | Portland, OR |
| Corvallis Kitchen & Bath | Corvallis, OR | |
| Country Coach | Interior Designer | Junction City, OR |
| Diantha Knott & Associates | Designer | Portland, OR |
| Dull Olson Weekes Architects | Interior Designer | Portland, OR |
| Environetics, Inc. | Sales Associate | Portland, OR |
| Ethan Allen | Springfield, OR | |
| Goodnight Room | Portland, OR | |
| Group Mackenzie | Marketing | Portland, OR |
| Herman Miller | Portland, OR | |
| Leisinger Designs | Interior Designer | Salem, OR |
| Masland Contract | Contract Manager | Beaverton, OR |
| Molly McGowan Interiors | Interior Designer | Oakland, CA |
| Neil Kelly Designers/Remodelers | Sales Assistant | Portland, OR |
| NIKE | Beaverton, OR | |
| Ralston Architects | Interior Designer | Beaverton, OR |
| Robert Trotman Interiors | Portland, OR | |
| Smith Brothers Office Environments, Inc. |
Interior Designer Account Representative |
Portland, OR |
| SmithCFI | Portland, OR | |
| Sundeleaf & Associates, Inc. | Space Planner | Portland, OR |
| ZCF Partnership | Portland, OR |
