BFA Interior Design Curriculum

HCD-1020 Writing and Thinking NYC

HCD-1025 Writing and Literature

IDD-1010 Drafting and Presentation Drawing

IDD-1015 Drawing: Perspective, Rendering and Color Theory

IDD-1030 Draw NYC

IDD-1050 Design Studio I

IDD-1060 Design Studio II 

IDD-1170 Introduction to Computer Design

IDD-1175 Computer-Aided Drafting and Design

IDD-1240 Furniture and Furnishings

Lecture Series

This lecture series features leading design professionals from the interior design, product design and architecture fields. The series is thematically designed to learn about specific and diverse realms of the interior design industry and alternative, but related, career paths. A range of professionals will offer insight and perspective into the varied aspects of their practices, and give students the opportunity to direct questions and seek career advice. Lectures are offered periodically throughout the semester. Attendance each semester is mandatory and a required component for graduation from the program.

Second-Year Requirements

IDD-2010 Design Studio III

IDD-2015 Design Studio IV

IDD-2030 Building and Interior Systems I

IDD-2035 Building and Interior Systems II

IDD-2140 Interior Materials and Finishes

IDD-2341 Introduction to Rhino and Digital Fabrication Concepts

AHD-2210 World Architecture: Art and Interior Design

AHD-2220 Western Architecture: Art and Interior Design

Lecture Series

This lecture series features leading design professionals from the interior design, product design and architecture fields. The series is thematically designed to learn about specific and diverse realms of the interior design industry and alternative, but related, career paths. A range of professionals will offer insight and perspective into the varied aspects of their practices, and give students the opportunity to direct questions and seek career advice. Lectures are offered periodically throughout the semester. Attendance each semester is mandatory and a required component for graduation from the program.

Third-Year Requirements

IDD-3020 Design Studio V

IDD-3025 Design Studio VI

HSD-3053 Lighting Design

HSD-3147 Sustainable Design

AHD-3370 Influences in Contemporary Interiors

HMD-3232 Critical Thinking for Interior Designers

IDD-3412 Design Visualization

IDD-3384 Introduction to Revit: Building Information Models for Interior Designers and Architects

Lecture Series

This lecture series features leading design professionals from the interior design, product design and architecture fields. The series is thematically designed to learn about specific and diverse realms of the interior design industry and alternative, but related, career paths. A range of professionals will offer insight and perspective into the varied aspects of their practices, and give students the opportunity to direct questions and seek career advice. Lectures are offered periodically throughout the semester. Attendance each semester is mandatory and a required component for graduation from the program.

Fourth-Year Requirements

IDD-4010 Design Studio VII: Thesis Preparation

IDD-4015 Design Studio VIII: Thesis

IDD-4030 Interior Design: Professional Practice

IDD-4210 Construction Documents

Lecture Series

This lecture series features leading design professionals from the interior design, product design and architecture fields. The series is thematically designed to learn about specific and diverse realms of the interior design industry and alternative, but related, career paths. A range of professionals will offer insight and perspective into the varied aspects of their practices, and give students the opportunity to direct questions and seek career advice. Lectures are offered periodically throughout the semester. Attendance each semester is mandatory and a required component for graduation from the program.

General Course Listing

The following course listing reflects the 2025-2026 curriculum. For further details on individual courses, such as meeting days and times, please refer to the Undergraduate Course Listing.

HCD-1020

Writing and Thinking NYC

3 humanities and sciences credits

This New York City-themed course helps students become critical and independent writers. To help establish a solid foundation in writing, the course introduces different types of writing using persuasive rhetoric in three writing genres—narration, description, and cause and effect. Course readings are drawn from a variety of New York-based texts, including historical documents, short stories, drama, poetry and essays, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts. By the end of the course, students will have an enhanced understanding of writing as a means to think and better communicate their ideas.

HCD-1025

Writing and Literature

3 humanities and sciences credits

This course emphasizes reading, critical thinking and essay writing. Students will build on their skills acquired in HCD-1020, Writing and Thinking NYC, in order to work on more complex essays. Students will learn how to research, use proper citations, and continue to work on their grammar and essay development. Readings are drawn from a selection of literary works, including drama, poetry and the narrative, as well as the critical essay.

IDD-1010

Drafting and Presentation Drawing

3 studio credits

Hand drafting, drawing and presentation techniques will be covered in this course, as well as the basic standards that help you create drawings that express your ideas. Topics will include an introduction to the tools and materials used in drafting, surveying existing conditions, converting survey information into drawings, developing plans into sections and elevations, clear graphics, and an introduction to converting hand drawing into computer programs such as AutoCAD and SketchUp. Guided by lectures, exercises and projects, you will learn how to create drawings with clarity and skill. How drawings are used to develop a project and its final presentation will be addressed.

IDD-1015

Drawing: Perspective, Rendering and Color Theory

3 studio credits

This course will focus on architectural sketching, perspective drawing, and graphic skills necessary to complete interior sketches that depict spatial depth. Students will develop and present interior ideas and concepts quickly, graphically and to a scale that reflects actual space dimensions. Interior rendering with an emphasis on drawing and with a variety of mediums and color will be explored. Hue, value, chroma and major color theories will be prominent topics.

IDD-1030

Draw NYC

3 studio credits

Sketching proportion and projection will be emphasized in this course, while each student’s drawing style is championed. Class sessions will be spent sketching from direct observation at various iconic New York City locations, such as Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. A special focus will be placed on interior spaces. Each site will present a different style or movement in the historical progression of architecture, from classical antiquity to contemporary developments, and will help students learn about the various elements and forms that characterize particular styles. The last portion of the course will introduce the use of Rhino for drawing spaces that had previously been drawn by hand.

IDD-1050

Design Studio I

3 studio credits

Basic design principles for interiors will be introduced in this course. Through two- and three-dimensional projects, students will explore line, mass, texture, volume, form, shape, configuration, symmetry, balance, proportion, scale, rhythm, repetition, emphasis, similarity, dissimilarity, continuation, closure, proximity, axis, alignment, light and color. An in-depth introduction to design principles will be given as well as an examination of the design tools needed to implement these principles in student projects. Each student will be encouraged to develop a personal vision within the design context. Projects exploring light and color are covered.

IDD-1060

Design Studio II

3 studio credits

This course will provide an introduction to the three 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-1170

Introduction to Computer Design

3 studio credits

Digital tools are constantly in flux. As software continually evolves, technical problem solving becomes a necessary component of project creation. This course will explore art-making using many of the digital tools provided by Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create composite images, illustrations and graphics that have both narrative and conceptual components. Adobe InDesign will be used to combine work created in Photoshop and Illustrator into a final project. Key concepts such as resolution, basic color theory and project management are included.

IDD-1175

Computer-Aided Drafting and Design

3 studio credits

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 an artistic and informative visual communication tool. The study will revolve around a semester-long project that contains various types of plans, elevations, sections and three-dimensional models of an interior space.

IDD-1240

Furniture and Furnishings

3 studio credits

The evolution of furniture and materials will be addressed in this course, starting with the 20th century and ending at the beginning of the 21st. Form, function, ergonomic and sustainable design aspects will all be considered. Identifying designers and manufacturers of freestanding and systems furniture is examined as students explore furnishings integral to interior design, as well as related products such as flooring choices, wall panel systems and a spectrum of lighting options. Students will employ their growing knowledge of these elements through assignments that require design choices. In addition, we will resource these products through field trips to museums, showrooms and workshops, as well as catalogs and online discovery. An introduction to specification writing will be given. 

IDD-2010

Design Studio III

3 studio credits

Students will advance their design thinking and problem-solving methodology in this course through design projects varying in scale, focus and level of complexity. Process, iteration and multidisciplinary research will be emphasized.

IDD-2015

Design Studio IV

3 studio credits

A continuation of IDD-2010, Design Studio III, this course will challenge students to work within the social, economic and environmental contexts within which a project is situated. We will consider the designer’s agency and potential for impact. A final juried project will be presented that demonstrates the application of skills learned, including technical, behavioral and cultural aspects of interior design.

IDD-2030

Building and Interior Systems I

3 studio credits

This course will introduce interior construction theory, methods, materials and techniques employed by the interior designers when developing design concepts and translating them into interior spaces. We will explore construction systems encountered within the built environment and their impact on human health, well-being and comfort. Beyond an introduction to various building systems—including structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical—this course will explore how building codes, acoustics, lighting and thermal design impact the quality of the interior environment. Sustainability concepts relating to building and construction systems will be discussed.

IDD-2035

Building and Interior Systems II

3 studio credits

A continuation of IDD-2030, Building and Interior Systems I, this course aims to develop an overall understanding of the building process and the technical aspects of interior design, including lighting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, acoustics and conveying systems. The primary focus will be on the design, application and arrangement of interior constructed assemblies. A secondary focus will be on using and developing details and drawings integral to the design and fabrication process. Discussions will include sustainable considerations in product and systems design; appropriate material assemblies; professional ethics; fees; building laws and codes; project and team management; and health, safety and welfare regulations considerations. Professional business practices will be discussed as they relate to the design and construction process.

IDD-2140

Interior Materials and Finishes

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.

AHD-2210

World Architecture: Art and Interior Design

3 art history credits

This course introduces a broad overview of world architecture and design history and theory from antiquity to the baroque period. Through presentations/lectures, group discussions, videos, readings, research and field trips, students develop an awareness and knowledge of world history in the built environment, interior styles, furniture development and decorative/material arts.

AHD-2220

Western Architecture: Art and Interior Design

3 art history credits

Design history and theory of Western architecture and interior design will be introduced in this course—from neoclassicism to aspects of the Industrial Revolution and the influences of modernism in the 21st century. Through presentations/lectures, group discussions, videos, readings, research and museum field trips, students develop awareness and understanding of American and European histories in the built environment, interior styles, furniture development, technological advances and decorative/material arts.

IDD-2341

Introduction to Rhino and Digital Fabrication Concepts

3 studio credits

The basics of Rhino 3D-modeling software, within the context of digital fabrication, will be the focus of this course. Current practices in digital fabrication will be examined, emphasizing applications for interior design. This course prepares students for advanced machineries like laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC mills.

IDD-3020

Design Studio V

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.

IDD-3025

Design Studio VI

3 studio credits

A continuation of IDD-3020, Design Studio V, 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.

HSD-3053

Lighting Design

3 humanities and sciences credits

Lighting plays a crucial role in the definition of space, affecting individuals and their interactions within this space. The topic of lighting design is both an exercise in technical understanding and the practical application of the principles of light based on the specific requirements of a project. This course will provide students with a broad understanding of the techniques behind the successful application of light for use in their assignments. We will explore techniques and concepts in lighting design—layers of light, light fixtures to create them, the science behind light and vision, color theory and quality metrics, as well as the accompanying psychological, emotional and aesthetic effects of light and color. The art and science of light will be explored through analyses, assignments, demonstrations, lectures and field trips. Each student will complete a final lighting design project as appropriate to their major.

HSD-3147

Sustainable Design

3 humanities and sciences credits

In contemporary practice, sustainable design is often driven by a checklist or matrix that is formulated to meet minimum standards. The approach and environmental impact of our work is often reduced to product specifications, business decisions and quantifiable results aimed at optimization. This metric-based application to sustainability may work for large-scale projects, but it does not work well for smaller or more individualized projects. This course will examine how design can make a meaningful impact on the environment by focusing on experiences. What we create must conserve resources while fulfilling our clients’ needs and desires. As designers, we have the responsibility and the agency to reduce the demand on natural resources and exceed the current standards for energy use in design and construction. 

HMD-3232

Critical Thinking for Interior Designers 

3 humanities and sciences credits

This course will examine the cultural, social and political contexts that inform and shape design decisions. Students will explore how interior design can affect change in human behavior as they develop research, critical thinking and communication skills and begin to define a personal value system as designers. Research tools, such as Edward Hall’s proxemics and anthropometrics studies and Edward O. Wilson’s theories of biophilia will be studied and employed. Students will analyze current events and cultural trends, learning through their own studies of the important role of the designer in making positive change through design.

IDD-3384

Introduction to Revit: Building Information Models for Interior Designers and Architects

3 studio credits

In this course 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.

AHD-3370

Influences in Contemporary Interiors

3 art history credits

This course will address and clarify the influences contributing to today’s interiors and the theoretical and practical sources of inspiration that have formed contemporary dynamic design structure. The work of significant interior designers, trends and contributions, and related developments in architecture, furniture, industrial design, technology and art is discussed. Attention is paid to what influences and inspires interior design today, including environment, structure, sustainability, function, technology, materials, resources, changing of values, international influence, social and cultural issues, economic developments, reverberations of the past, globalization, and vernacular presences, aesthetical trends, and cultural and psychological identities. Through an interdisciplinary approach, topics are presented through lectures, digital images, discussions, field trips, guest speakers, student presentations, videos and film clips.

IDD-3412

Design Visualization

3 studio credits

This course delves into the 3D visualization tools and techniques essential for developing and presenting interior design projects. Students will build multiple projects to become proficient in using D5 Render, and leverage AI tools to enhance their renderings as they gain a deep understanding of the role of design technology in the creative process. In addition to mastering the basics of modeling, lighting, materials and rendering, the course addresses principles of interior design, emphasizing the importance of material choice and design storytelling. Students will engage in weekly activities where they select and describe a range of materials, furniture pieces, sculptures, or other artworks, as they hone their ability to convey design choices to clients.

IDD-3413

Advanced Design Visualization

3 studio credits

Building on foundational skills, this advanced design visualization course focuses on sophisticated rendering techniques, camera matching and streamlined production workflows using Rhino, D5 Render and Adobe Photoshop. Students will explore advanced lighting, custom materials and AI-powered tools to create hyper-realistic visuals. Postproduction techniques in Photoshop, including atmospheric effects, will enhance storytelling. By the end of the course, students will have professional-quality projects ready for portfolio and client presentation.

IDD-3437

Introduction to Interior Photography

3 studio credits

Introduction to Interior Photography explores the history and techniques of photographing interiors, including architecture and landscape genres. Students will examine both classical and contemporary influences, focusing on the work of iconic photographers such as Ezra Stoller, Julius Shulman and James Casebere. Throughout the semester, students will develop the technical knowledge and skills necessary for capturing three-dimensional spaces and representing them in two dimensions. The course will also delve into the “psychology of space,” exploring concepts like "Non-Places," a term coined by theorist Marc Augé. Assignments will encourage students to explore a variety of interior and exterior spaces with a focus on light and composition. Smartphone applications for these photo-based assignments will be utilized, while students also learn about high-end DSLR cameras. Workshops will cover basic lighting setups for photographing models, color management, and other technical and aesthetic considerations. Additionally, lab sessions will introduce cataloging and editing techniques using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

IDD-3451

Introduction to Set Design

3 studio credits

Introduction to Set Design is a hands-on design/build experience with an emphasis on interior scenes. Knowledge of set design is useful in the hospitality design industry where full-scale model rooms or components, such as closets, are often built before constructing a hotel to test the space for usability and visual effects. Similarly, in restaurant design a complete table setting with adjacent furniture and lighting is mocked up at the design development stage prior to construction. In this course students will study the methods and materials to make temporary interior structures, and learn about the integrity of materials. There will be demonstrations of various techniques for building sets; students will explore useful materials for light construction to produce finished pieces at full scale.

IDD-3513

Furniture Design

3 studio credits

This course will introduce design/build practices and digital fabrication through hands-on methodology. Students will design and build models and mock-up small-scale prototypes, as well as construct a series of individual projects with a focus on furniture using wood and other materials to achieve their vision. Lectures, demonstrations and site visits will examine fabrication methodologies and how furniture design has been integrated into the interior design industry.

IDD-4010

Design Studio VII: Thesis Preparation

3 studio credits

Design Studio VII 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. Students will present a thesis project based on extensive research of a specific topic. Each thesis project must be approved by thesis faculty.

IDD-4015

Design Studio VIII: Thesis

3 studio credits

A continuation of IDD-4010, Design Studio VII: Thesis Preparation, this semester will include revisions and design developments to complete the thesis. This course will culminate in a juried presentation of materials, including models, to visiting industry professionals and include a presentation of projects for the professional and academic interior design community.

IDD-4030

Interior Design: Professional Practice

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. This course will emphasize the importance of presentation, communication and professionalism. A portfolio and CV review by professionals is conducted.

IDD-4210

Construction Documents

3 studio credits

In this course students will develop the skills necessary to produce contract documents, including coordinated drawings, schedules and specifications appropriate to project size and scope. How design solutions and interior construction are related will be examined, and students will create instruments of service that reflect these relationships.

Internship

3 studio credits

Students can gain valuable experience and broaden their professional network through an internship with an employer. Internships-for-credit are available to juniors and seniors who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. To receive credit, students must apply online during the designated application period, be approved by the Career Development Office, and registered for the internship by their academic advisor. Students need to work 150 hours during the semester (usually 10 to 15 hours per week), participate in a weekly online course with other SVA interns, and complete midterm and final self-evaluations. Elective studio credit is awarded for the successful completion of an internship. For more information go to sva.edu/career.