Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, BSID

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design is designed to be completed in four years. Changing majors, academic issues, or other unforeseen circumstances may necessitate additional semesters for completion.

The undergraduate program in interior design prepares students entering the design profession and graduate education programs. Interior designers engage in the aesthetic interpretation and organization of space, human activity, and experience. Interior Design professionals create exciting spaces that enhance quality of life, support human behavior and work processes, and boost productivity and efficiency. This profession is a nexus of art, technology, and science.

Graduates from the BGSU program find employment opportunities with interior design and architectural firms and may specialize in areas such as residential design; commercial design, including office design; health-care design; retail; institutional; and hospitality design. Students may become facility managers and manufacturer’s representatives. The four-year curriculum follows a well-designed sequence of studio and ID core curriculum courses which expose students to a variety of business cultures and organizational structures, provide interaction with practicing professionals, and provide exposure to multiple disciplines, representing many points of view and perspectives. The program is structured to provide students with the eligibility and knowledge to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. This exam is a prerequisite for professional membership in the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in interior design are expected to:

• Collect and analyze data about client needs and set priorities of those needs in the design process;
• Plan spaces using program information that effectively and efficiently relates the interior space to client needs, utilizing furniture, finishes, and equipment;
• Design using knowledge of how interiors affect the health, safety, and welfare of the client as well as whether interior elements comply with federal, national, and state codes, particularly those that pertain to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
• Incorporate principles of environmental sustainability in design practice;
• Creatively and effectively express design ideas through hand- and computer-generated drawings;
• Prepare contract documents to legally facilitate all the components required to undertake a design project, including selection of furniture, finishes, and equipment; coordination with architects, mechanical engineers, contractors, and installers; finalizing drawings, purchasing schedules, and code documents; placing orders with manufacturers; and arranging and supervising project installation.