Interior Design

About this field of study.

Interior Design is concerned with the functional, aesthetic and socially responsible design of public and private spaces. This includes design schemes for leisure and recreation, business, retail, exhibition and residential environments. Interior Designers are creative people who enjoy solving problems and have a strong ability to visualise in three dimensions.

Areas of employment include interior design and architectural practices, office furniture companies, kitchen companies and the design teams of large corporations, government departments, hotel and retails chains.

Programmes Offered:

BA Interior Design
BA Honours Interior Design

What will I qualify with?

Programme Outline

BA Interior Design

1st Year. During this year, you are taught basic three dimensional design principles, visual literacy and communication skills. The emphasis is on developing research skills and on creative and critical thinking which you will apply to design projects as well as written essays. You will learn to think laterally and reflectively and use these skills to develop an initial idea into a workable design solution. You will learn to use modelmaking and drawing as thinking tools as well as a means of developing visual literacy.

2nd Year. This year is structured to teach you to manipulate space and volume within the context of Interior Design practice. Through completing a wide range of projects you will learn about construction methods, appropriate use of materials and finishes, the relationship of space and volume and various techniques for communicating your design proposals. You will also learn how to resolve design solutions through a process of interaction and discussion with your lecturers and peers. Research skills and a broad understanding of architecture and design in the twenty-first century will provide a theoretical basis for your design solutions.

3rd Year. In this year you will expand your design vocabulary and knowledge to allow you to solve increasingly complex design problems in a more sophisticated and eloquent manner, thereby equipping you for a place in the design industry. Projects may include design competitions allowing you the opportunity to gain recognition and to develop a professional portfolio. The subject Critical Studies will enable you to develop a personal philosophy of design.

Programme Outline

BA Honours Interior Design

This course is aimed at future leaders in design. It equips you to develop your initiative and to provide sound reasoning for your design decisions. The course incorporates an experiential learning component where you are exposed to the design industry. The design major module requires you to complete all aspects of a complex design project where you will become aware of the interrelationships of all facets of Interior Design including detailing, documentation and legislation affecting designers. Academic research also plays an important part in this programme.

Programme Outline