BFA | Purdue West Lafayette's Interior Design Program

Interior design is based on solving problems related to the quality of people's physical environment within a structure to achieve a built interior space. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically appealing. Interior designers must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The program instills the interior design process which follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

VIDEOS: Seniors meet with the Advisory Board Members

Freshman & Sophomore Years

Throughout the freshman year, students in interior design are given a foundational approach to design, art history, design history, and visual communication. The curriculum provides the fundamental theories, concepts, technologies, history, and tools necessary to succeed in the program. These first year courses are then expanded and explored more deeply during the sophomore year, as students continue to strengthen their visual communication skills while implementing the design process on project work. 

During the sophomore year students are introduced to the design process for a variety of environments. Students explore concept development, theories of human behavior, apply human factors, and employ universal design in project work. Students are required to pass a selective portfolio review in the spring of their sophomore year to advance to upper-level design and complete this major.

Junior & Senior Years

Once students complete the passage into the upper-level Interior Design program, the curriculum challenges students to continue to develop their critical skills through more complex problems. Students apply technical knowledge and skills to develop designs that adhere to code, regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. In these last two years of the program, students experience mentoring, skill development, and an abundance of opportunities from competitions, exhibitions, internships, industry connections, and an active chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) student group.