Mission
The mission of the Interior Design Program supports the larger vision of the university, college, and school while highlighting the uniqueness of the design discipline. The resulting program mission is to provide an academic foundation which equips graduates to design interior spaces that merge a passion for beauty with a responsible concern for safety, economy, and utility. Values that underlie this mission include the following:
- Well designed environments promote human well-being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Home environments shape the lives of individuals and families; work environments contribute to job efficiency and productivity.
- Interior spaces can be safe and functional while simultaneously creative, harmonious, and healthful.
- Ethical practices are important in the area of design as in other professional disciplines.
- Future designers will be expected to offer solutions to complex environmental needs in a society of diminishing resources.
- Interior design is a global profession; students should appreciate the diversity and preferences of other cultures.
- Interior design is a service profession to be practiced by caring individuals who value the needs of others.
- A positive attitude, personal integrity, strong work ethic, design competence, and interest in life-long learning are the keys to professionalism and success.
- Faculty should be role models of professionalism.
Program Philosophy
The interior design program follows an eclectic philosophy; that is, it draws on aspects of more than one major philosophy. As in idealism, the program relies to some degree on student understanding of historic precedent. Such precedent provides model solutions that have been tested over time. Pragmatism emphasizes the functional aspect of design. While the interior design discipline naturally values aesthetics, to pursue aesthetics alone without regard for function and safety produces a solution of limited significance. The present trend of replicating nature's processes in designing, constructing, and "finishing out" buildings is founded in realism. As with the present focus on sustainable design, a realist seeks to be in-step with nature. Through the combination of these three philosophies, the faculty seek to provide students with a well-rounded interior design education that will equip them for success as emerging professionals.