The Interior Design program consists of sequential undergraduate design studios that form
the core of this professional major. Basic architectural and design principles of form-making
are the initial focus that soon shift to issues of people and space.
This program helps students to develop critical thinking, creative design, and evaluation of
how interior design meets the needs of people, which is the essence of their professional
curriculum. Within the instructional settings of the upper design studios, students learn
about the dynamic interactions between people and space in commercial, institutional,
hospitality, healthcare, and retail facilities. Graduates develop competency in specific
interior design subject areas, as they learn how to creatively make the world a better
place for others. The program provides opportunities for students to achieve excellence
in the design of interior environments and also to engage in research and develop a
specialization in a related field and possible topics for advanced studies in furniture
design, environmental design, historic preservation, visualization, and interior applications
for computers, design research, and theory as well as design education.
Program Educational Objectives
The Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design program offered by the Department of Design at the Ramez G. Chagoury, Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Design (FAAD), aims at:
- 1.Providing the learner with the proper exposure to enhance critical thinking.
- 2.Developing the intellectual and theoretical backgrounds of students through the study of ancient, modern and contemporary history of Interiors, Furniture, and Styles.
- 3.Providing the knowledge of human factors and human behavior in the interior environment.
- 4.Leading students to develop the attitudes and values of professional responsibility and effectiveness.
- 5.Providing the students with the basic fundamentals in interior design, the theories of design and design sustainability.
- 6.Preparing the learner for professional practice and post-graduate studies.
Program Learning Outcomes
Interior Design graduates will:
- 1.Develop proficiency in communication skills using strong verbal, written, and graphic methods.
- 2.Acquire understanding of historical and theoretical influences on design.
- 3.Demonstrate an innovative and creative approach to design process through conceptual and critical thinking.
- 4.Employ technical skills and knowledge of materials and systems including related safety, environmental concerns, ecology, and sustainability.
- 5.Appraise the knowledge, understanding, and skills required for a professional interior designer, as global citizen and leader.
- 6.Initiate research to assess and develop a design project that requires service – learning skills in various cultural and social environments; and
- 7.Manage constituent ideas to give new concepts and/or propose alternative solutions.
Career Opportunities
Graduates in Interior Design will have a multitude of opportunities to engage in diverse projects encompassing public, commercial, and residential spaces. Interior designers often specialize in various design domains, including the creation of environments tailored to the unique requirements of the hospitality or healthcare industries. Their expertise extends to designing spaces such as restaurants, residential kitchens and baths, interiors of aircraft or luxury yachts, as well as engaging in historic conservation and restoration projects. Alternatively, some designers may concentrate their talents on the art of furniture design.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the University admission requirements, prospective candidates must complete all remedial courses, Math and/or English, if any, during their first year at Notre Dame University-Louaize. Students who fail to meet the above requirements will not be allowed to proceed to the degree courses in Architecture and other majors of the Ramez G. Chagoury, Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Design. All first-year applicants must complete the Admission Requirements.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a BA in Interior Design, a student must complete a total of 136 credits with an
overall GPA of at least 2.0/4.0.
All major courses with a grade of less than “C” must be repeated. The 136 credits
necessary for graduation are divided as follows: