Students in the First Professional Interior Design (Track II) master’s degree program should refer to the University’s Undergraduate Catalog for course descriptions of Foundation Courses.
ID 512 Furniture Design Seminar
Provides the graduate student with an overview of the furniture design and manufacturing processes. Emphasizes development of design concepts, design meaning, acknowledgement of cultural trends, and generating study models to better understand construction connections and detailing. Research and analysis are required to structure the student’s understanding of historical furniture design influences and current trends in contemporary culture. 3-D modeling skills and presentation drawings will be created to convey design concepts. Prerequisite: ID 487. (3)
ID 513 Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
Exploration of the concepts, theories, and methods of computer applications for the design and development of interior design projects. Through individual projects, students use CAD functions to formulate, enhance, and analyze the design development and production phases of the design process. Prerequisite: ID 202 or ID 487, and permission of advisor. (3)
ID 515 Field Study and Advanced Rendering
Focuses on increased visual awareness through application of advanced rendering and field-study sketching techniques. The creative process of seeing and thinking to gain visual literacy is thoroughly developed. Specific sketch topics analyze forms of the built environment and explore new awareness in observational skills. Renderings examine light and shadow compositions, spatial concepts, and compositional frames. Computer rendering is integrated as a tool in the studio environment to transform the original sketches and further develop ways of design thinking. Prerequisite: ID 214. (3)
ID 522 Environmental Behavior Seminar
A systematic examination of behavioral determinants in the interior environment. The application of investigative methods, including observation, survey, and photographic techniques, to analyze and evaluate dysfunctional aspects of selected interior environments. (3)
ID 523 Methodology, Theory, and Criticism Seminar
A critical analysis of theoretical design models and philosophies of current interior design and architectural practice. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the design methodology and an ability to critically analyze interior and architectural environments. (3)
ID 524 Design Methods Seminar
Examines methods necessary for controlling complexity in projects in which design and implementation responsibilities are distributed among many parties. Individual and team design exercises are used to build skills and analyze issues. (3)
ID 525 Health Care Design Seminar
Focus on the application of principles and processes of health care design, including how the environment can support healing and promote well-being. Explores and analyzes interior technological and building-code issues for specialized facilities through design projects and research reports. (3)
ID 532 Construction and Environmental Systems
Explores factual and technical knowledge of the various components and materials in building construction. Concentration on the interaction of those materials, systems, and methods specified by interior designers and other design disciplines as they relate to the construction process in both commercial and residential structures. (3)
ID 533 Illumination Systems
Investigation into the various sources, components, and materials utilized in lighting design. Emphasis is on analyzing objective and procedural criteria for determining selections of lighting types and evaluating decisions made in the lighting design process. (3)
ID 534 Professional Practice
Investigation of business practices used in interior design, professionalism, and standards of business ethics. Includes inquiry into the relationship between the profession, the broader field of environmental design, and the construction industry. Synthesis of business procedures for conducting commercial and residential interior design projects developed through project development, including contractual negotiations with clients, contractors, and suppliers, and other business strategies-in-action. Individual and team presentations. Prerequisite: ID 580. (3)
ID 535 Illumination and Acoustical Design Seminar
An analysis of illumination and acoustical design, their impact on environmental systems, and their relationship to the design of interior space. Individual exploration of the qualitative and quantitative applications of lighting and acoustical design. Prerequisite: ID 533. (3)
ID 536 Technology for Interior Design Seminar
Study of current and emerging interior design systems technologies. The course examines technical and organizational approaches to solving problems in the interior environment. Case studies are developed and analyzed. (3)
ID 550 History of Architecture and Interiors I
An historical and aesthetic survey of mainly Western architecture, interiors, furniture, and decorative arts from ancient times through the 17th century. Stylistic developments, significant examples, important people, social history, and material culture are investigated, analyzed, and appraised. Historic research methods and case studies are examined. (3)
ID 551 History of Architecture and Interiors II
An historical and aesthetic survey of mainly Western architecture, interiors, furniture, and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present. Stylistic developments, significant examples, important people, social history, and material culture are investigated, analyzed, and appraised. Historic and material culture research methods and case studies are examined. Readings and individual or team research topics are explored. Prerequisite: History of Art and permission of advisor. (3)
ID 552 American Interiors Seminar
An examination, analysis, and appraisal of stylistic developments, significant examples, important people, and social and cultural history of the American home and its furnishings from the 17th century to the present. Architecture of the same periods is related to historic preservation, renovation, and adaptation. Readings and individual or team investigation into and analysis of selected topics related to the course are included. Prerequisite: permission of advisor. (3)
ID 553 Modern Design and Architecture Seminar
Investigation of the dominant theories, influences, and character of interiors and architecture during the 20th and 21st centuries and their relation to the preceding periods and effects on the present era. Individual and team inquiries and presentations. (3)
ID 554 Historic Preservation Seminar
Explores the significance of the historic preservation movement in this country emphasizing its relationship to interior design. Through individual readings, site visits, and presentations, students research and analyze the history of preservation and its legislative initiatives, as well as preservation projects and practices. (3)
ID 555 Historic Interiors Seminar
An exploration of significant period styles, finishes, furnishing practices, and social history in mainly American interiors of the past. Through readings and individual or team research and analysis, students develop restoration plans, furnishing plans, and/or modern interpretations of historic interiors appropriate for various entities, such as house museums or significant buildings. Prerequisite: ID 551 or ID 552, and permission of advisor. (3)
ID 556 Historic Research, Documentation, and Design Seminar
An examination and application of methodology for historical investigation and documentation. Work will include written and graphic records that define, analyze, and illustrate significant characteristics of historic building design and interior detailing. Through readings, field trips, field studies, and individual research, students will develop an historical context and appraise significant historical periods with cultural impact and influences on architectural design. Prerequisite: ID 554 and permission of advisor. (3)
ID 558 Interior Design Study Tour
Short-term study tours to a variety of locations provide an in-depth examination of the history and aesthetics of architecture, interiors, furniture, and art spanning a range of periods in the United States and abroad. In selected cities, participants will visit museums, significant buildings, and sites. Outcomes may be cross-cultural analyses of historical context and/or design problem solving. Prerequisites: 3 credits of Art History and ID 550. (3)
ID 580 Advanced Design Studio I
Prepares the graduate student for commercial design space planning. Design skill will be developed in programming and data collection, schematic planning, and design development. Emphasis will be given to increased awareness of commercial spaces and users’ requirements in public buildings with attention to program requirements, circulation, and the thematic development. Analytical methodology will be used in problem solving and in the application of planning and design principles. Students will synthesize design concepts with an awareness of the multicultural aspect of the current changing marketplace. Millwork drawings will also be developed for display fixtures with specific functions, construction detailing, and presentation techniques. Prerequisites: ID 487 and portfolio review. (3)
ID 581 Advanced Design Studio II
Emphasis on research and analysis of current practices and trends in the field of office design, and the application of those trends to the development of an office design interior project. Office design will be addressed through a phase-by-phase application of design knowledge as well as a topic-driven exploration of current trends and practices. Techniques and methods for investigation will be used in programming, data collection and analysis for schematic planning, and integration with design development. Synthesis of conceptual ideas will be illustrated in detail and generated into working drawings. Prerequisites: ID 513 and ID 580. (3)
ID 582 Advanced Design Studio III
Building further on the interdisciplinary experience of both ID 684 and ID 685, this course will apply a thorough research application design process to resolution of a complex design problem in relation to a mixed-use environment. Graduate students will employ case study analyses with comparison and contrast variables to isolate in studies. Researched study analyses will then be addressed and applied to final design solutions. Project outcomes to be defined with faculty advisor. Studio. Prerequisite: ID 685. (3)
ID 590 Practicum
This practicum provides professional opportunities relevant to the uniqueness of the University’s location near the nation’s capital. Formal arrangements are made with federal, state, or community agencies, or area industries. Prerequisite: approval of graduate program director. (3)
ID 595 Graduate Directed Research
Individual investigation into and analysis of specific aspects within the discipline of interior design. Under faculty supervision, students develop a written and/or graphic project and presentation focusing on an area of interest or design specialization in which the department does not offer coursework or in which the student seeks further development. Prerequisite: approval of graduate program director. (3)
ID 620 Research and Development in Interior Design
An investigation of the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct empirical research in interior design. Examination of common research methods used in the discipline and evaluation of published research studies. Significant research issues in interior design are explored through readings and individual or team empirical research projects and writings. Prerequisite: ID 581 or ID 626 or permission of graduate program director. (3)
ID 626 Graduate Seminar
Investigates theories and hypotheses and examines current design theories. Emphasis is placed on deepening awareness of theories in interior design and encourages students to evaluate their personal philosophies, concepts, and practices as they relate to the field of design. Through individual readings, investigations, article reviews, and research topic presentations, students assess their values and positions on current issues. Prerequisite: permission of graduate program director. (3)
ID 684 Master Studio I
An interdisciplinary approach to the resolution of complex problems in the interior environment. An appropriate individual project is developed in consultation with faculty. Computer-aided drafting and design are the preferred means of design communications. Prerequisite: ID 581 or ID 626. (3)
ID 685 Master Studio II
Investigation and analysis of the complex problems and issues existing in interior environments for diverse populations. Building on the interdisciplinary experience of ID 684, this course will apply a thorough design process to the resolution of a complex design problem related to large-scale, mixed-use development. Graduate students will research and analyze concepts for design character, square-foot analysis for programmatic areas, signage, way finding, and security issues that affect public spaces. Freehand drafting, computer-aided drafting, design construction detailing, models, perspectives, and PowerPoint presentations will be generated to convey design intentions. Prerequisite: ID 684. (3)
ID 698 Thesis or Design Research Project I
Identification and exploration of a significant question or challenging issue in interior design using empirical research methods and analysis. Provides opportunities for continued development of the graduate student’s creative and critical thinking capacities and challenges the student to expand the body of knowledge of interior design. Findings are presented in a written or graphic document and/or design project. Through readings and field studies, students formulate and carry out an individual research investigation under faculty supervision and critique. Prerequisites: ID 620 and ID 684. (3)
ID 699 Thesis or Design Research Project II
This capstone course is a continuation of ID 698. The thesis document or design research project employs research applications and inferences of analytical thought in the design process and communication of the design intent. Design projects or thesis findings and analyses are completed and presented to faculty. Upon approval, students mount an exhibition of their projects and/or study findings. Prerequisite: ID 698. (3)