Interior design concerns itself with more than just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space.
It is "practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise or improving lifestyle."
-- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the interior design program is based on a concern for human beings and the creation of interior settings that support human activities and values. After completion of the program, graduates should be able to think creatively and solve problems in a professional manner. Above all, an interior design education helps the student to develop intellectual curiosity, allowing the graduate to continue to develop as a person and as a designer throughout life. Upon completion of the program, students are able to analyze information, evaluate issues, and set priorities while generating creative design solutions for projects of a complex scale.
Program Mission
The mission of the Interior Design Department is to teach, challenge, and advance the body of knowledge concerning human experiences through scholarship, interdisciplinary interaction, and professional applications. As graduates, their ability to take the initiative, to make judgments of their own work in process and that of others based on their own set of criteria will contribute to future success as professionals.
Goals and Outcomes
Through the department’s recognition of the significance of WSU’s strategic plan, and accreditation requirements from its professional accrediting body (CIDA) and WSU’s regional accrediting body, the faculty has identified a single, comprehensive outcome.
Graduates of this program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully enter and engage the profession of interior design as entry-level designers.
The faculty has identified 6 critical outcomes essential for students to achieve the aforementioned goal. They will demonstrate the ability to:
- Define problems as it relates to the field of Interior Design
- Understand the meaning and impact of design as it relates to human interaction, technology, theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary efforts
- Analyze information, evaluate issues, and set priorities
- Explore and generate creative solutions via a systematic and coordinated design process that integrates functional and aesthetic concerns
- Justify and defend design solutions as it relates to socio-economic and global issues
- Convey intent in a professional manner appropriate to the audience
Top Ten Program
The graduate program in Interior Design at WSU is ranked in the Top Ten Best Programs in the U.S. by Design Intelligence magazine.
WSU students place smart housing
Thanks to another collaborative effort between Habitat for Humanity-Spokane and the Interdisciplinary Design Institute at Washington State University Spokane, a July groundbreaking is slated for eight sustainable, low-costing housing units that were designed by six WSU students last fall. Read More »
What can you do with a degree in Interior Design from WSU?
Check out this short video featuring one of our alumni.