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Lower Division, Upper Division, Outside the Studio, Vicenza Interior Design Institute
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An in-depth look at the History of Interior Design and Interior Architecture is offered in a two-semester sequence (IND 2100 & 2130). Students can take these history courses along with their other first year major and academic courses. The history courses provide a foundation for the design studios by integrating knowledge about historic interiors with knowledge about historic buildings, furniture, and decorative arts. History of Interior Design is referenced again in theory courses and design studios throughout the four years of the program. Historical reference is continued in the Architectural Design 3 course (ARC 2303) that emphasizes the analysis of historical precedents and creative design exercises.
Among the interior design courses in the pre-professional program is an introduction to graphic communication (IND 2313). This course provides training in a variety of hand media graphic techniques and stresses rapid visualization sketching. Instructors teach students perspective drawing and rendering techniques in this course. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences offers an introductory AutoCAD course for our students (CGS 2470). Second year students take Theory of Interior Design (IND 2635) in the fall semester. Theory of Interior Design (IND 2365) introduces the emerging designer to significant theories about the interactions of people and space. Students explore these theories through various types of analysis and evaluation. Application of theory is taught through projects where students critically evaluate buildings using significant architectural and environment-behavior theories as criteria for judgement. Thus, this course builds the critical thinking skills that are so important to creative problem solving. Application of theory is reinforced and strengthened in the third year design studios where students learn to apply theories when designing. Students take the first interior design studio, Introduction to Architectural Interiors (IND 2214) in the spring semester. This studio shifts the focus to designing interiors and builds on the creative problem solving skills learned in earlier studios. Past projects include designing the interiors of a patented flying saucer, an Erie Canal river barge, and ergonomic studies related to activities such as food preparation, exercise, or dining. The introduction of “Universal Design” and the interior designer’s mission of protecting the public health, safety and welfare are stressed. Students also take Materials and Estimating (IND 2422), and Computer Applications for Three-dimensional Design (IND 2460) in the same semester. Materials and Estimating (IND 2422) expands student's knowledge regarding the building materials and products used in interior environments. Course instruction is augmented by an introduction to the department resource center, field trips and occasional presentations from selected manufacturer’s representatives. Students' knowledge of products and building materials is further expanded in the third and fourth year and on the required field trips to Atlanta and Chicago. The second computer course Computer Applications in Three-dimensional design (IND 2460C) parallels the studio. We encourage students to utilize both newly acquired hand drawing skills in conjunction with their growing CADD abilities. Often the studio design project's presentation requirements include both traditional and electronic media. Near the close of the spring semester of the sophomore year, each student's work is reviewed to determine whether the student is ready for admission into upper division. Each student prepares a comprehensive exhibit of his or her design work. Our faculty evaluates each student based on a blind review of the exhibit of work, their letter describing their interest in interior design and their overall GPA, (a minimum of 2.60 on a 4.00 scale). Faculty select the best students for admission to the upper division professional program. Thirty-two to thirty-six students from forty to forty-five applicants are typically admitted each year. We counsel those students that are not admitted about their options. Sometimes we encourage them to reapply the following year, or we suggest that they select another major. Students entering the upper division professional program must have access to a computer. Students are required to use the computer in studios. We provide access to the network, printers, plotters, scanners, and lock down tables. In upper division each student is provided a workstation that is used for both semesters of the junior or senior year. Students are expected to work in studio and utilize their workstation. Additional computer labs are available in the College of Architecture building. Printers and plotters are being supplied by the University and College administration and by funds raised through alumni donations.
Environmental Technology for Interior Designers (IND 3468) addresses building systems with a focus on indoor air quality, acoustics, light and energy conservation. Students investigate structural and the building materials issues related to “green design” and environmental quality. Faculty within the College of Architecture, as well as faculty throughout the University, provides specific lectures on technical issues related to their expertise. This knowledge is applied within studio. For example, fall semester 1997 (IND 3215) adopted an environmental Protection Agency's Interior design competition focusing on indoor air quality. Many of the topics covered in the Environmental Technologies course were applied within this project. Spring semester of the Junior Year involves the introduction of Lighting Design (IND 3431). Throughout the semester, Students apply lighting design issues their studio project. They complete electrical plans, lighting schedules, etc. for the project. The Design Studio (IND 3216) focuses on designs involving store planning and healthcare issues. These projects involve increasingly diverse clients, users and deal with larger scales. Team projects and programming issues are also refined and strengthened, along with the integration of lighting design requirements.
Issues in Professional Practice of Interior Design (IND 4505) teaches students about writing contracts, understanding profit motives and how offices structure their design projects. Students learn about various management techniques and fee types. Instruction emphasizes designer-client ethics. This course's content give students a strong foundation and knowledge about professional practice. Thus, students' are prepared for their summer internships and their visits to firms in Atlanta and Chicago.
A spring semester field trip takes the juniors to Atlanta, Georgia. Students tour four or five of the top offices in the Interior Design magazines annual Top 200 listings, or the Atlanta Business Journal’s annual Top 25 interior design firms. Many of the firms we visit have principals who are UF alumni, CEOs or employ recent graduates. Viewing a variety of offices helps our current students set career goals and to realize that they are attainable. In addition, we visit Lithonia’s Lighting Demonstration Facility in Conyers, Georgia for an intensive three-hour lecture, tour and demonstration in their lighting design and education facility. We also visit the restored Fox Theater in Downtown Atlanta, The High Museum, and showrooms for Steelcase, Inc. and Hayworth, Inc., Herman Miller’s manufacturing facility in Rosewell, Georgia, and/or Knoll International, Inc. We have toured the Pond Design Studio that produces most of the product design for Interface International Inc., Interfaces production mills, and Catawba (a restored 1950’s residence used by Interface International, Inc. as a sales and meeting facility). We also go to the new Prince Street Mills just outside North Atlanta (designed by Thompson, Ventulet, Stainbach, & Associates, Inc.) and Herman Miller’s furniture factory in Roswell, Georgia. (See appendix H - Field Trip Itineraries).
Emory University’s campus is the final stop on the Atlanta field trip. There are several outstanding buildings with excellent interiors designed by internationally known architects /designers. Through visiting all these showrooms, offices, and museums students experience a wide range of interiors under the instruction of their teachers. While on the trip, students take photographs as part of a lighting design project that requires them to document and analyze lighting design installations. The faculty is frequently impressed with the students' accelerated progress after this field trip. It reinforces their choice of professional major and expands their appreciation of the professional opportunities within the interior design field.
We help many of our students secure internships in professional design firms during the summer following the junior year. Our Department Advisory Committee, the various firms we visit, and our expanding alumni network help to get our students these preparatory internships as well as post graduation job interviews. Summer internships, and the field trips, expose students to life in large urban settings than Gainesville. The metropolitan centers that our students visit and work in, plus, students' interactions with alumni who are successful practitioners, help students focus career goals before graduation. It also helps them to appreciate the value of their education. Students display an increased interest in using school to prepare for the work they will do as professionals. They understand how much they can learn both inside and outside of school.
Some of our students also participate in the College's specialized programs such as the Preservation Institute: Nantucket, or the Preservation Institute: Caribbean. These programs are offered to undergraduates during the summer between the junior and senior year. Some students elect to participate following completion of their senior year.
The senior year, synthesizes all previous learning experiences. The fall design studio (IND 4225) projects focus on high-end residential and corporate interiors. Senior design studio projects (often as large as 20-40,000 square feet) require interior detailing, code adherence and effective space planning. The primary focus is the development of increasingly complex and creative design solutions. Advanced Interior Detailing and Construction Documents (IND 4450C) employs detailing related to current design projects and includes steel and metal stud construction techniques. Architectural millwork and refined interior architectural solutions are encouraged. Course instruction also emphasizes fire safety in larger more complex projects. The final design juries often include guest critics related to the project focus. (The project may have been accomplished in the design firm’s office and the principal is here to conduct the review and jury).
At mid term, the seniors spend a week in Chicago or New York City. They typically tour offices of significant firms such as SOM, Inc., Perkins and Will, Inc., and Vickery, Oversatt, and Awsumb, Inc. Frequently, the firms who serve as our hosts also have offices in Orlando and Miami. One semester, a project in conjunction with SOM, Inc., of Chicago involved the design of an historic building being renovated for offices for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Students visited the building site, and were introduced to the project by Neil Frankel, ASID, AIA. This proved to be a rich and meaningful educational experience for both the students and the faculty. Visits to Chicago also include the sites of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, the Robie House, and the original Wright home and Studio in Oak Park. The Merchandise Mart and the many showrooms offer a first hand opportunity to see furniture and materials that the seniors might select for current or future projects. A photo assignment focusing on interior architecture and details is completed on this field trip. Faculty use this assignment to increase student understanding about how detailing reinforces the design concept. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and walking tours of significant architecture and interiors complete an intense week in Chicago.
Students generally have a medical facilities project, hospitality project to work with in their studio course (IND 4226). Concurrently they explore contemporary furniture design in Furniture Design (IND 4440). Students research and build a precedent piece of furniture at full scale, then build a contemporary piece of their own design. The innovative project integrates knowledge of history with actual building of furniture pieces. While building students' critical and creative thinking strategies, this project gives students direct experience with building processes. They also design a furniture piece at half scale due to limitations of shop facilities and time. Lectures in furniture design recall and reinforce many of the significant furniture forms viewed and studied in the first year History of Interior Design courses. Courses in design detailing assist the understanding of wood working, furniture scale, and detailing. Actual hands on experience in the wood shop facility in Design 1-3 and again in this course help to reinforce the student’s understanding of craft, construction, and materials.
The senior year is concluded on a most positive note. The senior class annually holds a reception for their families and friends on the Friday before commencement. The students exhibit various projects and parents have an opportunity to meet faculty, staff and classmates. Both students and faculty give out awards. The class recalls its time here with a photographic essay and gives the department a photograph of the class with all their signatures. This annual tradition, which dates back to the 1980’s, provides a wonderful capping to a rigorous period of study. The professional degree, the Bachelor of Design: major - Interior Design, is conferred at commencement on the following day.
