Interior Design frequently asked questions

Accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the interior design program offers a wide range of courses, an internship opportunity, and an excellent faculty. Classes are small, which means more interaction between professors and students.

Is this major a fit for me?

Creative thinkers with an eye for detail flourish in a field that shapes our surroundings. Interior designers draw on their knowledge from architecture, product design, and environmental psychology. The interior design program develops skills in drafting, client analysis, and space planning combined with your creative use of the principles and elements of design. Our program is accredited by both CIDA, Council for Interior Design Accreditation, and NASAD, the National Association of Schools for Art and Design.

Will anyone be there to guide me?

You will work one-on-one with a faculty advisor throughout your academic career. Faculty take an active part in supporting students through mentoring in individual directed study, undergraduate research projects, portfolio reviews, working with an advisory board, as well as providing information about the NCIDQ, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, exam.

How can I get involved?

The program offers a student organization, IDSA, Interior Design Student Association, which matches freshmen with upper level students for support. ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers offers student membership in a professional design organization as well as opportunities to learn from practitioners and network.

Will I learn outside a lecture hall?

You will have a variety of venues for building your design skills. Our program utilizes studios with drafting tables and pinup space for critique, as well as computer labs equipped with Sketch Up, Photoshop, AutoCAD, and Revit for digital design work.

Will I get to know my major professors?

Absolutely. Studio size is small and you will have ample opportunity to interact with your professors. You will build relationships with peers and faculty members through in-depth explorations of studio projects that include both small and large residences, commercial environments and documentation for historic structures.

Where do graduates of the program typically work?

Graduates find positions in a wide range of areas including: architectural and design firms specializing in residential and contract or commercial design; design departments for corporations such as banks, public utilities, hospitality, retail, public institutions, government, and health care design. In addition many graduates have careers in the paint, flooring, furniture, and lighting industries.

Come for a visit

We welcome your interest in our program. While a personal visit is not required for admission, it helps you gain perspective about our programs, students, faculty, and facilities. To arrange for a campus visit or request additional information, write or call the Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design, Box 870158, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0158 or (205) 348-6176.