The design of interior spaces and environments shapes our experience of the built world. The scale, mood, color, lighting, objects, spatial relationships, materials and forms that define a space all contribute to how we react within that environment.

In this course, students are introduced to the elements of interior design; they refer to historical and current examples, and they learn how to look at and decode interior spaces. Once students have grasped the fundamentals of design, they work on a series of short projects that revolve around these elements. They explore spatial relationships, qualities of color and light, and hard and soft materials.

Completing this series, with a focus on individual elements, helps students better understand their properties and uses before combining them in a single space. Students also learn model-making and presentation skills, so that they may develop and communicate their ideas effectively. Their work culminates in the design of an interior space that draws on all of their learning and practice.