SUGGESTED STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR CORE COURSES

INTERIOR DESIGN I
Prepared by The Academic Affairs Sub-Committee, Texas Association of Schools of Art
January, 1999

A. INTERIOR DESIGN I (TCCN – 1320)
TASA course description – Prerequisite: The freshmen transfer curriculum. Interior Design I is an
introductory studio course in interior design.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Information
CIB #50.0408.51 30 Interior Design 6:3:96

Studio course in interior design. Includes instruction in professional techniques of designing the
interior of homes, offices, and industrial buildings.

ARTS 1320 (1 st semester) ARTS 1321 (2 nd semester)

B. FOCUS, PURPOSE AND GOALS OF COURSE:

1. COURSE PURPOSE:

The purpose of Interior Design I is to thoroughly examine the formal elements of two and
three-dimensional form through hands-on personal experience; observe the work of others
in the studio environment; acquire knowledge of historical and contemporary art and architecture;
explore a broad repertoire of media possibilities and visual thinking skills; and exercise critical
analysis of interior environmental works.

2. COURSE GOALS:

Interior Design I is structured and organized to develop each student's basis of visual knowledge,
critical thinking skills, and working disciplines so that by the end of the semester he or she will:
•  have demonstrated knowledge of the language of two- and three-dimensional form and space
as it applies to this discipline.
•  have a greater understanding of the cultural relativity of contemporary styles by increasing
knowledge of the history of art and architecture.
•  have demonstrated confidence in and strategies toward individual creativity within the boundaries
of discipline.
•  have demonstrated sensitivity for the psycho-physiological “language” of color within the
discipline of interior design.
•  have demonstrated knowledge of interior design as an integral part of cultural expression.
•  be able to critically reassess the environment of man-made objects and architecture.
•  have performed exercises in visualization and critical thinking
•  have performed basic technical practices with two- and three-dimensional mediums.
•  possess a higher level of perceptual awareness
•  have translated perceptual awareness into three dimensional plastic form
•  have demonstrated knowledge of and performed safe and effective studio practices.

C. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES – Expected student outcomes by domain:

1. COGNITIVE: (Development of critical thinking skills, conceptual constructs, specialized
vocabulary and art history.)

a. The student will be able to identify the formal elements of the language of two- and
three-dimensional form as it applies to interior design. 
b. The student will develop the special vocabulary of interior design, both in order to explicate
such works and to verbally discuss issues of quality.
c. The student will develop and understanding of the role of craftsmanship in articulating ideas.
d. The student will develop a repertoire of possibilities in the pursuit of the creative process as
evidenced in physical works of interior design.
e. The student will develop an understanding of the application potential of two- and three-
dimensional concepts.
f. The student will develop and understanding of concept vs. process in the design of interior
environmental form.
g. The student will develop confidence in the ability to assess quality in the design of
residential, commercial, and recreational interiors.
h. Each student will develop a thorough understanding of the building process.
i. Each student will be able to understand the principles of relative design studio technology
and safety.
j. Each student will be able to research and identify characteristics of historical and contemporary
interiors.
k. Each student will be able to write a fundamental, comprehensive analysis of the design of a
living/working/playing environment.
l. Each student will be able to offer a fundamental oral critique of interior design solutions.
m. Each student will be able to participate in group critiques.
n. The student will demonstrate interest in interior design by seeking design information from a variety of
sources such as books, periodicals, exhibitions, museums, etc.
o. The student will demonstrate a capacity for synthesis by creating designs which incorporate and unify
disparate elements, processes, motifs, and concepts.
p. Each student will be able to use vocabulary specific to the interior design processes.

2. PSYCHOMOTOR: (Development of manipulative, work-oriented skills ;demonstration of specific skills)

a. Each student is required to complete a range of projects that explore various approaches
to controlling the viewer's attention, merging medium and concept, and engaging the creative process.
b. Each student will demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by using a variety of technical and conceptual
strategies in resolving interior design problems.
c. The student will demonstrate fluency by producing several different solutions to the same problem.
d. The student will be able to understand studio technology and safety.
e. The student will be able to control form so that a finished presentation is accomplished, including
architectural weight/support sufficiency.
f. The student will be able to create two- and three-dimensional forms, which explore various design
concepts.
g. The student will demonstrate respect for interior design by presenting neat, clean, well -
crafted projects.
h. Each student will be able to create installations for ideal contextual viewing.
i. Each student will be able to effectively assemble various media fro the construction of
required projects.
j. Each student will be able to control form so that a finished presentation is accomplished.
k. Each student will be able to apply the unifying principles of design to functional interior environments
(including repetition, variety, rhythm, balance, emphasis, and economy).
l. Each student will be able to orally critique interior design projects.

3. AFFECTIVE: (Development of behavioral skills which help the student acquire a positive attitude toward self,

other students, faculty, facilities and equipment, housekeeping in the work area, and the ability to carry out
directions, meet deadlines, meet attendance requirements, etc.)
a. The student will demonstrate interest in interior design by regular and punctual class
attendance.
b. The student will demonstrate the ability to follow task instructions as well as intrinsic motivation by
persistence in staying on task and frequently exceeding the production requirements set by the instructor.
c. The student will demonstrate courage and tenacity by persistence in resolving interior design
problems and completing assignments in a timely manner – by repeated attempts to resolve or
improve upon solutions to these problems, especially in the face of risk taking and failure.
d. The student will demonstrate resistance to premature closure and openness to discovery by allowing
technical and conceptual processes to evolve and by permitting and even seeking a variety of sources and
processes to generate design ideas and products.
e. Each student will demonstrate the ability to self-initiate tasks.
f. The student will demonstrate awareness by producing interior designs in which nuance is evident
(nuance in form, nuance in content).
g. the student will demonstrate independence of judgment (and resistance to peer sanctions)
by producing interior designs which are personally unique or unusual in character.
h. the student will demonstrate confidence by his or her willingness to attempt difficult or complex design
problems.
i. The student will demonstrate persistence in working on interior design problems in which neither the
problem or the solution is clearly evident or defined.
j. The student will observe safe studio and shop practices.
k. The student will demonstrate an ability to analyze by verbally identifying and articulating the salient
elements in particular interior designs.
l. Each student will demonstrate the ability to focus on personal and group objectives.
m. Each student will participate in group critiques.
n. Each student will demonstrate the ability to dialogue effectively.
o. Each student will demonstrate that the disciplined focus of class objectives can be used as creative
stimulus.
p. The student will demonstrate the ability to tolerate diverse views.
q. The student will demonstrate the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism.
r. The student will demonstrate the ability to participate in class discussion and demonstrate critical
thinking skills.
s. The student will demonstrate interest in interior design by asking relevant questions and participating,
without prompting, in group and individual critiques.
t. The student will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the studio working environment.
u. The student will demonstrate the ability to prepare adequately for examinations.