Bachelor Of Science In Interior Design
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Create a Space for Everyone
The Interior Design program aims to teach students how to analyze design factors based on understanding the project objectives, goals and end user requirements. The course work includes design, analysis, construction and job administration. Students will be expected to conduct a wide range of research and on-site examination of areas selected for project work.
The primary objective of the interior design courses in the American University in the Emirates is to equip students with creative awareness, professional attitudes, imagination and technical knowledge required for this profession. Interior Design is a multifaceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are adopted within the building to maintain and achieve an interior environment through systematic design processes and techniques. The program objectives are as follows:
- Create a wide variety of interior designs for any project from concept stage to completion.
- Develop and implement designs through a variety of new and traditional design options.
- To become able to apply effective design techniques, principles and theories within one’s work.
- Learn and apply appropriate design tool and terminology.
- Use effective visual communication when completing projects and presentations.
The College has large design studios, state-of-the-art facilities provided with the latest electronic media and printing equipment and an extensive library filled with the latest tutorial educational resources relevant to interior design. They are all available for students to use in an engaged learning environment.
Students will be studying under the direction of experienced architects, engineers and tutors. Students will work towards projects in both commercial and residential interiors, developing a sense of how people function inside and outside these spaces. They will develop a range of live projects with themes including leisure and public interior spaces.
- Demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in interior design concepts, processes and practices.
- Use and integrate knowledge and relevant technologies, methodologies, and professional skills into meaningful interior design solutions.
- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills per industry standards.
- Produce a satisfactory body of interior design work, appropriate for a professional position in the industry.
- Appraise sustainable interior design practices in regional and global contexts.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
For undergraduate degree completion, undergraduate students must satisfy the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum CGPA of 2.00 on a scale of 4.00.
- Successfully complete all courses as described in the study plan.
- The Degree Completion requirements must be met within the timeframe of the program.
- Transfer students must successfully earn a minimum of 50% of the course credits for the program at AUE.
ACCREDITATION
Preparatory Courses
Prior to their enrollment in the program, students applying for Bachelor of Science in Interior Design must sit for the placement test related to the program, failure to successfully passing the placement test, they are required to enroll in the following courses:
| # | Course Code | Course | Credit Hours | Exemption Condition |
| 1 | CIT 90 | Computer Preparatory | 0 | Passing the Placement Test |
| 2 | DES 90 | Drawing Preparatory | 0 | Passing the Placement Test |
| 3 | ENG 99 | Academic Writing (*) | 0 | Passing the Placement Test |
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Course Category
Total Number of Courses
Total Number of Credit Hours
General Education Courses
10
30
Core Courses
12
33
Specialization Courses
21
63
Total
43 Courses
126 Credit Hours
PROGRAM MODULES & DESCRIPTIONS
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
10 COURSES | 30 CREDIT HOURS
A: University Core Requirements
The student selects 6 credit hours (2 courses) from the list below:
B: Languages and Communication Studies
The student selects 9 credit hours (3 courses) from the list below:
Students must take all of the following courses:
This course provides students with advanced writing skills in English so that they can successfully pursue their studies in various academic specializations. It helps students to develop, improve, and upgrade their writing and structure skills, and it also acquaints students with technical writing, research papers, and essays since brief research methods are applied in student projects and assignments.
Students must take one of the following Arabic Language courses:
C: The Natural sciences or Mathematics
The student selects 6 credit hours (2 courses) from the list below:
D: The Social or Behavioral Sciences
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below:
E: The Humanities or Arts
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below:
F: Islamic Studies
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
G: UAE Studies
The student selects 3 credit hours (1 course) from the list below
CORE COURSES
12 COURSES | 33 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines color theory as an aid to communication, control and expression in traditional and contemporary design. The fundamental course allows students to explore color topics including color theory, color interaction, and color psychology. Students will study a wide range of creative and technical aspects of color and its use in design, experimenting with traditional mediums and digital applications.
This course is one of the fundamental courses in which the students will be introduced to the visual elements of design comprising of: point and line; shape and form; surface and texture; color and value; light and shadow; negative and positive space. The students will practice design principles: unity and variety; similarity; emphasis and point of interest; scale; proportion; and balance. This course is designed to give the students a strong understanding of 2D and 3D visual communications.
Fundamentals of Graphic Illustration and Digital Imaging introduces students to the use of a computer as a powerful digital drawing and imaging tool. The focus of the course is on basic computer skills and use, mastering fundamental digital illustration and imaging skills, and developing efficient working styles. The course learning experience incorporates a variety of visual artwork strategies including but not limited to, color/ texture enhancements, typography, pen/ brush tools, , perspective tool, using different color schemes. This course involves considerable hands-on instruction and multiple projects using Adobe Photoshop/ Illustrator.
This course provides a core introduction to drawing, covering a wide range of basic and intermediate practical and technical skills. Students will explore approaches and concepts to the subject through manual practice using a comprehensive range of media and with reference to great masters in the field. Traditional and objective drawing skills in the use of line, tone, form and perspective provide the foundation for learning in this course. Students are required to develop their ability to observe, perceive and interpret through drawing the world around them, reflecting their understanding of 2D and 3D space.
This course introduces students to different drawing concepts and skills through observation and exploration of several drawing techniques. In this course, students will develop the ability to express themselves, learn problem solving, and exploring portraiture, figure drawing, landscape drawing, advanced compositions, and explore its impact on their specialization. Critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and a self-directed improvement capability are essentially required for this course.
This course introduces students to human centered design thinking methods and practices through a variety of hands-on activities. DT is a methodology used by designers for the identification of problems and the definition of innovative solutions. Students will engage in processes for idea generation including sketching and diagramming, concept mapping and low-fidelity prototyping infusing visualization techniques and empathic tools into their design process.
This course is a chronological survey of art and design offering students an in-depth understanding of the role of art throughout history with a strong focus on aesthetic values, socio-cultural influences and technical terminology. Architecture, sculpture, painting, decorative arts, prehistoric art, design of the ancient world, the world beyond Europe, early Christian and Islamic art and the art of the Middle-Ages and Gothic period form the foundation of the course material spanning a period from 40,000 BC to 1300 AD.
This course covers the extensive cultural shifts from the early Renaissance through to the 20th century. Students will study painting, sculpture, furniture architecture as individual works in relation to their geographical, social, political, and religious environments. Also, analysis and comparative study of periodic decorative elements, strong designs and architectural features will be conducted.
In this course, students will learn various techniques to construct objects in digital 3D space, as well as physical 3D solutions. Students will follow a concept development process of research and sketching, to generate designs for 3D production. A final original design, related to each student’s major, will be constructed using industry-standard 3D software.
The course is designed to promote interdisciplinary collaboration in design. Graphic, Interior, Fashion Design and Digital Animation are brought together into one studio environment to allow students with different skills and strengths work as a team solving a relatively complex design problem. Students develop a research plan followed by the establishment of intent and context for the topic and identification of stakeholders, leading to concept exploration and creation of a holistic design solution in cooperation with other specializations, institutes or with professionals from the industry.
Pre-Internship is a zero credit hour internship preparatory course designed for students seeking an internship. The course will prepare students to successfully plan their internship by researching and identifying potential internship opportunities, creating professional resume and letter of introduction, developing interviewing and networking skills as well as a portfolio per industry requirements. Students will go through different learning modules including experiences, team work skills, communication skills, leadership skills, problem solving, self-management and professionalism to be able to make the most of their internship.
The college considers students’ internship as an essential channel that brings together the college, the students, and the job marketplace. Furthermore, internship is a method that integrates the instructional theoretical backgrounds to real existing practice. The training allows them to work under the observation and guidance of the field supervisor without replacing any regular employee. The internship is closely monitored by a college faculty member as an academic supervisor.
SPECIALIZATION COURSES
21COURSES | 63 CREDIT HOURS
This course introduces the materials and finishes used in the design of interior spaces and the basis of their prospective impact on the function and aesthetics of architectural interiors, the users’ wellbeing and safety and the environment at large. The students will explore the wide range of interior building materials, which will develop their prospects for creativity in design solutions. Technical vocabulary and systematic concepts associated with materials’ sourcing, manufacturing and evaluation will be stressed. Finally, the students will be aware of their role as interior and product designers in preserving natural resources and improving the quality of interior built environments for the users through studying examples of best practices.
The student is assigned to research and identify a topic, and develop a detailed research proposal highlighting the goals, objectives, tasks, methodology and time plan. The topic could range from an academic research to school/ community service, student-developed business or any other area of personal interest. The student communicates regularly with his/ her academic-capstone advisor for review, while working constantly to improve the outcome by building upon previously gained expertise. The academic-capstone advisor contributes through meaningful feedback and setting expectations of standards, offering an opportunity for open-ended learning through self-reflection and improvement.
The process is documented, findings are compiled and presented orally as well as in writing through a capstone report.
The project is divided into three distinct phases:
- Research and topic selection.
- Conceptual and design development.
- Design execution/ design presentation, with necessary documentation and a comprehensive report.
RECOMMENDED STUDY PLAN
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Dr. Toufic Haidamous
Assistant Professor / Department Chair - Interior Design