FIDER Accredited

Foundation For Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)

Founded in 1971, FIDER , an independent accrediting agency , is responsible for evaluating college interior design programs to ensure the educational programs meet the needs of society, interior design students, and the interior design profession. FIDER has developed a set of guidelines and standards interior design programs must meet in order to become FIDER accredited. The interior design program at MTSU was accredited in May 1997.

The professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces. For the purposes of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the professional interior designer:

*analyzes the client's needs, goals, and life and safety requirements;
*integrates findings with knowledge of interior design;
*formulates preliminary design concepts that are appropriate, functional, and aesthetic;
*develops and presents final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media;
*prepares working drawings and specifications for non-load bearing interior construction; materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment;
*collaborates with professional services of other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical, and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval;
*prepares and administers bids and contract documents as the client's agent;
*reviews and evaluates design solutions during implementation and upon completion.

The definition above has been formulated by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, endorsed by the American Society of Interior Designers, and approved by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research.

Professional interior design jobs require synthesis of knowledge from a broad range of areas to successfully solve problems related to the physical environment. From the technical field, the knowledge of building systems, energy awareness, construction, and materials must be meshed with the appreciation of aesthetic needs such as color, light, line, scale, and texture. Add to this the economics of cost, selling, productivity, and manufacturing and the changing social, psychological, and physical needs of people as they interact with others and their environment. The result is a full circle of factors drawn together by the interior designer to provide environments that enhance work, play, learning, and living.

Career Opportunities

Since interior design is a relatively young and rapidly growing profession, it enjoys broad and undefined boundaries for career opportunities. Increased emphasis on the quality of spaces in which people live and work has expanded the designer's opportunities in areas such as space planning, office, retail and hospitality design, product design, and computer-aided design.

Representative Job Titles

*Interior designer
*Product designer
*Researcher
*Manufacturer's representative
*Advertising representative
*Extension specialist
*Furnishings merchandiser
*Computer-aided designer
*Set/exhibit designer
*Kitchen and bath planner

Educational Information

The Department of Human Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design which provides training in both residential and non-residential design, historical interiors, lighting, materials and finishes, furnishings, drafting, visual communication, CADD, and professional procedures. In addition to the support courses in art and business, a minor is required in Human Sciences which focuses on the relationships of individuals and families in today's world. Included in the general studies component required of all MTSU students are courses in English, history, sciences, mathematics, sociology, psychology, speech, and computer science.

Strict sequencing of interior design courses makes it imperative that students pursuing this degree maintain close contact with a faculty advisor to insure careful advising and scheduling of courses. Student progress is closely evaluated after completion of the sophomore-level design courses. At this time, students are required to participate in a portfolio review of their design projects by a committee of design educators. Students are then advised regarding their strengths, weaknesses, and potential for completing the program successfully.

The Interior Design program also offers students the possibility of gaining work experience prior to graduation through the internship and co-op programs. Internships are generally limited to one or two semesters of part-time work while enrolled in regular classes. The co-op program requires a longer commitment of three semesters of full-time work, adding an additional year to the four years normally required for the degree.

Potential Employers

*Residential interior design firms
*Contract/commercial interior design firms
*Architectural firms
*Real estate developers
*Government agencies
*Hotel/motel/restaurant chains
*Department stores
*Furniture distributors/stores
*Kitchen and bath design firms
*Product manufacturers
*Agricultural extension services
*Interior design magazine publishers
*TV/movie/theater/market production companies
*Historic preservation agencies
*Market centers/showrooms

For more information

Call or write:
Interior Design Program
Human Sciences Department
Middle Tennessee State University
P.O. Box 86
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2884

For admissions information:
Office of Admissions
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2111