The Ohio State University offers the Bachelor of Interior Design as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Columbus campus in United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for interior design and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 24, 2027.

About Bachelor of Interior Design

Study the planning and design of spaces, including commercial, residential and institutional environments. Learn to plan and organize spaces to create effective environments.

Interior Design

Degree: BSD

Campus: Columbus

College: Arts and Sciences

Students pursuing interior design at Ohio State learn how human needs and environmental conditions impact potential spatial design opportunities. They apply a sophisticated level of design thinking and design research approaches to the planning and development of public and private interior environments of all scales, placing emphasis on commercial, workplace, hospitality, educational and health care spaces.

Students learn and practice collaboration, sustainable design strategies and research-based design approaches through design studio and courses in technical and theoretical knowledge.

Graduates of the program are prepared to anticipate and provide for future environmental design requirements and emerge as design leaders.

Get started

Admitted students who indicate their major as interior design directly enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences declaring an area of interest in interior design. Entrance into the Department of Design then occurs by a two-part, competitive process.

The Department of Design selects a very limited number of students to go through its first-year design foundation course sequence on an annual basis. The sequence includes four required visualization and fundamentals studios, as well as two lecture-based courses. To be considered for selection to our Design Foundations program, a student must be eligible for Columbus campus coursework. Additionally, we encourage you to review the information at undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/who-gets-in regarding the University Admissions process for the Columbus campus, as the Department of Design reviews this same information and follows a similar process. We DO NOT accept portfolios for new first-year student admissions.
An annual portfolio review and interview process occurs at the end of spring semester. The students previously selected for the first-year foundation course sequence submit project outcomes from the autumn and spring semester courses in the form of a web-based portfolio. After these materials are reviewed by design faculty and finalists are interviewed, approximately 16-18 students will be offered acceptance to the interior design major program.

Students not accepted to one of the major programs via the Entrance Review process will have completed the requirements for the Design Foundations Minor and will be able to pursue another major in the university.

Curriculum

Freshman year

Design Fundamentals 1â€“4
Visualization Principles 1â€“4
Introduction to Design Practice
Design History

Sophomore year

Introduction to Interior Design 1â€“2
Design Research 1
Design Media 1â€“2
Materials and Processes for Interior Design
Interior Design Technology 1

Junior year

Intermediate Interior Design 1â€“2
Design Research 2
Design Media 3
Interior Design Technology 2
Collaborative Design
Design History for Interior Design

Senior year

Advanced Interior Design 1â€“2
Design Research 3
Interior Design Technology 3â€“4
Professional Practices

Study abroad

Students can take advantage of opportunities to participate in a collaborative studio with students from Mackenzie Presbyterian University in SÃ£o Paulo, Brazil, or to examine the history (and future) of design from an Italian perspective during Design Week in Milan, Italy.

Honors and Scholars

Interior design students are able to pursue the Arts Honors Program. Interested students should first join the University Honors Program and then work with their academic advisor during their second year to transition to the Arts Honors Program.

Research

Undergraduate research opportunities for interior design students begin on day one and culminate in senior thesis projects displayed annually at the Urban Arts Space.

Student organizations

Student organizations popular with industrial design students include:

Design for 90
D3: Design Develop Deploy, An Entrepreneurial Startup Club
International Interior Design Association (IDSA)
NOMA: Designers for Diversity

Possible careers

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Design take positions with design consulting offices, corporate design departments and government design agencies and work on consumer and industrial products, building and equipment systems, and public and corporate communication projects.

Students in interior design can find employment in interior design firms, architectural firms, furniture dealerships and any commercial setting such as health care or retail. Jobs may also be found within restaurant or hotel organizations.

Salary estimates

According to Coroflot's latest Design Salary Guide, the median salary for an Interior Designer is $50,200.

Program objectives

Students majoring in interior design will achieve the following learning outcomes.

Students will gain a lifelong desire and ability to create new knowledge and foster problem-solving skills through creativity and the application of a creative process.
- Students will apply design thinking and design process in all studio projects.
- Students will develop the ability to design and develop ideas for new products, spaces and/or interfaces that may not have existed before.
- Students will be able to apply design and creative skills learned in one studio to problems encountered in the new context of a successive studio.
Students will develop an understanding of a human-centered focus on design and research.
- Students will be able to conduct and complete occupant research studies for all studio projects.
- Students will create designed artifacts that will be evaluated by design professionals and potential users.
Students will prepare for a successful career in the design profession.
- Students will prepare a portfolio that documents their creative work throughout the undergraduate program.
- Students will develop the skills of presenting themselves and their design competencies in a professional practice context.
Students will develop an understanding of and familiarity with the tools and methods of the design profession.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in model-making techniques using various materials to explore three-dimensional design ideas.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of relevant design technology in the problem-solving and creative process.
- Students will exhibit proficiency in both 2D and 3D design methodologies.
Students will hone the skills that are central to communicating design ideas and solutions.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in drawing, sketching and digital visualization techniques for the purpose of exploring multiple ideas and using storytelling techniques to express them.
- Students will present and defend their design projects in public critiques.
- Students will be able to create documentation that describes the processes associated with a capstone thesis project.
Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for the role of the designer in environmental relationships.
- Students will be able to synthesize knowledge and skills learned in a liberal arts environment and apply them to issues and problems in their specific area of design.
- Students will develop a knowledge of and appreciation for the concept of sustainable design practices.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Interior Design at The Ohio State University

Entry Requirements

Criteria of our holistic review, in no particular order.

Successful completion of university preparatory courses
High school performance (class rank or GPA), including participation in accelerated programs like Honors, AP and IB; Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for class rank or GPA
Standardized test score (ACT or SAT); Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Ability and desire to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community
Experiences that demonstrate leadership or engaged involvement (e.g., co-curricular activities, work experiences or military service)
Status as a first-generation university student
Demonstration of outstanding talent in a particular area
High school performance if adversely affected by physical, mental or learning environment factors
Eligibility for and likelihood of benefiting from organized support services at Ohio State

Enrollment in your intended major

Once it is determined that you are admissible, you will be considered for enrollment in the college of your intended major. Read about

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

we require evidence of English language proficiency, unless you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Interior Design at The Ohio State University

How to Apply for Bachelor of Interior Design at The Ohio State University

How do I submit scores?

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.

Tips for sending scores to Ohio State

Scores must come directly from the testing agency. When you register for the ACT or SAT, indicate that you want your scores sent to Ohio State.
If you already took the test but didn't send your scores to Ohio State, you can order them for a fee. Order in advance to be sure scores reach us by the application deadline.
We must receive standardized test scores by your application deadline (either November 1 or February 1 for autumn semester applicants).
October 2 (SAT) and October 23 (ACT) are your last 2021 test dates if you want your scores to be considered for our November 1 early action deadline. Important! If you plan to test on those dates, you must request that Ohio State receive scores when you register for the test. And please note: If you choose to have your scores considered, you won’t be able to review scores from these dates prior to submitting your application by the November 1 deadline.
Applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years by their term of enrollment are not required to submit scores.

Is the essay required?

The essay is not required for either the ACT or SAT.

Should I take a standardized test more than once?

Ohio State looks at the highest composite score from a single test date. Taking the test (and having scores sent to us) more than once, while not required, may work to your advantage.

How does Ohio State look at scores?

When considering students for admission or Honors and Scholars selection, we consider the best official composite / combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests.

These items plus the Common Application (STEP 3) make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the deadline to consider your application on time.

Official transcripts

High school transcripts

Request that your high school or secondary school send transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates for coursework from the final four years (grades 9-12) to Ohio State.

How to send your transcripts to Ohio State:

Your high school counselor can upload the transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates using Common App, Naviance or other secure electronic delivery service.
Your high school counselor can email the transcripts to [email protected].
If electronic submission is not possible, please mail your official transcripts to our express mail address.
Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.

Foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language. Any additional requirements will be posted to your Applicant Center, so be sure to check your application status regularly after you've applied.

Official ACT or SAT scores

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.

How do I submit my scores?

We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent electronically directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. Read more about score requirements in STEP 1.

Optional: Recommendation from a teacher or counselor

While not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application.

If an electronic option isn’t available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to [email protected]; the letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.

Official proof of English language skills

You must request that your testing agency send official scores electronically to Ohio State demonstrating the English proficiency level outlined below:

TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition*): 79 or higher
IELTS or IELTS Indicator*: 6.5 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher on the English section
SAT: 27 or higher on the Reading Test
Duolingo*: 105 or higher

You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.

Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program. Ohio State does not offer conditional admission to students who enroll in the American Language Program.

*To accommodate applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will accept Duolingo, the IELTS Indicator and the TOEFL internet-based test Home Edition from any international student applying for spring 2022 or autumn 2022 admission. All Duolingo test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival to campus. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival unless they qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS score exemption.