Interior Design Issues and Theories

Learners will examine how interior design shapes society, culture, and our relationship with both natural and built environments. Learners will study the evolution and interconnection of design disciplines, developing analytical tools to understand the spaces and objects that surround us.

Key Benefits:

Core competencies include contextual analysis of social, economic, cultural, and physical influences on interior design; understanding historical movements and political forces shaping built environments; knowledge of significant design traditions, theories, and material culture in interior design, furniture, decorative arts, and architecture; and effective communication of research findings through visual and written formats.

What's Included:

This course is offered as a series of modules, with content broken down into key topic areas. These modules are meant to be completed in sequential order. In each of these modules, you will see a variety of content: multiple examples that will illustrate the key topics and issues, a diversity of examples, to communicate the breadth and richness that design has in the built environment and our own lives, recommended readings and resources assignments allowing you to reflect and respond to what you've learned, and a concluding quiz to summarize the module content.

Required Resources:

• The book: An Introduction to Design and Culture, 4th edition, by Penny Sparke, Routledge, 2019, ISBN 9781138495852. The physical or electronic versions of the book have the same content, but buy or rent the 4th edition, as previous editions lack a third of the chapters we will cover in the course.
• A computer with a reliable internet connection.
• A camera (a laptop/phone camera works).
• And of course, make sure to create a study routine and space that works for you--this makes all the difference in staying on track and completing the course!

These activities are designed to give you hands-on experience and a thorough understanding of interior design histories and theories.

This course is part of the MIA+: Introduction to Interior Architecture program. When all courses in the program are completed, learners will fulfill the portfolio requirements for applying to the ASU Master of Interior Architecture 3-year degree, provided they hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent outside of interior design. Learn more about the ASU MIA program and application process here.