design makes life better
INTERIOR DESIGN
Design the spaces where life happens. Interior Design students at The University of Alabama learn to create interior environments that support function, safety, accessibility, sustainability, beauty, and human well-being.
AT A GLANCE
Major: Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA-accredited and NASAD-accredited
Focus: Design process, critical thinking, user needs, sustainability, and the built environment
Preparation: Professional careers in residential, commercial, and specialized interior design fields
DESIGN SPACES WITH PURPOSE
Interior Design is about more than how a space looks. Students learn to research, plan, communicate, and design interior environments that respond to how people live, work, gather, heal, learn, and move through the built environment.
Through studio courses, technical skill development, and human-centered design thinking, students build the foundation needed for professional practice and advanced study.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Interior Design students build skills in:
- Design process
- Human-centered thinking
- Space planning
- Visual communication
- Sustainability
- Collaboration
- Technical and digital tools
- Professional presentation
A SEQUENCED STUDIO EXPERIENCE
Interior Design students move through a structured studio sequence that builds from foundational knowledge to advanced design work. Each course develops the skills needed for the next level of study.
Foundations
Introductory design knowledge, visual communication, and design thinking.
Residential Design
Early studio work focused on residential spaces, planning, and graphic communication.
Commercial Design
Projects expand into commercial environments, user needs, and professional expectations.
Specialized Interiors
Students explore design for specific populations, hospitality, historic design, and advanced interior environments.
Advanced Studio
Senior-level work supports professional presentation, portfolio development, and career preparation.
ACCREDITATION
The Interior Design program at The University of Alabama has been accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation since 1980 and most recently received a six-year re-accreditation in 2024. The program is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
WHERE CAN INTERIOR DESIGN TAKE YOU?
Interior Design students prepare for creative, technical, and professional careers in residential, commercial, and specialized design fields.
Career directions include:
- Residential interior design
- Commercial interior design
- Hospitality design
- Healthcare design
- Retail design
- Workplace design
- Interior design studios
- Architecture firms
- Materials, lighting, or product-related design roles
- Design project coordination
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Interior Design students use digital tools as part of their studio and professional preparation. Students planning to purchase a laptop should review the current Windows PC requirements before beginning software-intensive coursework.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Because Interior Design courses follow a required sequence, transfer students should contact the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design early to review credits, plan for portfolio review, and understand course timing.
EXPLORE THE DETAILS
INTERIOR DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Design the spaces where life happens.
Interior Design students at The University of Alabama learn to create spaces that support people, purpose, and experience. Explore the curriculum, visit the department, and see how design can shape the way people live and work.
PROGRAM MISSION AND DETAILS
Interior Design Program
Accredited for over 40 years by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the first accredited program in the state of Alabama, the Interior Design Program at The University of Alabama (UA) is one of the largest interior design programs in the southeast. Also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the UA Interior Design Program prepares students for professional careers in residential and commercial interior design. The coursework is designed to prepare students to apply to become registered interior designers. Career opportunities include employment with interior design studios, interior design divisions of architectural firms, retail establishments, and a variety of other types of positions.
Program Mission
The mission of the Interior Design Program at The University of Alabama is to provide the design skills necessary to prepare students for entry-level interior design practice and advanced study, including informed creative concepts developed through research that is synthesized and applied to design solutions. The program’s purpose is to help students understand the systematic relationship between well-being, the built environment, and sustainability while positively impacting human behavior and performance.
Program Goals
The goals of the Interior Design Program at The University of Alabama are to equip students with the knowledge and skills to:
- Creatively solve design challenges presented in a variety of interior spaces, considering human needs based on age, gender, health, socioeconomics, and culture.
- Acknowledge the value of varied human experiences and develop appreciation and sensitivity for designs based on different traditions.
- Effectively solve design problems through team interactions and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Make responsible design choices for human well-being and the natural environment.
Major in Interior Design (INTD)
The University of Alabama’s Interior Design Program follows a logical sequence in the curriculum, which begins with knowledge and skill foundations that build from simple to more complex requirements with emphasis on the design process, critical thinking, user needs, and environmental awareness. The Interior Design Program has been accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER), since 1980 and most recently received a six-year re-accreditation in 2024.
Windows PC Computer Requirements
Interior Design students wanting to purchase a laptop capable of running the software that is taught beginning in the Sophomore year will need to purchase a Windows PC.
Transfers
All students interested in transferring from another institution into the Interior Design program at The University of Alabama should contact the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design at least one year prior to enrollment, if possible, to verify transfer credits and plan for a required portfolio review. Transcripts, student work, project assignments and course syllabi are required at the time of the portfolio review.
CTD 121 Intro to Interior Design is a prerequisite for CTD 225 Residential/Graphic Design, the first official studio class, which is offered fall semesters only. Transfer students who do not have credit for CTD 121 Intro to Interior Design (or the equivalent) are urged to complete CTD 121 during the summer term in order to take CTD 225 Residential/Graphic Design the first fall semester of enrollment. Courses must be taken in sequence and cannot be skipped or doubled. C- or higher is required to move to the next studio. If CTD 121 is taken in summer, it will take a minimum of 3 years to complete the major due to course sequencing. Transfer students with core curriculum fulfilled should consider adding a minor, going part time, or gaining valuable work experience while they complete the course of study.
Course Sequencing
CTD 225 Residential/Graphic Design, CTD 226 Commercial Design, CTD 325 Design for Special Populations, CTD 326 Design for Hospitality Int, CTD 425 Advanced Historic Design and CTD 426 Advanced Design. Each student will be assigned an academic advisor who will help develop a plan of study.