Arts Thread

The B.F.A. in Interior Design is a challenging course of study for students preparing themselves for a career in a field with enormous possibilities and potential. Interior Design at Pratt provides a scintillating learning environment—New York City, interior design capital of the United States. It is widely acknowledged that interior design education, as it is taught across the United States, began at Pratt. Our alumni have made significant contributions to the quality and character of our built environment for decades and it is certain that tomorrow's graduates will continue that trajectory into the future. Since 2008, the professional survey, DesignIntelligence, has ranked the undergraduate program number two in the country. The interior design program is an architecturally oriented program with emphasis on spatial design as well as surface embellishment. All aspects of space—scale, proportion, configuration, and light source, as well as textures, materials, and color—are studied in relation to their effect on the human spirit. Students begin their interior design studies in the sophomore year, working in a stimulating studio setting where the learning is collective, cooperative, and competitive. Students work closely in small groups with their professor on projects that develop in size and complexity through the six semesters of design studio. The senior year culminates with a thesis project; students develop a body of research on a particular issue of the interior in the fall which they then develop as a design project in the spring. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many courses offered at Pratt that will enable them to fully develop their interests and talents. Studio electives may be chosen from any department in the Institute; an enormous menu of courses is available for the pursuit of individual interests. Interested students can apply to spend the spring term of the junior year at the Danish International School (DIS) studying interior architecture in Copenhagen. The program at DIS includes extensive study tours throughout Scandinavia.