Interior Design at Pratt provides the ultimate learning environment—New York City, interior design capital of the United States—and a challenging course of study for students preparing themselves for a career in a field whose potential has only begun to be recognized. It is widely acknowledged that interior design education, as it is taught across the United States, began at Pratt. That so many of our alumni are found in the Who’s Who of Interior Designers is no surprise. The Interior Design program is consistently ranked among the top in the country in an annual independent professional survey.

The Graduate Interior Design Program at Pratt, like its undergraduate counterpart, is an architecturally oriented program with emphasis on spatial design rather than surface embellishment. All aspects of space—scale, proportions, configuration, and light sources, as well as textures, materials, and colors—are studied in relation to their effect on the human spirit.

Students are drawn from all parts of the world and, by way of the Qualifying Program, from a variety of disciplines, creating an intellectually and aesthetically stimulating ambience in the studios. It should be noted that applicants to the Qualifying Program are not required to submit a portfolio when applying for admission. All faculty members are also practicing professionals who bring the realities of real-world interactions with clients and contractors into the classroom.

The program culminates in the thesis project wherein students’ competence in all aspects of the profession is demonstrated. The Exhibition Design Intensive is an alternative to the traditional thesis track and offers students a one-year immersion in exhibition design in the final year.

highlighted courses

Master of Science (Interior Design)
48 total credits required

A minimum of 48 credits is required for the Master of Science in Interior Design. Courses followed by the notation “(QUAL)” represent an additional 20 credits that may be required for applicants whose undergraduate backgrounds need strengthening in art and design.

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Textiles for Interiors

INT-532

The purpose of this course is to provide a thorough study of textiles, wall covering, and carpet as it relates to the aesthetics, application, and function in corporate, healthcare, institutional, and residential interiors. A great portion of this course will be devoted to practical application. These sessions will be held in environments where students would go to obtain products for their "real" projects.

2.00 credits

Qualifying Design I

INT-601

These are basic design courses dealing with people's relation to space, architecture and the environment in a broad sense. Emphasis is on human factors, scale, materials and structures. The course progresses from the abstract to problem-solving through analysis and includes consideration of professional design problems of moderate scope.

6.00 credits

Qualifying Construction

INT-604

This is an introduction to structural principles and construction practices in design and architecture. Emphasis is on the relation of basic structures to the needs of interior design. Consideration of problems and solutions of small-scale construction are explored. Construction drawings and details are reviewed together with lecture and discussion.

2.00 credits

Qualifying Arch Drawing

INT-606

Drafting techniques, perspective construction and lettering are taught as well as delineation, media and application. Advanced problems in rendering and presentation techniques are introduced.

2.00 credits

Presentation Techniques

INT-625

A study of presentation techniques is presented starting with a brief review of perspective drawing methods. The course develops the understanding of texture, tone, and color. Students focus on techniques of their own and develop varied rendering styles, including the incorporation of digital drawing and rendering techniques.

2.00 credits

Color and Materials I

INT-631

This course is an overview of color theory and color phenomenology as it relates to interior design. With a broad introduction to color theory, students manipulate visual phenomenon in two and three dimensional exercises. The final project applies these principles to a given interior using color and materials on architectural surfaces, furniture, and furnishings.

2.00 credits

Professional Practice

INT-641

The practice of interior design involves both office and project management. This course examines the legal, financial, personnel, marketing and communications responsibilities of a design principal in the field. It introduces the graduate student to the complexities of managing the execution of a contract interior project, including experience at a job site in progress.

2.00 credits

Lighting Design II

INT-522

This course covers additional areas and topics not included in the basic lighting design course. Emphasis will be on designing illumination for complex project types, including analysis of lighting criteria, development of design concepts and complete documentation requirements. This course is designed for the student who wants to utilize light as a major feature of their design projects and requires more in-depth information and understanding.

2.00 credits

3–5 Thesis II or Exhibition Design II INT-699B OR INT-672
2 Professional Practice INT-641
2–4 Elective Credits
9–11 CREDITS

Exhibition Design Intensive I

INT-671

The EDI is a two-semester immersion into the design and study of exhibitions of all kinds and is an alternative to traditional thesis work. It is intended for students who are interested in specializing in exhibition design or in exploring one aspect of interior design intensively as it relates to exhibition design. Design projects are supplemented by field trips and discussion sessions, and project critiques with exhibit design professionals.

5.00 credits

3–5 Thesis I or Exhibition Design I INT-699A OR INT-671
2 Color & Materials II INT-632
2 Concepts of Design HD-506
3 Elective Credits
10–12 CREDITS

6 Design II INT-622
3 Construction II INT-624
2 CADD II: 3-D Max INT-561
2 Directed Research INT-698 (Required for thesis.)
11–13 CREDITS

6 Design I INT-621
2 Construction I INT-623
2 Presentation Techniques INT-625
2 Lighting Design I INT-633
12 CREDITS

6 Qualifying Design II INT-602 (QUAL)
2 Qualifying Construction INT-604 (QUAL)
2 CADD I: Autocad INT-560 (QUAL)
2 History of Interior Design II HD-610
12 CREDITS

Furniture Design

INT-517

This is an introduction to the concepts, functions, materials and construction techniques of furniture design. It also is a review of design theory development in two- and three-dimensional forms of a basic furniture concept or design. Lectures and field trips prepare students to solve furniture design problems in drawing and model techniques.

2.00 credits