This program is concerned with how form and space of buildings, light, furnishings, equipment, materials, and color can be used to create interior environments that enhance human experience, well-being, performance, and satisfaction. The emphasis is on a design process that links innovative interior design solutions to knowledge of human behavior, values, and attitudes. The Interior Design major at Cornell is unique in its ability to blend design skills and professional practice with an interdisciplinary education rooted in both the arts and social sciences.
Emphasis is on the designer as both artist and problem solver.
A basic premise of the program is that the professional practice of interior design should be based on enhancing the human condition. Emphasis is placed on programming, design development, and design and evaluation methods. The program brings together faculty and students with expertise in the fields of interior, industrial, and graphic design, architecture, art, design history, planning, building technology, environmental psychology, human factors and ergonomics, economics, and facility planning and management to work on problems related to the interior environment. Specializations Offered There are six interdisciplinary specializations at the Master's level in Interior Design. These were developed to fit a range of interests in interior design.