About the Interior Architecture Program
The faculty of the Interior Architecture emphasis believes that the interior designer must respond to all of the needs of human beings: aesthetic, spiritual, physical, social and cultural. Focus must always be on the human condition and its context. We are committed to interior design as an expressive art form applied to the solution of human problems in three-dimensional space and form.Our curriculum is based within the applied arts and the liberal arts. It is directed toward the universal aspects of the design experience, in the belief that the most serviceable education will prepare a student to adapt to a constantly changing world, and to assume a role of leadership and responsibility within a global society.
Specifically, our purpose is to educate students by encouraging and facilitating their development both intellectually and artistically, through the study of interior design as an evolving discipline and an applied art form. We prepare students for professions in the interior design field with an emphasis on the betterment of the human experience, and a mandate to contribute to the advancement of the profession by embracing an understanding of the responsibilities of interior design practitioners, and the importance of ethical professional conduct.
Four-year graduation rate between 2014 and 2018: 55.6%
Job Placement rate for 2018 alumni: 88%
Full-time freshman attrition rate between 2016 and 2018: 11.7%
View and download the full breakdown of Student Achievement Data
CIDA-Accredited Programs
The interior design program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences granted by San Diego State University is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 45903.
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership to professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Arts degree granted by San Diego State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
Matthew Higgins, Interior Architecture
Assistant Professor
mhiggins@sdsu.edu | Office: ARTN-302A
View Matthew Higgins's Bio + Portfolio
Jun Kwon, Interior Architecture
Lecturer
jkwon@sdsu.edu | Office: ARTN-304A
View Jun Kwon's Bio + Portfolio
Gary Leivers, Interior Architecture
Lecturer
gpleivers1@sdsu.edu | Office: ARTN-505
View Gary Leivers's Bio + Portfolio
Philip Matzigkeit, Interior Architecture
Lecturer
philipmatzigkeit@sdsu.edu | 619-594-3789
View Philip Matzigkeit's Bio + Portfolio
Kerry Nelson, Interior Architecture
Professor Emeritus
nelson7@sdsu.edu
View Kerry Nelson's Bio + Portfolio
Junichi Satoh, Interior Architecture
Assistant Professor
jsatoh@sdsu.edu
View Junichi Satoh's Bio + Portfolio
Jill Winchell, Interior Architecture
Lecturer
artinfo@sdsu.edu | 619-594-3789 | Office: ARTN-461
View Jill Winchell's Bio + Portfolio
Interior Architecture Facilities
Computer Labs
The School of Art + Design manages seven high-end Mac computer labs, including a dedicated collaborative laptop lab. Although specific classes are often held in the labs, open lab hours are scheduled throughout the entire week so students can work on assignments. All computers are networked and have access to class servers for student file storage. The following can be found in each lab:
- flatbed and film scanners
- laser printers
- projector or large presentations display(s)
- 25+ high-end Mac computers with:
- Mac OS
- Windows OS
- Adobe Creative Cloud (all apps) and Director
- AutoCAD, Revit, Maya, SketchUp Pro
- Suitcase Fusion and over 2,500 licensed fonts
- Processing (for Arduino)
Tablets and touchscreen TVs
Additionally, classes have access to a mobile classroom set of iPads for product design and e-publication testing. Large exhibition touchscreen TVs are also available in specific labs to use with development in multimedia projects.
2D Digital Printers
Students have access to paid printing in computer labs during open lab hours. The following resources are available during those open hours:
- large format printing (multiple media types available)
- black and white laster printing
- color laser printing
Digital Fabrication Printers, Computing Labs, and Software
- Roland MDX-40 rapid prototyper
- Roland LPX-60 3D laser scanner
- plasma cutter
- non-ferrous metals laser cutter
- die cut ‘printing’ (screen printing room 481)
- CNC router (accommodates full sheet sizes)
- computing labs equipped with full range of industry-standard design and 3D software, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Rhino 3D, Flamingo, SketchUp Pro, Podium, AutoCAD, Revit, and Maya
Visit the FLab page to learn more.
3D Woodworking Shop
This facility is available to all students trained by faculty to use the equipment.
- 1000+ square feet of space
- a table saw
- 3 band saws
- 2 drill presses
- panel saw
- jigsaw
- miter saw
- belt, disc and spindle sanders
- additional bench room with solid wood table tops and vices
Full Interdisciplinary Facilities
Interested in interdisciplinary work across mediums? Visit our comprehensive facilities page to see all the resources we have available to students within the School of Art + Design.
Interior Architecture Visiting Artists
For a list of visiting artists and artist in residencies related to all disciplines, visit the Visiting Artist Programs page.
ASID (for Interior Architecture students)
Student Chapter
The Interior Architecture program sponsors a student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), which provides guest lectures, professional networking opportunities and career days for the interior design students. It also allows students to interact with other students and assume leadership roles within organization. Student membership earns students the privilege of Allied Membership in the national organization of ASID upon graduation.
About ASID
“ASID is a community of people driven by a common love for design and committed to the belief that interior design, as a service to people, is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. You can learn more about our latest initiatives by reviewing our strategic plan.
Founded in 1975, the American Society of Interior Designers is the oldest, largest and leading professional organization for interior designers. while the Society celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2005, the rich, vibrant history of the organization goes back further–much further–to the founding of its predecessor organizations, the American Institute of Interior Designers (AID) and the National Society of Interior Designers (NSID). The History of ASID: 30 Years of Advancing the Interior Design Profession was published in 2005 to commemorate the Society’s rich and vibrant history….
ASID inspires and enriches its members by promoting the value of interior design, while providing indispensable knowledge and experiences that build relationships. Of the Society’s 20,000 practicing interior designers, 6,500 practice primarily in the commercial field with 4,000 practicing primarily as residential designers. The remaining 9,500 work in both commercial and residential design. Professional members of ASID must pass rigorous acceptance standards: they must have a combination of accredited design education and/or full-time work experience and pass a two-day accreditation examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).
ASID Industry Partners include more than 2,500 member firms with more than 8,000 individual representatives, uniting the professional designer with manufacturers of design-related products and services.
The Society’s membership also includes more than 12,000 students of interior design. ASID has student chapters at colleges, universities and design schools with 2-year and 4-year programs throughout the U.S. and “virtual” chapters through Rhodec International and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online.” –from the ASID website
Become a Member
Please refer to the following links for specific information regarding:
For more membership information, please contact Instructor Natalia Trepchina.
Connect with ASID SDSU
