If you thought interior design was just about decorating, think again! Interior Designers engage with a range of interior spaces to create innovative spatial solutions with a thorough knowledge of building technology, materials and human environmental needs. Interior designers have a broad scope of knowledge of design and construction and use their expertise in refining the interior space to the highest level of function, quality and comfort and detail.
The study of Interior Design involves a sound knowledge of architectural structure, space planning, building materials and finishes, surfaces, lighting, interior fittings, and furniture. Interior designers work on the interior spaces of corporate offices, retail stores, restaurants, exhibitions, hotels, residences, and more. They often work in association with architects and engineers in planning, designing, and finishing the spaces of new buildings or renovated ones.
At the University of Johannesburg, interior design students develop the ability to solve design-related problems in divergent and creative ways. The scope of training opens doors to many career opportunities in the world of interior design and architecture where graduates will work with both the structural and aesthetic aspects of interiors.
BA Interior Design
Interior Designers engage with a range of interior spaces to create innovative spatial solutions with a thorough knowledge of building technology, materials and human environment needs.
The Department of Interior Design offers an undergraduate Bachelor Degree, Honours of Interior Design Degree and a Master of Art in Design. The Department’s facilities include designated studio areas first year to Master’s students and a centrally-located specialist computer studio.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are qualified for interior design careers in:
- Retail and commercial display
- Hospitality design
- Corporate design
- Exhibition design and display systems
- Residential design
Admission Requirements for the BA (Interior Design) (B8BA6Q)
- Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification with a minimum APS or M-score.
- Applicants meeting the minimum entrance requirements (APS or M-score) for the BA (Interior Design) Degree will be invited to attend an online entrance assessment and to submit a portfolio.
- Submission of a portfolio and participation in the online entrance assessment will only take place once you have officially applied to the university and have been invited by the faculty to participate in the selection process.
Recommended subjects include Art and Mathematics.
Average Point Score (APS)
A minimum APS of 23 with Mathematics or 24 with Mathematical Literacy is required to apply for the programme.
| Min APS | Languages | | Mathematics/ Mathematical Literacy | Other requirements: The submission of a specified portfolio |
| 23 With Mathematics | Language of teaching and learning | Other recognised languages | | |
| 24 With Maths Lit | 4 (50 – 59%) | 4 (50 – 59%) | Maths:4 (50 – 59%) OR Maths Lit: 5 (60-69%) |
M-score
This scoring system is used if the applicant completed school prior to 2008 or A/O levels.
A minimum M-score of 12 is required to apply for the programme.
| Symbols | | A | B | C | D | E |
| Points | Higher Grade | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| | Standard Grade | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Applicants meeting the minimum entrance requirements (APS or M-score) for the BA (Interior Design) Degree will be invited to attend an online entrance assessment and to submit a portfolio.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are selected by means of an entrance assessment consisting of:
· An online interview – testing your current knowledge of interior design and your interest in pursuing a career in this field.
· A written component –testing your basic writing skills and ability to analyse a designed interior space.
· A practical assessment comprising a drawing and a model – testing two- and-three- dimensional thinking and skills.
· And the submission of a portfolio – assessing your current skills, spatial understanding and creativity.
You will need the following equipment to complete the online entrance assessment:
- A range of graphite sketching pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, a metal-edged ruler, a cutting knife for cardboard, a tube of clear Bostik glue, a compass, one sheet of A3 cartridge drawing paper, and cardboard.
- A portfolio as described below.
Portfolio Requirements
- A portfolio of at least ten pieces of work is required.
- The work should ideally include examples of drawings, paintings or design.
NB: Submission of a portfolio and participation in the online entrance assessment will only take place once you have officially applied to the university and have been invited by the faculty to participate in the selection process.
Contact Details
Department of Interior Design
Ms.Nombuso P. LuthuliDepartmental Secretary
Telephone:+27 11 559 1115E-mail: [email protected]
FADA Information Centre
011 559 1115/ 1098 | [email protected]
BA Honours Department of Interior Design H8IN1Q
Purpose of the programme
The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design prepares students for research-based postgraduate study and entry into a design career by enabling them to produce creative solutions to complex problems within a specialist area of design and to conduct and report research under supervision.
Programme Structure
a) Minimum duration: One year full-time/two years part-time
b) Maximum number of modules per year of study:
i) Full-time: Five semester modules
ii) Part-time: Three semester modules in year one (Research Methodology, Design Theory, Research Essay); and two semester modules in year two (Interior Design and Design Project)
Admission requirements
An appropriate Bachelor’s degree with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final year modules.
Selection criteria
In addition to the minimum admission requirements as outlined above, prospective students may be required to present a portfolio of their own work to an interview panel.
Curriculum
| MODULE CODE | MODULE NAME | MODULE TYPE |
| INH8A4 | Interior Design A (1st sem) | Elective |
| DPH8XB4 | Design Project B (2nd sem) | Compulsory |
| RMH8XA4 | Research Methodology: Design A (1st sem) | Compulsory |
| DTH8XA4 | Design Theory A (1 st sem) | Compulsory |
| REH8XB4 | Research Essay: Design B (2nd sem) | Compulsory |
MA (Design) Department of Interior Design
The purpose of the programme is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The Master’s degree is earned by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation.
Admission requirements
A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree a “professional” Bachelor’s Degree, or relevant Postgraduate Diploma, with sufficient preparation to conduct research with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final-year modules. A relevant Baccalaureus Technologiae: Interior Design degree, with an average mark of at least 65% combined with a research methodology short learning component as recommended by a Status Committee and approved by the Faculty Board.
Selection criteria
In addition to the minimum admission requirements as outlined above, prospective students may be required to present a portfolio of their own work to an interview panel. A portfolio would be requested if further evidence is required of a students’ readiness to conduct textual or artefactual research. In the case of textual research the portfolio would contain examples of written research, and in the case of artefactual research a portfolio with design artefacts would be required.
Curriculum*
CODE MODULE: MID9X01 Research Dissertation: Design
MID9X04 Research Dissertation: Design
*Offered by the Department of Interior Design
Programme structure
- Minimum duration: One year full-time/two years part-time.
- Maximum duration: Two years full-time/three years part-time
- The research component comprises 100% of the programme.
For more information email: [email protected] or call 011 559 1098
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design P8AD1Q
Admission requirements
An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%
Selection criteria
An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%
Purpose of the programme
The purpose of the programme is to enable candidates to undertake research at the most advanced academic level culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of art and/or design. In certain instances, creative work such as designed artefacts, public performances, public exhibitions or other practice based outputs may constitute the partial fulfilment of the research requirements.
Duration of programme
Minimum duration: Two years full-time or part-time.
Maximum duration: Four years full-time or five years part-time
Curriculum
| CODE | MODULE |
| PAD10XA | Thesis Art and Design |
| PAD10XB | Thesis Art and Design |
Contact details: Name: Mrs Adele Maritz
Tel: 011 559 1126 / Email: [email protected]