Create Space
Interior designers draw on an array of skills and knowledge — of 2D, 3D and 4D design; architecture and construction, materials and manufacturing; health and safety codes and much, much more — to plan spaces that support people and their goals.
The Interior + Spatial Design Program at Sage
Russell Sage College has the only accredited bachelor’s degree in Interior + Spatial Design between Syracuse and New York City. As an interior design major, you’ll learn manual and digital drafting, space planning and construction methods and how to apply sustainable materials, lighting, color, textiles and furniture to meet clients’ aesthetic and functional needs.
You’ll gain real-world experience with budgets and applying building codes at an internship, and you’ll add to your portfolio through a year-long, self-designed capstone project.
Upon completing your degree in interior design and the requisite number of work hours, you’ll be eligible to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, which leads to professional certification.
Faculty
Art + Design faculty members write and illustrate books, participate in juried art exhibitions and contribute to attention-getting design projects — but you will find that they are supportive teachers, first. Russell Sage College is a small school, so your professors get to know you and your goals. They’ll offer constructive critiques as you grow as a designer and help you to identify fulfilling opportunities and brainstorm creative projects — while you are a student and even after you graduate.
Interior Design Program Facilities
As a BFA student at Russell Sage College, you’ll have easy access to equipment like a 3-D printers, laser cutter, large format printers, Wacom Cintiq displays, scanners, audiovisual equipment, a vacuum former and more at the Art + Design Technology Center.
Two on-campus galleries attract prestigious exhibits and provide a professional venue for students’ work. You may also serve on the editorial board or publish your work in Vernacular, a student-run art and literature publication and annual campus tradition for more than 50 years.
The Interior + Spatial Design Club hosts speakers, a lunch and learn series, trips to showrooms and design firms and industry events with local chapters of the Commercial Interior Design Association, the American Society of Interior Designers and the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network with Russell Sage College’s entire Art + Design department and members of Albany and Troy’s creative communities at department-sponsored Artist Lectures, Opalka Gallery programs and other activities.
“All of our Interior Design classes are 15 people or under. You
really get a one-on-one experience with the professor and you really get to know your classmates.”
Lynn Capirsello
Assistant Professor of Interior + Spatial Design
Careers with an Interior Design Degree
You will graduate from Russell Sage College’s interior design program prepared for entry-level positions in interior design and eventual NCIDQ-certification.
Our graduates get great jobs in interior design firms, large construction companies, boutique architectural firms and consumer product manufacturers.
Recent graduates are working as a project coordinator at Cube 3 Studio LLC, designer at Standard Commercial Interiors, designer and sales representative at Best Tile, event designer and planner at Whim Events and as independent designers.
Alumni Spotlights
A bachelor’s degree in interior design prepared these Sage graduates for success.
Graduate Studies with an Interior Design Degree
A Master of Fine Arts degree is the next step for many interior design majors who want to continue their studies. Our bachelor’s program in Interior + Spatial Design is also excellent preparation for programs in architecture, education or other fields that align with your goals.
Accreditation
Russell Sage College’s Visual Arts programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190. 703-437-0700.
Application Procedure
We’d like to meet you! Come visit our campuses, get to know our faculty and diverse student body, even sit in on a class or two.
First-year and transfer students can find information about application procedures, tuition, financial aid and scholarships via the links at the bottom of this page.