FNA 3117 (LUOA), FACS 117 (LUO): Elements and Principles of Interior Design

07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 07/30/2026

Course Description

This course introduces the foundational elements and principles of interior design, focusing on applying design theory to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Next Start Date*

October 26, 2026

LUOA Equivalent Course*

  • FNA 3117: Elements & Principles of Interior Design, 3 LUO credits.

Program Restrictions*

  • DPL: Part Time Student (SPCA-DPL-D) Excluded

High School Diploma Requirements*

  • Contributes .5 credits to LUOA – Fine Art/Career/Tech Ed, Fine Art/Career/Technical Ed Requirement.

Rationale

Understanding design elements, principles, and theories is essential for interior designers. This course equips students to evaluate and apply design concepts, fostering harmony, balance, and functionality, with a focus on human-centered design.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and video presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in an introductory discussion. The student will submit a thread of at least 250 words in response to the provided prompt, sharing his/her plans for this course and its application to his/her future career goals. In addition to the thread, the student will reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. 

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 words. (CLO: A)

Discussion: Portfolio Presentations

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will upload his/her body of work from this course to his/her online portfolio. Each assignment image uploaded should be the final image after all corrections have been made. For each assignment or group of assignments, a general description of the project must be included along with a caption that includes the medium(s) used and which element and/or principle of design it demonstrates. The student will then create a thread sharing an active link to this portfolio for his/her peers to view. (CLO: B, C, D)

Scale Assignment

The student will select a multi-color patterned textile that has no less than a 4” x 4” pattern repeat. The student will manipulate the scale of the textile as he/she renders it onto a provided image to accurately portray its pattern repeat, and then again double in size. Both renderings must be uploaded in Canvas as PDFs and a copy of the original textile must be included. (CLO: B, C)

The student will create various renderings of an interior space using original photography as the foundation. The same photo will be utilized throughout this multi-phase project. Each rendering for this project must be submitted as a PDF in Canvas. The original photograph must be included as a JPEG.

Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Line Assignment

The student will create a line rendering of the interior space. The student will display an understanding of varied line weights using different Micron Pens to accurately represent plane changes. (CLO: B, C)

Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Shape Assignment

The student will retrace his/her Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Line Assignment rendering and create an original rendering of the interior space that highlights the negative spaces in his/her image. (CLO: B, C)

Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Visual Texture Assignment

The student will create an original rendering of the interior space using implied line and various Micron Pens to give the illusion of visual texture to his/her drawing. (CLO: B, C) 

Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Color Theory Assignment

The student will make 2 copies of his/her Visual Experience of an Interior Space Project: Line Assignment rendering and render them using color theory to demonstrate his/her understanding of and ability to manipulate the outcome of an interior rendering through color. (CLO: B, C, D)

The Interior Design Portfolio Assignment

The student will create an online portfolio to showcase his/her work from this course. This portfolio must include a clearly labeled subtab for this course and an About Me. (CLO: B, D)

Quizzes (7)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module(s): week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, have no time limit, and allow 1 attempt. 

*Course specifics are tentative and subject to change each year. For the most current information, please refer to the Course Registration Tool.

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