Program Overview
Living, learning, working – the greatest amount of time we spend is in indoor built spaces, an essential hub for all human activity. A well designed space can serve as a silent conduit for inspiring greater activity, relaxation, and inspiration – an interactive form of art that serves to guide the mood of the user. In the art of interior design, the designer’s role is to dictate the aesthetic and usability of a space, to render the architecture liveable, bring function and form while manipulating the humour, condition, and climate. An interdisciplinary cross-section of art, architecture, and design, here at the Department of Art & Design, we encourage those who choose the field of interior design to find their path through an all-inclusive curriculum, that seeks paths by examining and investigating unorthodox methods of art marking.
The culture of any community is best found in its habitats – the living spaces oft represent not only the visual aesthetics but local traditions and climes, through the shape, form, materials. The structure can speak multitudes about the formation of the local community, values, and ideals. Here at the Department of Art & Design, in the Bachelor of Interior Design program, the designer is asked to question one’s role as a citizen designer, to consider the local design in context of the contemporary, the needs of the user and of the society, and to find the balance between individual identity, formation of imagination, and social responsibility. By employing a varied method of study, combining basic theory and established industry standards with experimental methods of art such as music, arts, and visual design, the student is taught to be an individual whose unique design can stand amongst international standards.
Program Objectives
The Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) is a 4 Year Degree program at COMSATS University that offers a detailed study of the contemporary advancement in concepts and technologies related to the program, and reflect the social ideals prevalent in our era, as summed up in the following general objectives:
- To comprehensively cover the history and theory of architecture and interiors, utilising techniques to hone the drawing and observation skill sets (in traditional and digital mediums), providing knowledge of using the latest software applications, while providing management and legal awareness about the professional practice of Interior Design.
- To engage students in intensive studio projects that enable the future designers not only to connect their creativity to their cultural bases and roots, but also to global contemporary innovations in the field.
- To empower our future designers with understanding of the space in context of the users and activities, the potentials of utilization and application of new materials and technology, while understanding the importance of indigenous design and local sustainable practices.
- To explore the related areas and research in contemporary art, design, and architecture, to allow the student to absorb and think out of the box, creating unique solutions, utilising interdisciplinary methods when considering the form of interiors, surfaces, lighting and acoustics.
- To understand the importance of cultural heritage, adaptive reuse and revival of local practices and heritage in context of today’s world affected by climate change.
- To embody Semiotics as the central study of every specific space and symbolic value of everything (grand family of interior objects).
Entry Requirements
The admissions process is a combination of the University NTS test and the Departmental entry test. Candidates are required to have Intermediate or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks from an accredited institution.
- All applicants must appear in the entrance test (NTS).
- All applicants to appear in the Creative Aptitude Test & Interview conducted by the Department of Architecture.
- A list of selected applicants is prepared observing the following criteria:
- 30% weightage of General Merit (Matric/O-Levels 3% + Intermediate/A-Levels 12% + NTS 15% )
- 70% Creative Aptitude Test (Creative Writing 10% + Drawing/Making 25% +Portfolio 5% + Interview 30%)
Career Prospects
The Bachelor of Interior will allow the graduate to easily find a home within an architectural firm, a spatial design practice, or as an independent practitioner to help contribute to Pakistan’s ever expanding residential and commercial design industry. With the increase of built spaces, the role of the interior designer is even more relevant and in demand as ever – being the people who make living spaces hospitable, commercial districts enjoyable, and bring the luxury to the hospitality fields through their vision.
The interior designer, with their mastery over space, lighting, temperature, and mood can also easily find a home amongst artists – in the film and television industry, as a curator in a gallery, a manager of events, or utilising the skills as a manager in creative projects.