
Create the future of design
The Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation is the epicenter of interdisciplinary design education at Western Michigan University. Home both to interior design and product design, curricular and co-curricular experiences prepare the next generation of design innovators for fulfilling careers.
Shape how humans interact with environments, and collaborate with international corporations in the industry to develop creative solutions for real-world problems. Our mentorship programs, internship field experiences, and student organization work together to help open a wide network of collaborators not only for your time here but also for the long careers ahead of you once you graduate. Travel abroad to see not only the roots of design thinking but also the global impact of design. Whether a professor excites you about learning while partnering on an industry-sponsored project or you are invited to work on a long-term design project, RIDI is focused on helping you create the future of design.
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4 years of hands-on, professionally-focused design education
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Access to more than 2000 creatives via Southwest Michigan First MIX
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$80k+ in scholarships awarded annually
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Over 40k square feet of dedicated workspace

I think WMU definitely has prepared me and given me the structure and discipline to be able to face such a demanding industry.
Grace Stibich
Design programs

Interior Design
Interior design is a multifaceted field involving creative and technical solutions used to improve the appearance and function of a structure. Students develop environments that support life, living and work in a positive way that not only contributes to a desired look, but also enhances performance and productivity.

Product design
Product design turns ideas into reality. Designers use the design process to create products, devices, objects, and services that meet needs and solve problems. Our students focus their work in a variety of fields including product development, manufacturing, color and materials, software, and systems.
Accreditation
The RIDI curriculum holds accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design which seeks to maintain art and design education at the highest levels.
The interior design program at WMU leading to a Bachelor of Science is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Science granted by WMU 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.
Where you will learn
Careers in design
Interior design careers
A career in interior design is filled with creative challenges and constant learning opportunities. It involves a commitment to developing environments that support life, living and work in a positive way that not only contributes to the desired image, but also enhances performance and productivity.
Opportunities include:
- Residential designers
- Commercial designers
- Employment with architectural and design firms
- Interior/facilities management
- Retailing home furnishings
- Marketing
- Showroom management
Product design careers
According to the Industrial Designers Society of America, industrial design strives to elevate both the function and aesthetics of all things made, from automobiles and medical instruments to household appliances and office furniture.
Opportunities include:
- Product designer
- CAD technician
- Color, material, finish designer
- Exhibition designer
- Furniture designer
- Spatial designer