Interior Architecture and Design Portfolio Review

"The portfolio is a creative act, showing your skills and imagination, but it is also an act of communication and a tool for self-promotion. Demonstrate originality and inventiveness, but also accept the restrictions and conventions of professionalism, and show that you can get your ideas across in terms that working architects and designers can understand."

Harold Linton

After completion of the pre-interior design curriculum (usually at the end of a student’s secon year), each student is invited to apply to become a major within the interior architecture and design program and gain acceptance into the upper division of the design curriculum. Becoming an interior architecture and design major also means making a commitment to excellence, professionalism, responsibility, creativity, community and the pursuit of agency.

The upper division of the interior architecture and design program curriculum includes challenging coursework and advanced studios. The final two semesters of the program include a nine-month comprehensive capstone studio project with a high level of applied, evidence-based research progressed through intensive design research and the development of specialty expertise and knowledge.

In May, RID+I holds Portfolio Review Day, a coming together of diverse professionals, backgrounds and experiences to discuss and review student portfolios. The first-floor lounge space turns into an active day of networking, career exploration, and one-on-one talks with practicing designers. This event is open to all RID+I students and alumni. Please follow RID+I’s social media pages for updates on this year’s Portfolio Review Day, including guest reviewers and the sign-up form.

Second-year interior architecture and design portfolio reviews with faculty occur in tandem with the RID+I Portfolio Review Day. Please review the below important dates, eligibility, and application requirements for consideration when applying.

2024 dates and deadlines

Eligibility for second-year portfolio review

Inability to meet the minimum standard eligibility requirements will prohibit you from participating in the second-year portfolio review and moving on to the upper division of the interior architecture and design courses.

1. Successful completion of pre-interior design curriculum, including any pre-approved transfer credits from other institution(s). See the full list of pre-interior design courses below.

2. Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA status in interior design courses, including Spring 2024 semester courses.

3. Minimum of 2.5 cumulative University GPA, including Spring 2024 semester courses.

4. Comprehensive interior design portfolio (submitted PDF documentation). See required portfolio contents below.

Application requirements checklist

Application requirements must be submitted via the online Portfolio Review Portal by May 9 at 11:59 pm EST and include:

• Completed application form
• Comprehensive portfolio

Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB and a maximum of 20 pages.

• Your portfolio should represent your best work and individual excellence as a designer. Any non-digital work (drafting, model, renderings, sketches) should be scanned (or photographed if model) and edited appropriately for inclusion in your portfolio.

• In addition to showcasing your design skills and competencies, the design of your portfolio itself should echo your identity and graphic sensibilities, so please consider the portfolio a design showcase on its own. Please include the below points in your portfolio:
• COVER PAGE: Include your first and last name, ‘Spring 2024,’ and ‘2^nd Year Portfolio Review.’
• TITLE PAGE: Include your personal design statement and/or manifesto. This statement should capture your unique design identity, beliefs, and any foundational principles behind your design work. This statement represents you as an agent of design.
• RESUME: Please include a comprehensive, professional design resume:
  • Professional and/or job experiences
  • Community involvement
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Affiliations
  • Review of skills and proficiencies
  • Awards, fellowships, scholarships, or other achievements (if applicable)
  • Certifications or credentials (if applicable)
• Curated selection of your design work that demonstrates competencies in the evaluation areas provided on the Portfolio Review Evaluation Rubric.

Day-of logistics

By May 14 you will receive notification if your application has been selected for second-year review during the RID+I Portfolio Review Day. Each review will be 20 minutes in length and take place in person. The review location will include a conference table where you can showcase your printed portfolio to faculty reviewers.

There will be a variety of interior architecture and design faculty present throughout the reviews, including previous professors who can speak to your professionalism, growth, development, design curiosity, work ethic, and classroom conduct, in addition to third and fourth-year professors who will provide objective evaluation based on your application materials, discussion with you during the review, and your potential to succeed in the upper-level courses.

The faculty review team will have fully reviewed your digital portfolio submission and application materials ahead of time in preparation to have a meaningful discussion with you.

Registration for third-year courses

By May 30 you will receive a decision letter via email. If accepted, you will notice a change from ‘Pre-Interior Design Major’ to ‘Interior Architecture and Design Major’ in your DegreeWorks, which will allow you to self-register for third-year courses.

Application process

Please make sure to submit your portfolio with the required content by the deadline. The submission portal will not accept applications after the deadline. Once you have submitted your portfolio, you do not need to take further action until you are contacted to schedule your review time. If you have questions regarding portfolio submission or review, please email Kim Buchholz.