MASTER OF DESIGN (MDES) IN INTERIOR STUDIES: Exhibitions and Narrative Environments
2023-2024 | Curriculum | 2+ year program
In the 75-credit Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies: Exhibition and Narrative Environments program, students engage in a dynamic course of study focused on making interior interventions within the context of narrative environments—spaces that encompass or communicate a form of storytelling.
In providing a clear aesthetic, theoretical and technological framework for the study of exhibition design, the program properly equips graduating students to create narrative experiences within museum settings. Students may take exhibition-related coursework through electives in other departments, such as Graphic Design, Digital + Media and Theory and History of Art and Design, or through Brown University. They may also take advantage of resources and opportunities offered by the RISD Museum.
MDES PRELIMINARY YEAROn-Campus Summer Program [a] | ||||||||
Summer | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Intro to Design Studio I: Spatial Investigation/Drawing & Making | 3 | |||||||
Intro to Design Studio I: Existing Construct | 3 | |||||||
Intro to Design Studio I: Transformation and Intervention | 3 | |||||||
TOTAL | 9 | |||||||
MDES FIRST YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Intro to Design Studio II | 6 | Elective* | 3 | Advanced Design Studio | 6 | |||
Advanced Drawing and Computing Tectonics | 3 | Spatial Perception: Light & Color | 3 | |||||
Topics in Exhibition and Narrative Environments I | 3 | Topics in Exhibition and Narrative Environments II | 3 | |||||
Elective* | 3 | Elective* | 3 | |||||
TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 3 | TOTAL | 15 | |||
MDES SECOND YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Design Thesis Preparation | 3 | Elective* | 3 | Design Thesis Studio | 9 | |||
Advanced Design Studio | 6 | Codes and Details | 3 | |||||
Human Factors: Ergonomics, and Acoustics | 3 | Elective* | 3 | |||||
Elective* | 3 | |||||||
TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 3 | TOTAL | 15 | |||
Total Credits: 75 | ||||||||
*Suggested electives in related departments that include Theory & History of Art & Design, Graphic Design, Digital + Media, and the RISD Museum, to be discussed with one’s advisor.
Notes:
[a] Nine-credit on-campus summer program
Students entering the Department of Interior Architecture must participate in its required Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance.