MDES.INTST.NE.2YR - MDES in Interior Studies Exhibition & Narrative Environments (2yr)
Download as PDF
2025 - 2026 | 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.
Learning outcomes
Graduates of the MDes Exhibition and Narrative Environments program are prepared to:
engage and formulate a clear aesthetic, theoretical and technological framework for the design of exhibitions and narrative environments and become an active contributor to this emergent multidisciplinary design field.
investigate different aspects of designing, fabricating, installing and curating exhibitions and narrative environments, understanding and responding to the curatorial content, subject matter and physical context.
articulate the expertises of various professionals in related fields involved in the shaping of exhibitions and narrative environments in an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary context.
develop design strategies that recognize the impact of cultural and social issues in shaping the experience of a narrative environment in the context of museums, exhibitions and public spaces at large.
assess design methods for translating content and context into spatial experiences inherent to an exhibit or narrative environment.
formulate an original design concept based on research and evaluate, develop, present and advocate coherent design propositions.
Preliminary year | ||||||
SUMMER | ||||||
INTAR 2322 - Intro to Design Studio I: Spatial Investigation/Drawing & Making | 3 | |||||
INTAR 2324 - Intro to Design Studio I: Existing Construct | 3 | |||||
INTAR 2326 - Intro to Design Studio I: Transformation and Intervention | 3 | |||||
total credits | 9 | |||||
First year | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
INTAR 2380 - Intro to Design Studio II | 6 | elective | 3 | INTAR 23ST - Advanced Design Studio | 6 | |
INTAR 2377 - Advanced Drawing and Computing Tectonics | 3 | INTAR 2353 - Spatial Perception: Light & Color | 3 | |||
INTAR 2102 - Topics in Exhibition and Narrative Environments I | 3 | INTAR 2104 - Topics in Exhibition and Narrative Environments II | 3 | |||
INTAR 2101 - History & Theory in Exhibition and Narrative Environments | 3 | elective | 3 | |||
total credits | 15 | total credits | 3 | total credits | 15 | |
Second year | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
INTAR 2397 - Design Thesis Preparation | 3 | elective | 3 | INTAR 2398 - Design Thesis Studio | 9 | |
INTAR 23ST - Advanced Design Studio | 6 | INTAR 2382 - Codes and Details | 3 | |||
INTAR 2381 - Human Factors: Ergonomics, and Acoustics | 3 | elective | 3 | |||
elective | 3 | |||||
total credits | 15 | total credits | 3 | total credits | 15 | |
Total Program Credits: 75
notes:
Students in this program take nine (9) credits in the on-campus summer program.
Suggested electives in related departments that include Theory and History of Art and Design, Graphic Design, Digital + Media, and the RISD Museum, to be discussed with one’s advisor.
Students entering the Department of Interior Architecture must participate in its required Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance.