RU Interior Design & Fashion named one of the best programs in the South

Logo of DesignIntelligence award

Radford University was named one of the Top Interior Design Schools in the South for 2014 in the latest edition of America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools, published by DesignIntelligence.

According to the ranking, RU's Department of Interior Design & Fashion (ID&F) provides one of the region's finest undergraduate educations in interior design.

“I am of course thrilled, but not surprised to hear about DesignIntelligence's recognition of the quality of our interior design program," said Joe Scartelli, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which houses ID&F. "For years, I have been observing the faculty, led by Holly Cline, methodically hone the curriculum and provide the experiential learning that best prepares students for the contemporary expectations and demands of the profession.”

Earlier in 2013, DesignIntelligence, published by the Design Futures Council, asked firm leaders, deans and students to offer their perspectives on which programs best prepare the next generation of design talent. More than 1,300 firms and corporate leaders in all design disciplines responded with their picks for the country's best programs.

Programs were ranked on overall quality as well as their ability to impart critical skills like analysis and planning, communication, cross-disciplinary teamwork and sustainable design.

Staying at the top of the rankings is a challenge, according to Holly Cline, department chair.  Cline points to the strong, supportive relationships found between the ID&F’s students and educators as the secret to Radford's success.

“We’re very hands on,” said Cline. “The faculty is always here—there aren’t graduate students teaching our classes; it’s all housed within our department—and it’s a very close-knit group.”

ID&F has previously appeared as one of DesignIntelligence top 10 programs in the country.

Logo of Affordable Colleges Online

In addition to the stellar undergraduate experience, the ID&F Master of Fine Arts in Design Thinking has been named one of best affordable online degree programs in Virginia by Affordable Colleges Online.

The MFA in Design Thinking provides students with in-depth experiences in using the design process to solve complex problems. While enrolled in this graduate program, students participate in interdisciplinary teams using creative and multifaceted design methodologies to address international issues.

For more information about the award-winning design programs at Radford University, visit the Interior Design & Fashion website.

Nov 14, 2013