Drafting is the construction of plans to scale that give interior designers a plan to follow when designing the interior of a room. Drafting classes teach students how to use drafting instruments such as CAD (computer-aided drafting) and how to draft by hand to create construction plans and layouts for rooms. Students learn how to use imperial and metric measuring systems and how to draft according to architectural standards.
Textiles classes focus on how to choose textiles when creating a layout. Classes teach students the history of textiles, the science behind the materials, the differences between natural and man-made fibers and coding requirements for textiles. Depending on the program, a class may provide the history of how certain textiles, such as wallpaper, were created as well as cover modern textile techniques, such as paint finishes and carpeting.
History classes focus on the history of architecture and interior design, including furniture, interiors and textiles. Most classes focus on the ancient world and continue through modern design techniques. Classes located in richly historical areas, such as Chicago, Boston or New York, may include field trips to locations that showcase historical American interior design. Students study different types of buildings, such as schools, museums and official public buildings.
Studio courses are designed to give interior design students the opportunity to practice what they learned in an architecture studio. Classes involve drawing models -- using freehand and computer-aided programs -- and creating three-dimensional models of these drawings. Studio course topics include residential design, lighting and drafting techniques. Many interior design programs require students to present their models to a panel of professors and graduate students.