Frequently Asked Questions

Interior Architecture and Environmental Design

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Interior Architecture?

Interior architecture is a professional field that aims to meet the needs of people by considering the spaces from functional, aesthetic and symbolic aspects. While meeting the necessary needs, it takes into account the psychological, economic, social and cultural values of the user group. With these values; It produces creative, technical, sustainable and functional interior solutions by combining art, science and business planning. While prioritising parameters such as safety, health and ergonomics, it ensures that conscious and correct decisions are made on style and aesthetics (IIDA-International Interior Design Association).

The spaces designed by interior designers with the use of elements such as material, colour, light, textile, texture, aim to strengthen the well-being in the spaces by taking into account the physical and mental state of the user. In line with these objectives; design and aesthetics, functionality, ergonomics and user experience, technical knowledge, cultural and artistic contexts constitute some of the basic features of interior architecture.

The International Federation of Interior Designers (IFI) defines professionals working in this field as people who identify the problems encountered in making interiors functional and qualified, and produce solutions using their creativity. Interior designers are experts who can make design analyses, perform construction site supervision, have structural knowledge about the space, and have knowledge about fittings, materials and equipment. They also contribute to design and planning processes with a multidisciplinary approach.

2. What does ‘Environmental Design’ in the name of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design mean?

‘Environmental Design’ in the name of “Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design” includes environmental factors as well as building elements and physical elements in interior spaces. It includes the consideration of environmental factors such as lighting, ventilation, acoustics, thermal comfort in interior design. The term ‘environment’ is a concept that many people think of only the physical environment, but it also includes the natural, social and cultural environments. From the perspective of interior architecture, the term ‘environment’ refers to the environment around human beings. This environment includes a combination of spiritual, social and cultural influences that affect human life and at the same time, it prioritises a human-oriented approach. From this point of view, one of the main objectives of our education programme is to increase the aesthetic and usage values of the environment where people live and to create a qualified environment in this context.

3. Is there a difference between Interior Architecture and Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Departments?

While ‘Interior Architecture’ programmes take students with numerical score (MF-4), ‘Interior Architecture and Environmental Design’ programmes take students with equal weight (TM-1) score. Students of both departments graduate with the title of ‘interior architect’ and there is no difference in authority and competence in the graduation status of the graduating students. In professional life, the fact that a person has graduated from the departments of ‘Interior Architecture’ or ‘Interior Architecture and Environmental Design’ does not create a significant difference in the level of basic skills and knowledge.

4. Is there a summer internship in the curriculum of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, and if so, what are its scopes?

Atılım University, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design has three compulsory summer internships, ICM 299 Internship I (Construction Site), ICM 399 Internship II (Workshop) and ICM 499 Internship III (Office), each consisting of 20 working days.

‘ICM 299 Construction Site Internship’ is carried out at the end of the second semester.  It is expected to include activities and life on the construction site; coordination and programming between the disciplines involved in the project, project implementation and detailing stages and occupational safety issues. It is important for the professional development of the student to observe the applications and details to be made in the process of interior architecture during the internship period. The internship student should have learnt various applications during the internship process. For example; application of partition walls, wall coverings, thin plaster and paint works, floor and ceiling applications, survey, quantity calculations, installation, stairs, doors and joinery applications.

‘ICM 399 Workshop Internship’ is carried out at the end of the fourth semester. It is essential to see production during the workshop internship process and it is aimed to provide students with information about the properties, usage areas and application techniques of different materials. Priority is given to workshops where various items such as exploration, order form preparation, product and material selection, panel and upholstered furniture production, production and selection of fittings and accessories, joint details, coatings, finishing materials, fitting details, painting, polishing and assembly techniques, assembly and installation stages can be seen together.

‘ICM 499 Office Internship’ is done at the end of the sixth semester. The student is able to do internship in Architecture / Interior Architecture Firms and / or Construction and Project companies. During the office internship, it is expected to follow processes such as communication with the customer, exploration, surveying, design process, project and detail drawings, preparation of technical reports and documents such as cost, progress payment, contract, tender file preparation, material and product selection, preparation of 3D visuals, presentations, application follow-up and supervision.

Construction site, workshop and office internships offer students the chance to put theoretical knowledge into practice and to understand the working conditions and expectations in the sector. These internships help students gain experience in a real design environment and help them shape their career journey after graduation.

5. What does the Common Education Practice (CO-OP) in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design mean?

The Joint Education Practice in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design is an education model that allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills gained at the university in a real business environment. This practice aims for students to establish direct contact with the sector and gain professional experience before graduation. In this context, the joint education practice has the following different meanings:

Transformation of Theoretical Knowledge into Practice:

  •  It enables the theoretical concepts such as design, technical drawing, material knowledge learnt in the courses to be used in real projects.
  •  It offers students the chance to participate in professional interior architecture and environmental design projects.

Gaining Professional Experience:

  • Students have the opportunity to develop their professional skills by working in the workplace.
  • Students learn processes such as real client demands, teamwork and project management.

Early Acquaintance with the Sector:

  • Students communicate with companies in the sector before graduation, which increases their employment opportunities after graduation.
  • Students learn about trends, materials and technologies in the interior architecture and environmental design sector.

Self-confidence and Application Skills:

  • The experience gained during the application increases students' self-confidence and enables them to adapt to business life more easily.
  • They learn to make design decisions quickly and effectively.

University and Sector Co-operation:

  • Joint education practices strengthen the co-operation between the university and the sector.
  • It contributes to updating the education curriculum in accordance with the needs of the sector.

6. Is drawing ability necessary to study interior architecture?

In the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design programme, drawing ability is an issue that candidates are concerned about. However, it is not a necessity to have drawing ability in this programme. Drawing is a means of expression in the discipline of interior architecture. It is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed. The content of the education programme provides students with the opportunity to develop their drawing skills. Courses and design studios provide students with practical knowledge in drawing.

The field of Interior Architecture utilises a range of tools to express design ideas and these tools are not just freehand drawing. The ability to freehand drawing alone is not enough, students are taught a variety of drawing techniques within the curriculum and are supported to develop their hand drawing skills through a variety of elective courses. Therefore, the ability to draw can be an advantage for candidates to express themselves, but it should be recognised as a skill that can be developed in order to succeed in the programme.

7. In which fields can I work after graduating from the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design?

Graduates can work as interior architects in the public sector, municipalities or ministries. They can work in architectural / interior design project offices, contractor construction companies in the fields of design and application. Graduates who do not want to be affiliated to an institution or organisation can open their own offices or workshops and provide design, application or consultancy services.

Graduates of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design can generally take part in the design of large-scale structures such as education, health, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, hotels, business centres, airports, as well as small-scale interiors such as housing, caravans, boats, mobile vehicles, fair stands. Interior designers can specialise in the design of fixed and movable furniture, lighting, acoustics, such as the evaluation of space performances. They can meet user needs by improving their skills in material selection and detail solutions.  

In addition to all these, professionals who pursue an academic career in the field of interior architecture can work as lecturers / members in universities. During their academic careers, they can bring new knowledge and perspectives to the sector by leading or contributing to research projects.

8. Who are the academic staff of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design?

Atılım University Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design aims to prepare students for professional life with its dynamic academic staff.  Sixteen full-time faculty members who are experts in their fields work in the department (https://www.atilim.edu.tr/en/ict/page/2110/academic-staff). All of them have completed their undergraduate and graduate education in Interior Architecture / Interior Architecture and Environmental Design and have many awards in national and international design competitions.

In addition, many part-time lecturers, known for their prestigious projects in the sector, support the courses. With the support of part-time lecturers who are involved in professional practice, theoretical knowledge is transformed into practice and students are offered the opportunity to learn professional practices. Full-time and part-time lecturers aim to provide students with not only theoretical but also industry-standardised skills.