Program Assessment Report
Assessment Reporting
Spring 2009 – Spring 2010
As you now know an interim report on the assessment of student learning is due to WASC in fall
of 2010. We have been asked to demonstrate that we are using assessment data to improve
student learning (i.e., “closing the assessment loop”) and that the assessment process is
sustainable. To that end, we are asking programs to report on their most complete student
learning outcome (SLO) during this reporting cycle. Please identify your selected SLO in the box
below and provide the requested information.
Program Information
Degree Program(s): BFA Interior Design
Department: Interior Design
Department Chair: Brian Kimura + Diana Seah
Report Prepared by: Brian Kimura
Phone: 408 386 8297
Phone:
Student Learning Outcome (SLO)
This is where you will type the actual student-learning outcome (SLO) on which
you have focused.
Evidence for Need:
What evidence was used to identify this SLO as a candidate for improvement (e.g., describe the prior
assessment activities, data, and discussions that led to this decision)?
The Bay Area is the leader in the high tech industry and innovative business; it is expected to develop
effective design solutions to meet need requirements. The interior design profession, over the past
several years, has become increasingly popular and is in the major stream of visual communication,
commercial advertisement, and World Wide Web environments. Based on popular demands from
various industries as well as the interior design profession, the interior design program has
implemented:
Changes to Curriculum or Pedagogy:
What actions were taken to improve student learning related to this outcome (e.g., program changes,
changes in pedagogy, process changes, resources requests, etc)?
Interior design is a major component of professional design in the modern era. Quality and strategies
of the design concept and the executed functional form are key factors to the success and
satisfaction of clients, consumers, and designers. Here, at the SJSU Interior Design Program, we
make special efforts in acknowledging the collaborative aspect of the design process, as well as
building strong relationships with related industries and professionals.
2a. Designated studio space for the BFA Interior Design majors:
Faculty members in the interior design program recognize the importance of collaboration in
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Program Assessment Report
design discipline, and after years of searching for a studio space for the 50+ BFA interior design
majors, in Fall 2010, we will moved to spaces in the IS building that accommodate and resemble
real-world professional design studio where students can learn and interact with each other on a
daily bases.
2b. Introduce design related professionals to the students:
A strong interior design curriculum embodies both theoretical and practical study, emphasizing
problem solving and critical thinking, form giving and design process, presentation and
technological knowledge, and professional values and interactive skills. In all of the Interior
Design Program courses, we invite representatives from national renown companies to discuss
current and future issues regarding sustainability as well as important trends in new products, we
invite guest interior and architectural designers from recognized bay area design firms to
participate in project critiques, we encouraged students to attended field trips to see notable
interior environments and architecturally designed structures. By actively participating in these
course-related events, students begin to comprehend the full scope and demands of the
profession.
Evidence for Impact:
What is the evidence that the actions taken above impacted student learning for this outcome?
With a worldwide demand for efficient and innovative space, inventive functional interior products
providing for human beings the tools to be physically and mentally healthy, and importantly,
productive in achieving their goals the need for the interior design profession is endless. Our society
needs qualified and responsible interior designers who are critical thinkers, technical experts, and
understanding people.
Over the last three decades, due to its location in Silicon Valley, the Program has gained from and
contributed to the development of the Bay Area as a major international center. Graduates play a
significant role in the Bay Area while competing for placement with national and international talent.
To address such demands, the Interior Design Program has established itself in the highest regard, to
continue reinvent the curriculum and monitor its students’ growth.
3a. End of semester evaluation:
At the end of each semester, faculty members from the Interior Design Program will join to
evaluate the project performance of each BFA Interior Design student in DSIT 103. The purpose
of the evaluation is: 1) to monitor the creative method, originality and innovation of the student;
and 2) to insure the program’s overall capabilities and potentials are maintained in its highest
standard. Furthermore, at the review, students are able to gather immediate and consolidated
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Program Assessment Report
feedbacks from the faculty about their performances as well as improvements that’s required of
them for further advancement in the Interior Design Program.
3b. Career preparation:
The BFA Interior Design Program curriculum provides the understanding behind design methods
and applications. Such preparation has empowered the capabilities of our students as qualified
job seekers. They have been taught the necessary knowledge to become professional interior
designers, or to enter graduate study in architectural design, product design, or urban planning.
All of which have been already achieved by many of our outstanding graduates.
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