Bloomington, Indiana – A century ago, the study of interior design at Indiana University Bloomington meant something entirely different from what it does today. What began as a program meant to prepare young women to manage homes and families has transformed into a discipline grounded in science, psychology, and technology — one that aims to improve lives through thoughtful, research-based design.
As the interior design program at IU Bloomington marks its 100th anniversary, faculty, students, and alumni are reflecting on a remarkable journey that mirrors social and cultural change. From its beginnings in the Department of Home Economics to its present-day home in the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, the program has evolved from training homemakers to producing innovators who shape how we live, work, and heal.
From Homemaking to Human-Centered Design
The story of IU’s interior design program begins in 1913, when the Department of Home Economics was founded. At the time, the field was considered a “science and art of homemaking.” Women were taught the skills needed to run efficient, stylish, and healthy homes — from cooking and sewing to managing a household budget.
By 1925, a new faculty member, Emma Baie, began teaching classes in house decoration, dressmaking, and textiles. Her addition marked the official start of what would later become IU’s interior design program.
Students didn’t just study theory — they lived it. The department’s Home Management House gave them hands-on experience in all aspects of domestic life. For an entire semester, students lived together in the practice house, managing every detail from cleaning and entertaining to cooking and even childcare.
In one of the most striking traditions, the department invited new parents — often IU faculty or staff — to lend their babies to the program for several weeks at a time. Students would care for the infant around the clock under the supervision of their professors. On weekends and holidays, the babies went home to their parents.
While that approach may sound outdated today, it represented a pioneering model of experiential learning. Students left IU equipped not only to manage homes but also to work professionally in hospitals, hotels, and retail spaces. Many became advisors, buyers, or consultants in commercial design — a sign that the program was already beginning to expand beyond the domestic sphere.
“We’re About People, Not Paint and Pillows”
The program’s transformation over the past century reflects changes in both education and society. Today’s students train for professional certification through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), which focuses on designing safe, inclusive, and sustainable environments for a wide range of people.
The emphasis is no longer on decoration but on human-centered design — understanding how spaces influence well-being, behavior, and social interaction.
“We’re about people, not paint and pillows,” said Kim Dutkosky, director of the interior design program in the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design. “We aim to be human-centric in our design, so we teach about human behavior and psychology and how these impact the design of the built environment.”
Modern interior design students learn advanced technical and ethical principles. They study building codes, accessibility standards, sustainability practices, and digital tools that allow them to model spaces in 3D before construction ever begins. But at the heart of the discipline remains a deep moral responsibility: to create environments that enhance life, foster inclusivity, and promote physical and emotional health.
Designing for Healing and Hope
One of the program’s most accomplished alumni, Jamie Raymond, embodies this modern evolution. Raymond first earned a degree in marketing from IU in 1994. But she soon realized her true calling was in design — not the kind her father imagined.
When she told him about her plans to return to school for interior design, he was skeptical. He asked why she would go back to study something he thought was about “decorating.” But Raymond was determined.
She graduated with a degree in interior design in 1999, calling it one of the best decisions of her life. After working in an Indianapolis architecture firm, Raymond co-founded Four Point Design in 2015 with business partner Diana Ricks. Together, they have built a reputation for designing functional yet beautiful spaces that serve hospitals, wellness centers, and universities.
Their work includes the interiors of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, the IU Bloomington Health Sciences Building, and the Parkview Cancer Institute in Fort Wayne. More recently, their designs appeared at Riley Children’s Health Emergency Medicine at IU Health Fishers, the region’s first pediatric emergency center.
“In the healthcare sector, people think that it’s going to be really institutional and sterile,” Raymond said. “I tell them to look around at healthcare spaces today. They’re beautiful spaces for people to heal.”
Her words capture the heart of contemporary interior design — the idea that space is more than structure; it is a tool for healing, comfort, and human connection.
Blending Technology and Design
While designers like Raymond bring warmth and empathy to built environments, new generations at IU are pushing the boundaries of design research through cutting-edge technology.
Hoa Vo, an assistant professor in the interior design program and recipient of the 2025 IU Presidential Arts and Humanities Fellowship, is leading groundbreaking research that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR).
Her work focuses on how people interact with architectural spaces before those spaces are even built. Using VR, she creates realistic digital models that participants can explore. An AI system she developed tracks their movements, noting where they walk, pause, or avoid altogether. The data provides valuable insight into how people perceive and use space.
“This gives designers a ton of information about how people experience the environment before building it,” Vo said. “It’s not only about technology; it’s about understanding humans better, how we can reduce resources and help create optimal designs for the environment.”
Vo hopes her research will one day help architects and urban planners reduce errors, lower construction costs, and design spaces that are both efficient and emotionally resonant. She also wants to show that technology is not a replacement for creativity — it’s a collaborator.
Her work represents the future of interior design: a blend of human empathy and data-driven insight.
A Century of Change and a Future of Possibility
As Indiana University Bloomington’s interior design program celebrates 100 years, it stands as both a tribute to its history and a promise for what’s ahead. The evolution from homemaking classes to AI-enhanced design research reflects a broader cultural shift — one that values inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability.
What once began in a Home Management House with borrowed babies has grown into a program shaping hospitals, classrooms, and cities. It has turned from teaching women how to manage homes to empowering students of all backgrounds to design environments that make life better for everyone.
The celebration of a century of design at IU Bloomington is not just about looking back; it’s about recognizing the continued importance of design as a force for good — one that connects technology, psychology, and human emotion in the service of better living.
A hundred years later, the mission remains clear: design with purpose, design for people, and always remember that good design, at its heart, is about creating spaces that allow humanity to thrive.
