Assignment Format

Introduction

Include the following:

A broad overview of the assignment and why students are being asked to do it.
List what students will need to turn in and any other required activities (mention if there will be related class discussions, for example).

Instructions

This section includes the steps students should be taking to accomplish the assignment. This can be linear steps, or a list of descriptions for the different things students will need to turn in. Depending on the level of the students you're teaching, you can add more or less detail to the steps.

Example Submissions

If the assignment you are working on is particularly complex, consider adding links to previously submitted work (with the owner's permission), along with any notes you might have that call out what was particularly excellent or what could be improved.

Grading Criteria

List all of the criteria by which the students will be graded. This can be a list of criteria here, or it can be a rubric. Consider including point values so that students know where they should focus their efforts.

Example submissions - if the assignment is particularly complex, consider including links to example submissions with feedback so that students can get a clearer idea of what you're looking for (and not looking for).

Example Assignment

Introduction

For this project, you will find a "client" and design a house around their requirements and preferences. We've discussed zoning laws, building codes, and the ADA a lot this term, and you'll want to keep these in mind as you do this project. A lot of times, a big part of the designer's time is figuring out how to implement client preferences in a way that meets code and is practical for everyday living, and this will be good practice for you.

Your final submission for this project can be either hand drafted or digital, but should include a description of what your "client" wants you to include in the project; a floorplan or floorplans of the entire space, including lighting and electrical plans; at least 3 illustrations showing details of the interior space - these can be done by hand or digitally; and a list of justifications for different design decisions you made.

Instructions

For this assignment, you will want to start by finding a "client" to work with. This can be a friend, family member, or classmate from outside of your major (in other words, not someone who is familiar with interior design). You will work with this "client" throughout the project, and you will need to get their approval on the final design. Your process will probably look roughly like this:

Meet with the "client" and determine what type of space they want to design (eg residential or commercial), how big they want it to be, its purpose, the location, and any features they want to include. Use this to create the description you'll turn in later.
Draft a floorplan of the space. This doesn't have to be highly detailed, but you should take into account the "client's" preferences as well as any zoning, code, or ADA regulations that apply. You may also want to roughly sketch out details of the floor plan, but don't worry too much about detail at this stage.
Meet with the "client" again to get their feedback on the floorplan (showing them interior detail sketches may help).
Make adjustments to the floorplan as needed.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the "client" approves the floor plan.
Get a letter of approval from the client. This can be as brief as "I have seen the final draft of this floor plan and it meets my requirements. [signed and dated]"
Make a list of all of the materials you plan to use in the build. This includes brands, names, and swatches for flooring, cabinetry, countertops, paints, appliances, lighting, sinks/faucets, toilets, tubs, and anything else.
Make your list of justifications for the design choices you settled on. This doesn't have to be an exhaustive list, but it should be fairly in depth. In particular, focus on choices that required negotiation with the "client." This is a chance for you to reflect on the decisions you made as a designer and how they impacted the final design.
Create your final detail sketches.

Grading Criteria

Description (10pts) - a description of the type of space and features your "client" is looking for. This should be as detailed as you can make it, including the proposed location for the construction, its purpose, approximate size, and any special features the "client" wants included.
Floorplan (40pts) - drafted either by hand or digitally, this floor plan should be to scale and include as much detail as possible. This includes the locations of permanent fixtures such as cabinetry, windows, doors, sinks, tubs, and toilets. It should also include a lighting and electrical plan. You should also include a list of brands, names, and swatches/images of any materials and fixtures you're planning to use (flooring, cabinetry, countertops, paints, appliances, lighting, sinks/faucets, toilets, tubs, etc). Be sure that your designs are up to code for the region you are building in and that they adhere to ADA recommendations.
3 Interior Detail Illustrations (30pts) - these should be illustrations that show unique features of the space you designed. They should be to scale and provide viewers with an idea of what it would be like to exist in the space. Be sure to include as much detail as you can to materials, textures, and lighting.
Justifications (20pts) - Explain why you made the design choices you did. In particular, focus on areas where you may have had to negotiate with your "client" to reach a compromise between their vision and any regional codes or ADA guidelines.