faculty
Jill Janasiewicz
Assistant Teaching Professor
Design
Contact
508-910-6863
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College of Visual & Performing Arts 352A
Education
| New England School of Art & Design | MA in Interior Design |
| Northeastern University | MBA |
| Bentley University | BS in Finance |
Teaching
Courses
Introduction to the basics of construction and methods of detailing. Students learn how to create drawing types, i.e. floor plans, elevations, sections, implementing precision drawing using architectural drafting equipment and tools. Students learn the basics of AutoCAD, and Revit. Students learn accepted architectural drawing symbols, terminology, and drafting methods to produce and plot a set of construction documents.
Study of sustainable building concepts, green architecture strategies, and systems development. Students learn hierarchy as it relates to spatial allocation, corporate structure, corporate image, basic commercial office codes, and commercial office furnishing/equipment. A comprehensive studio project will encompass site and environmental planning, material and system selection, and integration of technology to create spaces that are functional, aesthetically interesting, and environmentally sound.
Focus on evolving technology of building, properties of construction materials, their comparative strength and durability, their potentialities and limits in structural support, and the use of sustainable materials and systems. Static equilibrium, building loads, construction methods, fastening and terminology are explained, emphasizing interior alterations. There is an overview of the International Building Code, zoning, and a review of the ADA.
Focus on the functional and aesthetic requirements of the restaurant/food service and hospitality industry. This course presents the abstract, creative, and philosophical approach to moderate and large-scale design. Students are expected to have creative, competent design solutions while considering budgetary issues and the psychological/emotional responses of users as well as human factors of the physical space.
Preparing students for entry into the interior design profession. This course focuses on career planning, ethical and legal issues, and business documentation skills. Presentation and interview skills are emphasized. This course includes preparation for the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) exam and focuses on current trends in the practice.
A continuation of IAD 440 Pre-Thesis: Programmatic Research demonstrating aptitude for the Interior Architecture + Design profession. Thesis topics represent student's individuality and acquired written, verbal and visual communication skills. Students work with internal and an external advisor with expertise in the students¿ focus area of design. The course requires weekly critiques and a final presentation to a selected review committee.
A continuation of IAD 440 Pre-Thesis: Programmatic Research demonstrating aptitude for the Interior Architecture + Design profession. Thesis topics represent student's individuality and acquired written, verbal and visual communication skills. Students work with internal and an external advisor with expertise in the students¿ focus area of design. The course requires weekly critiques and a final presentation to a selected review committee.
A continuation of IAD 440 Pre-Thesis: Programmatic Research demonstrating aptitude for the Interior Architecture + Design profession. Thesis topics represent student's individuality and acquired written, verbal and visual communication skills. Students work with internal and an external advisor with expertise in the students¿ focus area of design. The course requires weekly critiques and a final presentation to a selected review committee.
A continuation of IAD 440 Pre-Thesis: Programmatic Research demonstrating aptitude for the Interior Architecture + Design profession. Thesis topics represent student's individuality and acquired written, verbal and visual communication skills. Students work with internal and an external advisor with expertise in the students¿ focus area of design. The course requires weekly critiques and a final presentation to a selected review committee.
A continuation of IAD 440 Pre-Thesis: Programmatic Research demonstrating aptitude for the Interior Architecture + Design profession. Thesis topics represent student's individuality and acquired written, verbal and visual communication skills. Students work with internal and an external advisor with expertise in the students¿ focus area of design. The course requires weekly critiques and a final presentation to a selected review committee.
Jill Janasiewicz is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Interior Architecture + Design program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where she has taught since 2018. Her teaching approach guides students in exploring the intersection of design, sustainability, and technology. She creates a collaborative and inclusive learning environment where students can develop their creative and problem-solving skills, preparing them for success for their next chapter beyond the university walls.
Her areas of interest include commercial and hospitality design, space planning, building codes, and health and wellness, with a focus on professional practice bridging her two worlds of design and finance. She brings real-world design challenges into the classroom, forming small peer groups mirroring design firm interactions and encouraging students to develop solutions that are functional, creative, and intentional.
Her service to the profession includes her involvement in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Her positions on the chapter level culminated in her role as the Chapter President. Currently, she serves on the national level as a member of the Business Management Committee. She also serves as the faculty advisor to the ASID Student Chapter here on campus. With CIDA, she is a site visitor for programs during their accreditation periods.
Mentioned in
- Apr 29, 2026 IAD student named to the 2026 Metropolis Future 100