Visit Design and Merchandising

Academic Tours and Information Sessions

Prospective students interested in learning more about the Apparel and Merchandising or Interior Architecture and Design majors at CSU are invited to join the Department of Design and Merchandising for an information session and tour of the Nancy Richardson Design Center and Gifford Building. These sessions are offered most Fridays. Please register for a tour using the link below.

If you would like more information about CSU, visit the Admissions Tours and Information Sessions page to learn more about visiting campus and other options for your visit, like a CSU Campus Tour. Note: CSU Campus Tours do NOT include our buildings.

If you are unable to attend one of our visit dates, feel free to stop by and explore these incredible learning spaces on your own!
Day	Date	Time	Room	How to Register
Friday	April 24	2:30-4 p.m.	210 RDC	Register for the April 24 Tour
Friday	May 1	2:30-4 p.m.	210 RDC	Register for the May 1 Tour
Friday	June 12	2:30-4 p.m.	210 RDC	Register for the June 12 Tour
Friday	July 24	2:30-4 p.m.	210 RDC	Register for the July 24 Tour

Apparel and Merchandising Spaces

Discover the spaces commonly used by our Apparel and Merchandising students! Students in this major typically spend their time between the Nancy Richardson Design Center and the Gifford Building, which are adjacent to each other.

Design and Product Development Studios

There are two apparel construction studios available for use for Apparel and Merchandising students. These workspaces include large work tables, pressing/steaming equipment, sergers, industrial sewing machines, and dress forms for draping.

Location: The Gifford Building, third floor, on the south side of the building in Rooms 334 and 301.

a student writes on a large piece of paper as she drafts a pattern with dress forms and other students working in the background

Textile Science Library and Laboratory

The textile science library is attached to our innovative textile science laboratory classroom. It showcases textiles and fabrics from the historical to high-tech. This includes innovative fabrics with leading technology for the outdoor industry. The textile science laboratory is an innovative learning space, designed by Interior Architecture and Design students, that allows for textile testing, learning, and experimentation.

Location: The Gifford Building, third floor, on the south side of the building just outside the staircase from the Lake St. entrance.

The textile sciences laboratory in the department of design and merchandising filled with students and faculty.

Gifford Computer Lab

The Gifford Computer Lab includes a teaching classroom as well as an open workspace. A monitor is available to help students with technological needs. Apparel and Merchandising students thrive at the dynamic intersection of fashion and technology. They develop key skills in computer-aided design (CAD), 3-D Body Scanning and Visualization, 3-D Fit Testing, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Rapid Prototyping Technologies (3-D Printing, Laser Cutting, etc.), and Industry-Standard Software: MS Excel and Adobe Creative Suite.

Location: Gifford Building, third floor, in the center of the building, Room 317 (workspace) and Room 329 (classroom).

A computer lab room filled with many long tables filled with computers

Gustafson Gallery

The Gustafson Gallery is a design exhibition space for creative student, faculty, and visiting artist work. It often showcases the work of the digital textile design course, students from Fashion Group International, or design-focused projects from graduate students in Apparel and Merchandising. The Gustafson Gallery is currently closed due to construction in the Gifford Building. Stay tuned for reopen dates.

Location: The Gifford Building, third floor, north side of the building in Room 318.

A student stands in front of his work on display in the gustafson gallery.

Interior Architecture and Design Spaces

On your visit, take some time to visit some of the spaces that are most frequently used by the students studying Interior Architecture and Design.

Design Library

The Design Library is supported by the Department of Design and Merchandising and run by student librarians in the 3rd and 4th years of the IAD program. It is open to students across programs and is a place to connect creative inspiration with innovative interior materials and products.

Location: The second floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, on the north side of the building in Room 215.

three students and a professor look at materials in the Design Library

D Lab

The D Lab is a transformable classroom and studio space used for lectures, studio work, student groups, and events. The space includes movable tables and chairs, wall space for pin-ups and critiques, moveable digital screens, and a transformable seating area.

Location: The second floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, at the center of the building in Room 212.

rows of students sit and listen in the DLab, or development lab.

2nd Floor Hallway

The second floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center showcases the capstone projects of the IAD program’s most recent graduates. Their posters showcase the culmination of their four years in the program, and much research. On pedestals throughout the hallway, you will see current work on display including material boxes, 3D models, or lighting structures!

Location: The second floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, the large open space at the top of the elevator/stairs that looks down into the first-floor space.

two older adults point out items on a poster to a younger student

RDC Computer Lab

The RDC computer lab includes both an open workspace and a classroom. The lab provides IAD students with access to Building Information Modeling (BIM) such as Autodesk Revit, Digital Rendering and Production Software with the Adobe Creative Suite, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Life-cycle analysis (LCA) software for sustainability assessments, lighting calculation software, and groupware and collaborative platforms for ideation and team communication.

Location: The first floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, in the south wing, on the east side of the building.

A large room filled with tables and many computers.

Nancy Richardson Design Center Labs

Many faculty members in the Department of Design in Merchandising have offices in the Nancy Richardson Design Center and students will take classes in this space. To see all the Nancy Richardson Design Center has to offer, including the Design Thinking Certificate, visit the RDC website.

Prototype Lab

The prototype lab is available for use by students in the Department of Design and Merchandising. It includes laser cutting machines, 3D printers, embroidery/quilting/sewing/seam welding machines, screen printing, and so much more.

Located at: The first floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, in the north wing of the building, northwest corner of the building.

2 students work together at a 3D printer with a yellow 3D printed item in the foreground

Wood Lab

The Wood Lab is available for use by students in the Design and Merchandising Department. The lab includes a lathe, custom woodworking tools, and a sandblaster.

Location: The first floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, in the north wing of the building, northernmost end of the hallway.

A student manages a large wood saw on a cutting table

Metal Lab

The metal lab is available to students in the Design and Merchandising Department. It offers all the tools you need to assist in metal fabrication including welding tools and the ability to freehand plasma cut shapes.

Location: The first floor of the Nancy Richardson Design Center, in the north wing of the building, northernmost hallway.

a student works in the metal lab with flying sparks

More to Explore! Design and Merchandising Galleries, Libraries, and Laboratories!

Study Tour Abroad Opportunity for Incoming First-Year Students

This CSU faculty and staff-led program introduces incoming first-year students in apparel and merchandising or pre-interior architecture and design majors to classmates and professional faculty and staff through meaningful domestic and international experiences. This First Year Seminar explores the foundations of design, merchandising, and interior architecture to help students shape their awareness within the disciplines and their CSU major. This seminar will build a skill base of successful academic strategies and investigates cross-cultural experiences in a small engaging learning environment abroad. Prior to the start of the fall term, participants will live and learn in Italy with a cohort of first-year design and merchandising majors. Students will meet on-campus during Pre-Departure Orientation and fly to Italy together. Upon returning home students will meet for class to follow up on this amazing experience.

Learn more!