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Tilanka Chandrasekera

Professor

Design & Merchandising

Orcid identifier0000-0001-7019-6537 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Professor
    Design & Merchandising
  • 913-219-3233 (Work)
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TEACHING SUMMARY

Dr. Tilanka Chandrasekera is an award-winning educator dedicated to advancing design pedagogy through innovation, technology integration, and student-centered learning. He has been nationally recognized with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Educator of the Year Award and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) Award for Excellence in Teaching, affirming his leadership in shaping the future of design education.

 

At Oklahoma State University, Dr. Chandrasekera teaches across undergraduate and graduate levels in interior and digital design, with a focus on immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He spearheaded the creation of the Digital Design Graduate Program, the first of its kind at OSU, providing advanced training that bridges design theory, cutting-edge tools, and industry applications. This program reflects his commitment to preparing students for leadership in both academia and professional practice.

 

He has also developed transformative teaching initiatives including the Near Peer Mentor Program, HyFlex design studios, and the annual Designathon, which cultivate mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership. His teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential, project-based learning that is culturally relevant and industry-connected, equipping students with the creativity, technical fluency, and critical thinking needed to excel in a rapidly evolving profession.

TEACHING

  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Application of Virtual and Augmented Reality
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    This course focuses on using and applying virtual reality, augmented reality technology and 3D printing through a multidisciplinary approach to solve pressing social problems by blending social science practices with innovative technology. Previously offered as DHM 5073.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Professional Internship
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    A supervised internship experience that simulates the responsibilities and duties of a practicing professional in a work situation related to design in merchandising. Previously offered as DHM 4820 and DHM 4824.Prerequisite(s): ADP option: DM 3023 and DM 3123. ID option: DM 3453 and DM 4373. Merch option: DM 3553 and DM 3853. All options: DHM or DM majors only, 2.5 major GPA and DM 3991.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Interior Design
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Advanced computer-aided design and visualization for three-dimensional interior systems. Previously offered as DHM 4373.Prerequisite(s): DM 2073, with a minimum grade of 'C'.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Advanced Digital Design Communication
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Evidence-based design/research informed design through 2D and 3D visualization and presentation. Students will apply 3D and 2D visualization and simulations skills to real world situations through a scientific approach. Previously offered as DHM 5173.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Digital Design Communication
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Introduction of digital media tools for 2D and 3D design visualization and presentation. Underlying concepts and techniques of computer applications for design communication. Previously offered as DHM 3173.Prerequisite(s): DM 2073 with a minimum grade of 'C'.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Master's Thesis
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Research related directly to design and merchandising for the master's thesis. Previously offered as CTM 5000 and DHM 5000.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of major professor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Problems in Design and Merchandising
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Individual and group investigations and discussions of special problems in the various phases of design and merchandising. Previously offered as CTM 5810 and DHM 5810.Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor or department head.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Master's Thesis
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Research related directly to design and merchandising for the master's thesis. Previously offered as CTM 5000 and DHM 5000.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of major professor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    9 Jun 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    9 Jun 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Master's Thesis
    9 Jun 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    Research related directly to design and merchandising for the master's thesis. Previously offered as CTM 5000 and DHM 5000.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of major professor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Professional Internship
    9 Jun 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    A supervised internship experience that simulates the responsibilities and duties of a practicing professional in a work situation related to design in merchandising. Previously offered as DHM 4820 and DHM 4824.Prerequisite(s): ADP option: DM 3023 and DM 3123. ID option: DM 3453 and DM 4373. Merch option: DM 3553 and DM 3853. All options: DHM or DM majors only, 2.5 major GPA and DM 3991.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Design and Merchandising
    9 Jun 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    Technologies such as VR and AR and 3D printing, developed through a design and merchandising emphasis. No coding or design background is required. Previously offered as DHM 5073.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Interior Design
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Advanced computer-aided design and visualization for three-dimensional interior systems. Previously offered as DHM 4373.Prerequisite(s): DM 2073, with a minimum grade of 'C'.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Advanced Digital Design Communication
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Evidence-based design/research informed design through 2D and 3D visualization and presentation. Students will apply 3D and 2D visualization and simulations skills to real world situations through a scientific approach. Previously offered as DHM 5173.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Digital Design Communication
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Introduction of digital media tools for 2D and 3D design visualization and presentation. Underlying concepts and techniques of computer applications for design communication. Previously offered as DHM 3173.Prerequisite(s): DM 2073 with a minimum grade of 'C'.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Doctoral Dissertation
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Research in design and merchandising for the PhD degree. Previously offered as DHM 6000 and CTM 6000.Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 30 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a master's research thesis or thesis equivalency and consent of major instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Master's Thesis
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Research related directly to design and merchandising for the master's thesis. Previously offered as CTM 5000 and DHM 5000.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of major professor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Pre-Internship Seminar
    13 Jan 2025 - 7 Mar 2025
    Preparation for obtaining a directed practical experience in a work setting related to design or merchandising. Previously offered as CTM 3991 and DHM 3991.Prerequisite(s): ADT/ADP option: DM 1003 or DM 2003 or DM 2573 and DM 3123. FMER/MERC option: DM 1003 and DM 2003 and DM 2573 and DM 3433. ID option: DM 2073 and DM 3343 and DM 3823. All options: DHM or DM majors only. EDHS 1112 or EDHS 3112 and 2.5 major GPA.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Topics in Building Information Modeling
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    An introduction to Revit Architecture and discussion of advanced topics on Building Information Modelling. Previously offered as DHM 5373.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Interior Design Studio I: Residential
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Studio course utilizing the design process in the analysis and planning of residential environments using computer-aided and hand drafting techniques. Previously offered as DHM 2103, DHM 3263 and HIDC 3263.Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor and Pass Proficiency Review and a minimum grade of C in DM 1123 and DM 2233 and MATH 1513 or MATH 1583 or MATH 1613 and ENGL 1113.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Interior Design Studio I: Residential
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Studio course utilizing the design process in the analysis and planning of residential environments using computer-aided and hand drafting techniques. Previously offered as DHM 2103, DHM 3263 and HIDC 3263.Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor and Pass Proficiency Review and a minimum grade of C in DM 1123 and DM 2233 and MATH 1513 or MATH 1583 or MATH 1613 and ENGL 1113.