The Association of University Interior Designers was founded in 1979 after In-House designers at several Midwestern Universities found the need to communicate and share ideas on how to provide their institutions with safe, functional, cost effective and professionally designed interiors.

The concept of such an organization began in several places simultaneously. In 1976, JoAnna Henegar, a Designer for Physical Facilities at Indiana University, wanted to initiate contact with other in-house designers, but not limited to Universities. At the same time, Zetta Anderson, also a Designer at Indiana University , but working in the Halls of Residence, was contacting Designers at other Big 10 Conference Universities for the same reasons.

To expedite the process, both Designers contacted manufacturer's representatives to spread the word about the formation of such a design organization. JoAnna and Zetta were put in contact with Joy Adcock of Michigan State University and Virginia Denham of the University of Michigan . These two Designers also recognized the need for networking among such in-house design professionals and acknowledged the desire not to open membership to manufacturer's reps or other trade persons.