Bachelor of Arts Degree Program Interior Design

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design is designed for the career-oriented student whose goal is to design large commercial and residential projects that require a more technical and advanced level of design and stronger computer skills than explored in the A.A. in Interior Design Degree. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design Program explores advanced levels of commercial projects such as resorts and hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, office complexes, hospitals, spas and salons. Upon completion, students may also consider a design career in any of the following: hospitality design, health care, office design, retail design, set design, interior illustration/rendering, lighting design, furniture, textile and wallcovering design. The B.A. Degree in Interior Design Program is scheduled on a quarter system. The student has the option of completing this Program in 30 to 54 months. Day and evening classes are available. Upon completion with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better, the student will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design. The B.A. Degree in Interior Design Program has a total of 180 quarter credit units (includes 45 quarter credit units of general education from another college). This is equivalent to 120 semester credit units.

To receive the B.A. Degree in Interior Design, the student must complete 45 quarter (30 semester) credit units in general education. General education credits must be taken concurrently with, or prior to completion of, the design courses at the Institute. Upon entering the Institute, each student will consult with our staff to determine the status of any prior general education courses. These credits must be taken at an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. A grade of “C” or better is required to transfer credit. Courses or course requirements may be changed at any time by Interior Designers Institute, however, the number of credit units required for graduation will be the same as stated in the catalog upon enrollment.

125 DESIGNING PHASE I*

4 Units

Beginning lecture course consisting of lectures on the beginning design concepts in designing a home and on the selection of materials and finishes for a home. There are field trips to design centers and guest speakers who offer first-hand knowledge with inside tips and personal experience.

126 DESIGNING PHASE II*

4 Units

A beginning studio where a student is taken though the steps of designing a home from initial spaceplanning, furniture selection, window treatments, fabrics and flooring materials to the final concept.

200 ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING I*

4 Units

Drafting skills and blueprint reading. Emphasis is placed on the structural aspects of residential and commercial blueprints.

201 HISTORY OF INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE I*

4 Units

Study of the history of both interiors and architecture from the Egyptian period to the 1900’s.

202 HISTORY OF INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE II*

4 Units

Study of the history of both interiors and architecture from the 1900’s to the present.

203 RESIDENTIAL DESIGN*

4 Units

Assignment of a studio project in the residential field utilizing programming, schematic design and design development with emphasis on the spatial envelope. Students will specify all materials for the living space and complete the project by preparing a model and boards.

205 COMMERCIAL DESIGN I*

4 Units

Assignment of a studio project in the commercial field. Lectures will be given for support information on various types of commercial installations. Students will complete the project by preparing a model and boards.

206 COMMERCIAL DESIGN II*

4 Units

Students will study commercial design with emphasis on office systems, ergonomic seating and construction documents.

207 MATERIALS SPECIFICATION*

4 Units

The Materials class is an extensive review of materials characteristics, students will evaluate, select, and specify materials. Students learn how to communicate with suppliers and vendors to achieve top results and avoid common pitfalls in material specification.

208 CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES*

4 Units

Study of building techniques used in today’s building industry. Emphasis is placed on plumbing, electrical, heating and architect/interior design relations. Vocabulary used in the industry will be studied.

209 DESIGN THINKING

4 Units

A course exploring three-dimensional design principles. Through sketching and model building, the class analyzes form, spatial ordering and circulation systems.

210 COLOR*

4 Units

In-depth study of color and its psychological effect on the environment. Color systems will be studied in detail.

215 SPACEPLANNING*

4 Units

A series of spaceplanning projects are assigned. Speed and accuracy of spaceplanning are stressed. Lecture to accompany the class on space allowance specifications.

216 SKETCHUP*

4 Units

Introduction to SketchUp. SketchUp is a 3D modelling CAD software program. SketchUp allows the creation of a large number of 3D models, and is used for professional interior design projects.

217 BUSINESS PRINCIPLES*

4 Units

A detailed study of the principles for management of an independent design studio. All business procedures will be researched.

218 TEXTILES*

4 Units

Exploration of the world of textiles, fibers and their purchase and manufacturing. Resources for textile purchase also will be studied.

220 HEALTHCARE DESIGN*

4 Units

Study of the design of health care facilities. The class is part lecture and part studio with a set of working portfolio boards completed for the final. Specification writing is also covered.

221 PHOTOSHOP*

4 Units

Learn skills required for production of digital presentation boards, management of image files, printing and integration of AutoCad into image files.

222 BUILDING CODES*

4 Units

An overview of building codes required in commercial installations.

223 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN*

4 Units

Study of sustainable environments, quality of life issues and the “smart house”-use of computers and electronics in buildings.

225 COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING I*

6 Units

Introduction to architectural computer drafting with emphasis on interior design, using AUTOCAD software and Windows.

312 PERSPECTIVE*

4 Units

Students will learn one- and two-point perspective and other visual rendering techniques.

421 COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING II

4 Units

Continuation of architectural computer drafting with emphasis on interior design, using AUTOCAD software and Windows.

429 HISTORIC PRESERVATION THESIS

8 Units

Students study the art of historical detail and preservation of houses in California. Research and preservation methods are studied.

430 CAREER STUDY

6 Units

Internship with professional designers. Learning goals are set and a professor works with the student on a weekly basis to discuss the student’s progress. Prerequisite: Faculty consent.

434 SENIOR SHOW/PORTFOLIO PREPARATION AND WEB DESIGN

6 Units

Studio where students will put the polishing touch on their portfolios. Advanced portfolio styles and alternate portfolio presentation methods will be studied.

440 SENIOR STUDIO

4 Units

An advanced studio teaching the student to solve problems of a complex nature. Developing the spatial envelope of a multilevel space for a mixed use project, students will design the space using concepts and skills learned in prior studios. The course includes lectures, demonstrations and critiques of works-in-progress. Digital boards and construction documents are created in this class.

441 KITCHEN/BATH

4 Units

Design and plan safe and effective kitchens and bathrooms; utilize key industry information and planning guidelines based on historical review, current industry environment, future trends, consumer lifestyles, research, building codes and current industry practices.

442 DIGITAL PRESENTATION

5 Units

Digital Presentation (Using TinkerCad, InDesign & SketchUp’s Fly-through Animation) This course introduces the student to three software programs. The first four weeks teaches the student to design with a 3D Printer. The second four weeks teaches the student InDesign, a publishing software program and the final four weeks develops the student’s ability to create video animation with SketchUp’s Fly-through Animation.

443 REVIT ARCHITECTURE

4 Units

This course teaches the concepts and tools of Revit, a building information modeling program for architects and interior designers. Students are introduced to Revit’s powerful 3D model organization for visualization, presentation, and creation of construction documents. Instruction demonstrates how this unique software enables design professionals to save time and reduce errors as design changes are automatically coordinated throughout the entire model and drawing set.

* Transfers from A.A. in Interior Design Program