Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design | Interior Designers Institute

Upon successful completion of the Avocational Certificate Course, comprising both Lectures and Studio Workshop, students may continue to the career-oriented Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design. Upon entering the Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design students are awarded 10 quarter credit units earned from the Avocational Certificate Course also referred to as the Foundation Course (125 Designing Phase I and 126 Designing Phase II). Emphasis is placed on teaching the student a more technical, broader and advanced level of design. This Program explores in-depth aspects of residential design including construction, building codes, lighting design and ground-up construction of larger residential projects. It is ideal for a student whose goal is to practice design on their own or work for a large, residential design firm. The Program also explores smaller commercial design projects. Upon completion, students may consider a design career in any of the following: model homes, set design, office spaceplanning, small-scaled commercial design, interior illustration/rendering, furniture, textile and wallcovering design, and lighting design.

The A.A. Degree in Interior Design Program is scheduled on a quarter system. The student has the option of completing this Program in 24-48 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 an Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design. The Degree Program has a total of 90 quarter credit units (equivalent to 60 semester credit units). 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

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 specifications.

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.

212 PERSPECTIVE

4 Units

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

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.