OVERVIEW OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Interior Design Program Purpose:
The Interior Design program prepares students for professional service in residential and/or commercial design work. Students have various opportunities to explore and apply principles and elements of interior design and to create functional and aesthetic interior environments.
Interior Design includes a study of design; functional space planning and universal access; furnishings and window treatments; materials and components; and technical rendering and presentation skills in conjunction with a business orientation. The program is designed to provide both classroom and studio work with an on-the-job work experience in area businesses.
The learning experience goes beyond the classroom and includes working with actual clients and participating in design competitions through the student chapter of ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers. This AAS degree in Applied Design, Interior Design meets the academic requirements for ASID allied and professional membership.
Student Learning Outcomes:
(Fashion Design and Interior Design options)
Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Fashion or Interior Design, graduates will be able to do the following:
• Apply knowledge of design theory and the elements and principles of design through organizing, manipulating, and solving design problems related to their field
• Identify historical periods, materials, components, and products that impact current trends and issues
• Communicate and justify, through written and oral presentation and portfolio development, the details, inspiration, problems, solutions, and the vision of their design
• Demonstrate an understanding of business practices, work ethic, professionalism, and consumer marketing principles as related to the products and services of their field.
Opportunities in Interior Design:
Graduates of the Associate degree in Interior Design are prepared to enter the job market at entry-level positions and pursue careers in professions such as interior designers, assistant designers, kitchen and bath designers, lighting designers, retail furniture and/or home improvement sales, and home staging consultants. Many new graduates begin their careers in small to medium size design firms as sales associates and assistant designers, with opportunities to advance. The placement of students is excellent.
The Interior Design program of Pierpont Community & Technical College is a student chapter of ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers. Students who are members of the ASID student organization may become allied members upon graduation. Allied members of ASID who graduate from this program meet the academic eligibility to sit for the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam and to become a professional member.
Although West Virginia does not require professional interior designers to be licensed, many states do. This Interior Design degree will satisfy the academic requirement to take the exam to earn licensure. Students should consult the ASID website for further details regarding ASID membership and states requiring licensing. Students may also take two additional courses to receive an AutoCAD certification while completing their degree. Students with AutoCAD certification have additional job opportunities in the entry-level design field.
This program, at both the associate and bachelors level, meets all academic requirements for ASID professional registration and can be articulated into a 2+2 program with the Bachelor of
Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, with a major in Interior Design with additional study in Architectural Design and AutoCAD, at Fairmont State University, without loss of credit.
