INTERIOR DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN Interior designers make interior spaces beautiful, functional, and safe for almost every type of building including offices, homes, airport terminals, shopping malls, and restaurants. They select and specify colors, finishes, fabrics, furniture, flooring and wall coverings, lighting, and other materials to create useful and stylish interiors for buildings. The interior design industry, like many professional career fields, is tied to the economy. Trends in the changing job market include the emergence of career opportunities in kitchen and bath design, advanced computer-aided drafting, sustainable and green design, advanced lighting design, and universal/barrier-free interior design. The Interior Design program at College of DuPage provides fundamental and advanced education and practice in the interior design field. Students develop skills in drafting, computer technologies, space planning, construction details, code and life-safety issues, visualizing and rendering design concepts, lighting layout/specifying, client problem-solving, product review and specifications, and business principles and practices. For a complete list of courses in this program visit: cod.edu/catalog
WHY COLLEGE OF DuPAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU Whether you are preparing for a career in interior design, planning to transfer to a four-year baccalaureate-granting institution, or updating your skills, College of DuPage has the right program for you. We offer: Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry experience, certification, and licensing. Instruction in top-notch facilities and on cutting-edge equipment. Flexible schedules with day, evening, and online learning. Practical, hands-on experience as well as classroom-based studies. Affordable programs that get you on the fast track to success without breaking the bank. Small class sizes that ensure students receive extra and personalized attention from instructors. An Advisory Board made up of respected industry professionals ensures a curriculum that is informed by current and emerging trends in design and in-demand job skills, as well as educational support and opportunities in and out of the classroom.
I highly recommend College of DuPage, especially the Interior Design program and its very dedicated staff. The courses and projects at COD were challenging, rewarding and current. Barbara Polster ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.) IN INTERIOR DESIGN The A.A.S. in Interior Design degree program prepares students for successful entry into the Interior Design field or easy transfer to a fouryear university. The classes culminate in the four advanced studio classes where all skills and information are utilized in comprehensive projects in one of four specialized areas: residential, universal (special needs), office, and contract. Students in this program are required to complete 69 credits of coursework, which includes 57 credits in core program classes, 3 credits in approved electives, and 9 to 11 general education classes. Additional Interior Design elective courses are available for those students wishing to broaden their knowledge, update skills, and gain experience for an occupational edge over competition. CERTIFICATES IN INTERIOR DESIGN The Interior Design department at College of DuPage currently offers four certificate programs. These programs are aimed at interior design majors and returning professionals who are seeking advanced skills in specialized areas. Any required courses may be transferred from A.A.S. degree credits or may be met through review of Interior Design professional portfolio skills and consent of a coordinator.
Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate The Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design certificate program provides students with a broad range of instruction in areas such as architecture design and history, drafting, safety codes, computer applications, lighting, residential design, and kitchen and bath design. This program has received full endorsement by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which ensures students receive the most current, state-of-the-art instruction. Students are required to complete a minimum or 44 credits to earn this certificate. Advanced Lighting Certificate The Advanced Lighting certificate program provides students with the principles and techniques of interior lighting as well as areas such as drafting, safety codes, and computer applications. Students are required to complete 27 credit hours of coursework to earn this certificate. Advanced Computer Applications Certificate The Advanced Computer Applications certificate program provides students with knowledge and training in computer applications, drafting, interior systems and architectural details, perspective techniques, and safety codes, Students are required to complete 21 credit hours of coursework to earn this certificate. Advanced Sustainable Interior Design Certificate The Advanced Sustainable Interior Design certificate program is aimed at interior design majors and returning professionals who are seeking advanced skills in environmentally responsible design. Students in this program are required to complete 9 credits in coursework that includes green interiors and senior living design. STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES Facilities for the Interior Design program are housed in the recently constructed Technical Education Center (TEC). This $50 million facility is approximately 178,000 square feet and provides training across several disciplines. The TEC includes 31 classrooms, 16 state-of-the-art laboratories to accommodate 1,400 students, as well as space for raw material and vehicular storage. The LEED-certified center was designed with sustainability in mind and features two windmills and four solar panels on its roof. AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS Students who are planning to enroll in the Interior Design program at College of DuPage may be qualified to receive a financial award through a variety of supported scholarships. Visit cod.edu/foundation/scholarships_ list.aspx for requirements and a full list of available scholarships.
TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) facilitates the transfer of students from one Illinois institution to another. Both a general education core curriculum and a lower-division major recommendation course listing have been developed. For more information on transfer opportunities at College of DuPage, visit cod.edu/academics/transfer_programs. EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for Interior Designers was $46,280 in 2010, with top earners bringing in $86,430 or more. Projected growth in this field is expected to expand by 19 percent between 2010 and 2020. Designers will be needed to respond to consumer trends and expectations, such as being environmentally friendly or more easily accessible. For more information and employment statistics, visit www.bls.gov. POSSIBLE SPECIALIZATIONS FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS Kitchen and Bathroom Design: Use knowledge of appliances, hardware and stylistic sense to create aesthetically pleasing yet functional spaces. Corporate Interior Design: Create ergonomic and efficient workspaces that reflect the image of a company. Exhibit Design: Create exhibits of all kinds from art galleries to zoos to displays for tradeshows and showrooms. Feng Shui Interior Design: Use principles of Feng Shui to increase energy flow and create balance in an environment. Green Interior Design: Design spaces using products and methods that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Health Care Interior Design: Help make health care centers such as hospitals, cancer centers, drug treatment centers and nursing homes more efficient and welcoming. Hotel Interior Design: Create inviting spaces for the hotel industry while considering important factors such as comfort, function, aesthetic appeal, concept and budget. Restaurant Interior Design: Design spaces that will contribute to positive customer experiences and the success of restaurant businesses. Set Design: Design sets used in television, film, or theater.
To have instructors with experience in the world of design made all the difference. Deb Bayless, ID grad GETTING STARTED If you are considering this program as an area of study: Visit our website at cod.edu/programs/interior_design Consult with a faculty advisor or specialist: Jane Kielb, Assistant Professor Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1055, (630) 942-2508 Alison Greene, Program Advisor Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1047, (630) 942-2969 Anna Gay, Program Support Specialist (630) 942-2502 Contact the Business and Technology Division Office: Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1034, (630) 942-2592 The College will not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, arrest record, military status or unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status, or physical or mental handicap or disability. For Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD). For individuals who need language assistance, please contact Campus Central at (630) 942-2380. ADM-14-15996(R5/14)100
College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599 www.cod.edu