The Mission of the Interior Design Bachelor of Science degree program is to prepare students to pursue entry level positions in their field and function as trained professionals able to conceive and develop viable, creative design solutions within the interior environment. Students are prepared for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productively and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. By meeting the educational goals, students should develop an attitude of flexibility and a desire for life-long learning necessary to meet the changing demands of the interior design profession.

Creative individuals who design interiors create the spaces in which we spend most of our lives. We live, work, and play in environments designed by professionals who have a unique blend of artistic talent and practical experience.

Interior designers must have a thorough understanding of efficient space planning, human factors, color, pattern, lighting, furniture, and materials. These elements are essential to the creation of residential and commercial spaces. Whether working for architectural or interior design firms, hotel or restaurant chains, department or furniture stores, or independently as consultants or firm owners, accomplished designers are adept at working with clients and understanding their needs.

Students will have the opportunity to learn to develop conceptual ideas into functional designs by acquiring a foundation of creative and technical knowledge that will be applied to studio projects as they advance throughout the curriculum. Students receive training on how to generate construction documents, material specifications and work with a variety of building and life safety codes.

Students at The Art Institute of York, Pennsylvania are introduced to a world where color, texture, fabric, and light are instruments that paint an interior environment they can manipulate. Students are introduced to computer-aided drafting (CAD) and explore the world of interior design in the studio, the showroom, and the industry through a hands-on required internship opportunity. By graduation, students have learned to control space and affect perceptions through the application of their designs: the way color elicits response; the effect of ambient and task lighting on efficiency; the ability of a well designed space to control mood and support function.

We place great emphasis on the development of a working professional portfolio for every Interior Design student. Our faculty works with the students throughout the program to ensure that their projects are portfolio-ready by the time they reach graduation. Each student’s portfolio demonstrates a well-rounded set of design skills that is applicable in both the residential and commercial sides of the industry.

Curriculum

Total Credit Hours: 180 — 12 Quarters

Each class listed is a 3 credit, 4 clock hours per week course. Each quarter is 11 weeks. Three quarters or 33 weeks is defined as an academic year, during which a full time student would earn 48 quarter credits. Interior Design students graduate with a total of 180 quarter credit hours. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Some courses are offered on a rotating basis. Students should consult their Academic Advisor and/or Department Chair when creating their course schedule to ensure they are following the recommended sequence.