Community College of Philadelphia
Architecture, Design & Construction

Gallery of
Student Work

Course Descriptions

College Home Page

Interior Design

This Program leads to the Associate in Arts degree in Interior Design, with graduates prepared to transfer to baccalaureate institutions. However, after graduation from the Community College of Philadelphia, students may choose to enter the work force as junior or assistant designers, or as materials librarians. After four years of this employment, they are qualified to take the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) professional examination.

The primary goal of the Program is to teach students to be imaginative, responsible and knowledgeable interior designers. Within the context of the multi-disciplinary learning environment of the Architecture, Design & Construction Department, students develop, explore and apply the broad intellectual, visual and graphic capacities required to compete successfully in the challenging and rewarding field of interior design.

The curriculum and faculty are dedicated to providing each student strong design and technical experiences early in his or her education. The Interior Design Program is built upon a sequence of design studios. It is here that design fundamentals are acquired, and technical, historical and theoretical concepts are synthesized and applied. Students increase their spatial visualization capabilities and are guided in developing a design process and a personal creative vision. At the same time, they learn to work as part of a design team. The design projects are organized to build aesthetic understanding, technical abilities, sensitivity to human needs, and awareness of the social consequences of design decisions.

At the College, the study of interior design reflects the diverse, evolving roles and responsibilities of the design professional. The program provides a broad liberal arts education, drawing upon art, science, humanities, social science and the history of architecture and interior design. This is the vital foundation that leads to the ability to produce lasting, beautiful and functional design work.

Program Entry Requirements:
Interior Design is a select program and requires a faculty review of an applicant's portfolio of design work for admittance. Students recording an interest in Interior Design on their application to the College will be placed into the Computer-Assisted Design Technology (CADT) Program until the portfolio review is complete. Admission may be gained through two means. The first is through direct application with the submission of a portfolio of work demonstrating design ability. The portfolio should contain eight to ten copies of original work: photographs of sculptures or models, examples of drawing or drafting, and other work that would demonstrate design capability, originality and talent. Design work is evaluated for the potential of student achievement rather than accomplishment. In the absence of a portfolio, students can begin their program of study in the non-select Computer-Assisted Design Technology (CADT) Program which requires the same first semester departmental courses. The work from the first semester design studio course (ADC 109) is evaluated as a portfolio for entrance into the Interior Design program.

Interested high school students should complete a year of geometry, two years of algebra, and two years in art-related areas (drawing, sculpture, photography, or related areas). Mechanical drafting or CAD is also advantageous.

Students are required to take the College's placement tests at the time of admission. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the A.A. degree in Interior Design, a student must complete a minimum of 67 credits as prescribed, and attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C average).