Interior Design
Degree
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Overview
The interior design program provides hands-on skills and a visual design sense necessary for professional work in the interior design industry. Students graduate with a presentation portfolio to move immediately into an interior design career. This program prepares students in the business skills of interior design such as the use of computers and business writing. Graduates from this rigorous program have a reputation for excellence in the design industry.
Students completing this degree will meet the requirements to be able to complete the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Exam, as well as the LEED, GA (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Associate) Exam. The NCIDQ Exam is the industry standard for Interior Design Practitioners and (as of January 2019) there is legislation in 28/50 states regulating the practice of interior design via the NCIDQ Exam.
Career Opportunities
Positions are available in architectural and interior design firms for entry-level interior designers. In time, students may decide to open their own design firm. Fine furniture stores have openings for designers. Students may also choose to work as sales representatives for one of the design-related industries. Whichever direction students pursue, they can be assured of an exciting and creative career.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, successful graduates will be able to:
- Use knowledge of design principles, theory, and history to address client needs.
- Apply design process skills using hand and computer generated solutions.
- Select and specify appropriate finishes, furniture, and construction components for end users.
- Identify and apply sustainable and environmental principles of design.
- Design code-based interior spaces to meet local and national regulations.
- Practice design industry business procedures.
- Create and use a visual portfolio to acquire employment or clientele.
Note: To give the program necessary depth and breadth, professionals employed full time in the interior design field teach many courses. Since these professionals have other work commitments, some classes will be scheduled only at night while others will be scheduled early in the morning.
Specifications for the Inspiration Board
The Interior Design program is a limited enrollment program and requires a separate application (in addition to applying to the College). To be accepted to the Interior Design program students are required to submit an electronic “Interior Design Inspiration Board” and a brief one-paragraph summary about "What Inspires You About Interior Design."
The requirements for the Inspiration Board are as follows:
- 11x14 page size
- Include title block with "Your Name" and "Interior Design Inspiration Board" as the title
- Include inspiration images for what inspires you about Interior Design (no more than 10)
- Add labels for all items
- No solid white backgrounds allowed!
- Save the page as a PDF titled with your first and last name and attach in an email (5 MB max size).
- The one paragraph summary:
- Write a short 1 paragraph summary to accompany the board about what inspires you about Interior Design
- Submit your digital inspiration board to ensign.link/idboard
- You will need your admissions application netID or your Ensign College student ID #
You will be notified as to whether or not you have been accepted into the ID program by email from the Interior Design Program Chair. The sooner you send in your inspiration board, the sooner you will be notified and the greater your chances of acceptance because enrollment is limited (see website for examples).
Course Requirements
Students are responsible to examine the course description of each course listed below for details of prerequisites, which must be satisfied before registering for the course.
Religion Cornerstone
| REL 200 | The Eternal Family | 2 credits |
| REL 225 | Foundations of the Restoration | 2 credits |
| REL 250 | Jesus Christ & Everlast Gospel | 2 credits |
| REL 275 | Teach & Doct of Book of Mormon | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Religion Electives
| REL *** | Choose 2 Elective Courses | 4 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Program College Courses
| BAP 115 | Excel and Intro. to Technology | 1 credit |
| CAR 101 | College Success | 1 credit |
| CAR 201 | Career Success | 1 credit |
| COM 122 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 credits |
| ENG 101 | Intro to College Writing | 3 credits |
| MAT 107 | Quan Analysis & Per Finance | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Program Core Courses
| ID 104 | Principles of Design | 2 credits |
| ID 110 | Color Theory | 2 credits |
| ID 118 | 3-D Design | 2 credits |
| ID 120 | Digital Presentation Technique | 3 credits |
| ID 125 | Drafting | 3 credits |
| ID 126 | Space Planning | 4 credits |
| ID 127 | Drawing Techniques | 3 credits |
| ID 128 | Textiles | 2 credits |
| ID 129 | Lighting | 3 credits |
| ID 130 | Studio I | 4 credits |
| ID 131 | Introduction to AutoCAD | 2 credits |
| ID 150 | Materials and Specifications | 2 credits |
| ID 151 | Kitchen & Bath (NKBA) | 3 credits |
| ID 210 | Historical Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
| ID 211 | Modern Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
| ID 230 | Studio II | 4 credits |
| ID 231 | Computer Design I | 3 credits |
| ID 232 | Computer Design II | 3 credits |
| ID 252 | LEED Prep | 2 credits |
| ID 265 | Codes and Regulations | 3 credits |
| ID 275 | Business of Interior Design | 3 credits |
| ID 280 | Portfolio | 3 credits |
| ID 290 | NCIDQ Prep | 3 credits |
| ID 299 | Interior Design Internship | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 66 |
Total Credit Hours: 86
Note: ID 299 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 299 may not be a substitute for ID 299.
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Depending upon preparatory courses required, additional semesters may be required to complete the program.
There are three scheduling options for completing the Interior Design AAS Degree:
- Year Round – Starting in Fall; This is the only option that allows students to walk at graduation after Winter (F/W/S/F/W/S)
- First summer off – Starting in Fall (F/W/Spring Off/F/W/S/F)
- Year Round – Starting in Winter (W/S/F/W/S/F)
Note: There are no Spring starts for the Interior Design AAS Program.
First Semester - Fall or Winter
| ID 104 | Principles of Design | 2 credits |
| ID 110 | Color Theory | 2 credits |
| ID 120 | Digital Presentation Technique | 3 credits |
| ID 125 | Drafting | 3 credits |
| CAR 101 | College Success | 1 credit |
| BAP 115 | Excel and Intro. to Technology | 1 credit |
| RELIGION | Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Second Semester - Winter or Spring
| ID 118 | 3-D Design | 2 credits |
| ID 127 | Drawing Techniques | 3 credits |
| ID 128 | Textiles | 2 credits |
| ID 131 | Introduction to AutoCAD | 2 credits |
| ENG 101 | Intro to College Writing | 3 credits |
| RELIGION | Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Third Semester - Fall or Spring
| ID 126 | Space Planning | 4 credits |
| ID 129 | Lighting | 3 credits |
| ID 151 | Kitchen & Bath (NKBA) | 3 credits |
| COM 122 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 credits |
| RELIGION | Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Semester - Fall or Winter
| ID 130 | Studio I | 4 credits |
| ID 150 | Materials and Specifications | 2 credits |
| ID 210 | Historical Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
| ID 231 | Computer Design I | 3 credits |
| MAT 107 | Quan Analysis & Per Finance | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fifth Semester - Winter or Spring
| ID 211 | Modern Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
| ID 230 | Studio II | 4 credits |
| ID 232 | Computer Design II | 3 credits |
| ID 265 | Codes and Regulations | 3 credits |
| ID 299 | Interior Design Internship | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Sixth Semester - Spring or Fall
| ID 252 | LEED Prep | 2 credits |
| ID 275 | Business of Interior Design | 3 credits |
| ID 280 | Portfolio | 3 credits |
| ID 290 | NCIDQ Prep | 3 credits |
| CAR 201 | Career Success | 1 credit |
| RELIGION | Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Total Credit Hours: 86
Note: ID 299 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 299 may not be a substitute for ID 299.
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum of 86 total semester credit hours as outlined
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in all Interior Design courses
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses
- Complete at least 50% of Interior Design courses at Ensign College
- Complete 2 cornerstone religion courses, plus 2 additional religion courses