Interior Design Program at OCC

Orchard Ridge Campus

Interior Design Program - OPEN HOUSE
Click here for more details!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Orchard Ridge Campus ~ Smith Theatre Lobby

(Refreshments will be served)

Program Description

This program, leading to an Associate Degree in Applied Science, will expose the student to the human and professional issues of a building's interior and the designing of environments. This career program will concentrate on developing artistic maturity and analytical strengths while providing cutting edge resources for balancing creative gifts with practical skills. In addition to gaining experience with selecting furnishings; fabrics; floor and wall coverings; making models and preparing presentations, the student will be designing, rendering and drafting by hand and through the use of digital imaging software.

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Interior Design • INT 1100 (3 Credits)
This course provides an overview of the Interior Design profession and those practices and human issues pertinent to the design of interior environments. Elements and principles of design will be studied as they relate to space planning, furnishing and materials for residential and commercial interiors. Field trips may be included.

Sketching and Drafting for Interiors • INT 1140 (3 Credits)
This course explores the various freehand and architectural drafting techniques used by interior designers in concept development and presentation. Various drawing media, freehand and mechanical drafting practices will be used to create, render, shade and shadow perspective and elevation drawings.

Interior Design Materials • INT 1180 (3 Credits)
This course presents information on the characteristics, the properties and the application of materials and related products and components used by interior designers. This course provides students with product information and an overview of interior cabinetry, fixtures, textiles and window treatments as well as floor, wall and ceiling finishes. Field trips will be included.

Lighting and Color for Interiors • INT 1200 (3 Credits)
This course presents information on color schemes and lighting fundamentals in relation to their physical and psychological effects on interior environments. Students will be shown the various residential and commercial light fixtures and market sources available. They will study color harmony and lighting placement as it applies to residential and commercial situations. Field trips will be included.

Computer Aided Interior Design I • INT 1300 (3 Credits) Prerequisites: INT 1140, or experienced design professional.
Students will be introduced to methods of computer use to aid the interior design process. Students will receive hands-on experience with emphasis on 2-D drafting. Students will be shown how to create, store, modify and plot drawings such as floor plans, furniture plans, reflected ceiling plans and elevations. Course/lab fees

Computer Aided Interior Design II • INT 2300 (3 Credits) Prerequisites: INT 1300 or experienced design professional.
This course explores advanced applications of computer use to aid the interior design process. It offers students hands-on experience with emphasis on creating a complete package of project documents. Students are expected to select a project in their speciality area and develop tools for administering, planning, constructing and presenting their design solution. Course/lab fees.

Professional Practices & Presentations • INT 2500 (3 Credits) Prerequisites: INT 1100, INT 1140, INT 1180, INT 1200.
This course explores interior design theory, and the application of design practices and presentations in space planning projects. It integrates interior design philosophy, problem solving strategies, historical/contemporary influences, human/social factors, business matters and the sequencing of project organization requirements. In addition to hands-on design activities, students will gain experience using their oral, written and multimedia communication skills in the formal presentation of their projects. Course/lab fees.

Interior Design Studio • INT 2560 (3 Credits) Prerequisites: INT 2300, INT 2500 or permission of department.
Students will develop creative interior environments through all stages of the design process from concept through appropriate use of materials, space planning, budgeting, and final graphic presentations. Projects will be selected from available options and team projects will provide group work experience. Course/lab fees.

Design Internship I • INT 2571-3 (1-3 credits) Prerequisites: INT1100, INT1140, INT1180, INT1200, INT1300 and consent of department. Work experience is arranged at an appropriate job that will provide students with an opportunity to apply skills and refine techniques in an actual work environment. A minimum of 45 hours of work experience will be required for each hour of credit earned (90 hours for 2 credits, 135 hours for 3 credits).

Please note that for the Fall 2006 catalog, 45 hours of the Design Internship 1 course will be mandatory for all Interior Design students. It is advised that each student seek academic counseling services on campus to find if this applies to meeting particular graduation requirements.

Design Internship II • INT 2581-3 (1-3 credits) Prerequisites: INT 2571, or INT2572, or INT2573, and consent of department. Work experience at an appropriate job will continue at the appropriate job for the student to continue to apply skills and refine techniques. A minimum of 45 hours of work experience will be required for each hour of credit earned (90 hours for 2 credits, 135 hours for 3 credits).

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Interior Designer?
Interior Design is a profession that allows one to create environments conducive to one’s work or home needs. Many factors are involved in designing an interior space. Once the structural elements of the building’s frame have been laid into place, it then becomes the responsibility of an Interior Designer to coordinate the functional and aesthetical elements for its interior. Spatial relationships, color, lighting, textures, and surface materials interconnect to complete the overall design.

Why Do I Need An Education To Be An Interior Designer?
To answer this question one must understand the difference between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator. A Designer is a professional who has an educational background to support their skills. A decorator can offer a client beneficial information through experience only, they have not been educated in the field of design. In today’s competitive job market employers and clients alike are looking for that specially trained individual. To design facilities, homes, and other interior spaces one must be trained to think conceptually, analyze functional and aesthetical requirements, and execute effective designs through precise channels (drawings and product specifications). As the profession of Interior Design grows so too do the requirements to practice it, several states are now adopting legislation that requires licensing based on education and testing.

What Are Some Of The Career Avenues That Designers Take?
The areas that pull upon basic design skills are Residential design and related areas such as Visual Merchandising (store displays), Lighting Design and sales, and Kitchen and Bath design. Commercial design for offices and public spaces allows a designer to work on larger scale more detail and code oriented projects. Students wishing to pursue this career avenue should expect the contract design firms to typically expect candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design.

What skills should a student possess to be able to take the Interior Design courses?
Students are instructed on how to create visual presentation boards and drawings. Taking a speech course does help many students feel more confident when then verbally demonstrating their work. Accepting and giving constructive criticism is an integral part of the curriculum. Each student is called upon to identify strengths in weaknesses in theirs’ and others’ design concepts. When participating in the program, it is helpful for students to have basic computer literacy. Being proficient in using a mouse, keyboard, and a disk, is all helpful for one to be successful in the Interior Design CAD courses (INT1300 and INT2300).

What equipment should a student expect to have when participating in an Interior Design course at Oakland Community college?
A student participating in any of the courses will be expected to produce visual presentations and/or drawings and scaled models. This will involve the purchase of not only textbooks but also drafting equipment (triangle, drafting pencil, architectural scale, etc.) and presentation materials (mat board, foam board, color rendering pencils and markers, etc.). Assembling the sample boards will be done by cutting finish samples and photographic product images and assembling them into a graphic presentation form. Examples of many of the course projects can be found on the Interior Design web sit under, “sample board images”

To get an idea of cost, students can visit the Orchard Ridge bookstore. Every effort has been made to offer the equipment at the campus bookstore so that qualified students can use their financial aid. Students planning on participating in more then one course of the program, may find it helpful to invest in a drafting board for home use.

What time investments should a student expect to invest to be successful in an Interior Design course at O.C.C.?
Successful time management is a critical skill for students to perform well. One can expect to spend about 8 hours (on average) on projects and course work for any one INT course. Since some courses may contain lower or heavier work loads then others, it is helpful to review the Interior Design program schedule (listed within this document). This outline reveals helpful suggestions for full-time students as to which courses would be appropriate to take at the same time. It is never suggested that a student take more than two Interior Design courses within the same semester.

How Do I Find Out About The Interior Design Program At Oakland Community College?
On campus counselors can be contacted on how to meet educational guidelines for the Interior Design Program. Please call the Counseling Department directly at (248) 522-3450 for an appointment. Located directly on the Farmington Hills campus, this office can provide one-on-one counseling.

INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM Course offerings by semester (F=Fall, W=Winter, S1=Summer 1)

INT 1100 Introduction to Interior Design F W S1
INT 1140 Sketching and Drafting for Interiors F W
INT 1300 Computer Aided Interior Design I W S1
INT 1180 Interior Design Materials F W
INT 1200 Lighting and Color for Interiors F W
INT 2300 Computer Aided Interior Design II F
INT 2500 Professional Practices and Presentation F
INT 2560 Interior Design Studio W
INT 2571-3 Design Internship I F W S1
INT 2581-3 Design Internship II F W S1

Actual scheduling may vary. Please check a current schedule of classes for actual course offerings

If you have additional Interior Design program questions please contact:

Ms. Michelle Pergeau, Faculty
Fine & Performing Arts Department
e-Mail: mlpergea@oaklandcc.edu
Phone: 248.522.3676

Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge Campus
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334