Interior Design - Associate of Applied Science
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.
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 ID or your Ensign 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).
Professional Licensure
In general, most states, including Utah, do not require a license to work in this field. However, individuals who are licensed often have additional benefits, such as being able to stamp and permit their own drawings. Some states may have additional licensure requirements. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you plan to practice in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
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
Religion Cornerstone Courses
Students must complete two of the following courses
| REL 200 | The Eternal Family (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
| REL 225 | Foundations of the Restoration (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
| REL 250 | Jesus Christ & His Everlasting Gospel (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
| REL 275 | Teachings & Doctrine of The Book of Mormon (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Religion Electives
Students must complete two additional religion courses
Total Credit Hours: 8
College and Career Success
Complete both of the following
| CAR 101 | College Success | 1 credit |
| BAP 115 | Excel and Introduction to Technology | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Internship
| ID 299 | Interior Design Internship | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
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.
College Fundamentals
| COMM 122 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 credits |
| ENG 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 credits |
| MAT 107 | Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
The
MAT 107 requirement can also be satisfied by any math course higher than
MAT 107
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 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 65 |
Total Credit Hours: 65
Total Credit Hours: 85
Graduation Requirements
Minimum of 85 total semester credit hours as outlined
1. GPA of 3.0 or higher in all Interior Design courses
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses
3. Complete at least 50% of Interior Design courses at Ensign College
4. Complete 2 cornerstone religion courses, plus 2 additional religion courses
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Individual student circumstances, such as the need for a smaller course load or the number of preparatory English or Math courses a student must take, may require additional semesters to complete the program. Please see your academic advisor for assistance.
There are three scheduling options for completing the Interior Design AAS Degree:
- Year Round – Starting in Fall
- (Note: This is the only option that allows students to walk at graduation after Winter)
- First Summer off – Starting in Fall
- Year Round – Starting in Winter
- Note: There are no Spring starts for the Interior Design AAS Program
6 Semesters - F/W/S/F/W/S or F/W/(Spring Off)/F/W/S/F or W/S/F/W/S/F
First Semester - Fall or Winter
ID 104, Principles of Design, 2 credits
ID 110, Color Theory, 2 credits
ID 120, Digital Presentation Techniques, 3 credits
ID 125, Drafting, 3 credits
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester 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
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Third Semester - Fall or Spring
ID 126, Space Planning, 4 credits
ID 129, Lighting, 3 credits
ID 151, Kitchen and Bath (NKBA), 3 credits
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester 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, Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance, 3 credits, OR HIGHER
Total Minimum Semester 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 Minimum Semester 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
REL, Religion, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 13
Total Interior Design AAS Degree Minimum Credit Hours 85
**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.