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

Course NumberTitleCredits
REL 200The Eternal Family

2 credits

REL 225Foundations of the Restoration

2 credits

REL 250Jesus Christ & Everlast Gospel

2 credits

REL 275Teach & Doct of Book of Mormon

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:4

Religion Electives

Course NumberTitleCredits
REL *** Choose 2 Elective Courses

4 credits

Total Credit Hours:4

Program College Courses

Course NumberTitleCredits
BAP 115Excel and Intro. to Technology

1 credit

CAR 101College Success

1 credit

CAR 201Career Success

1 credit

COM 122Interpersonal Communications

3 credits

ENG 101Intro to College Writing

3 credits

MAT 107Quan Analysis & Per Finance

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:12

Program Core Courses

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 104Principles of Design

2 credits

ID 110Color Theory

2 credits

ID 1183-D Design

2 credits

ID 120Digital Presentation Technique

3 credits

ID 125Drafting

3 credits

ID 126Space Planning

4 credits

ID 127Drawing Techniques

3 credits

ID 128Textiles

2 credits

ID 129Lighting

3 credits

ID 130Studio I

4 credits

ID 131Introduction to AutoCAD

2 credits

ID 150Materials and Specifications

2 credits

ID 151Kitchen & Bath (NKBA)

3 credits

ID 210Historical Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits

ID 211Modern Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits

ID 230Studio II

4 credits

ID 231Computer Design I

3 credits

ID 232Computer Design II

3 credits

ID 252LEED Prep

2 credits

ID 265Codes and Regulations

3 credits

ID 275Business of Interior Design

3 credits

ID 280Portfolio

3 credits

ID 290NCIDQ Prep

3 credits

ID 299Interior 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:

  1. 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)
  2. First summer off – Starting in Fall (F/W/Spring Off/F/W/S/F)
  3. 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

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 104Principles of Design

2 credits

ID 110Color Theory

2 credits

ID 120Digital Presentation Technique

3 credits

ID 125Drafting

3 credits

CAR 101College Success

1 credit

BAP 115Excel and Intro. to Technology

1 credit

RELIGION Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:14

Second Semester - Winter or Spring

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 1183-D Design

2 credits

ID 127Drawing Techniques

3 credits

ID 128Textiles

2 credits

ID 131Introduction to AutoCAD

2 credits

ENG 101Intro to College Writing

3 credits

RELIGION Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:14

Third Semester - Fall or Spring

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 126Space Planning

4 credits

ID 129Lighting

3 credits

ID 151Kitchen & Bath (NKBA)

3 credits

COM 122Interpersonal Communications

3 credits

RELIGION Cornerstone Religion or Religion Elective

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester - Fall or Winter

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 130Studio I

4 credits

ID 150Materials and Specifications

2 credits

ID 210Historical Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits

ID 231Computer Design I

3 credits

MAT 107Quan Analysis & Per Finance

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fifth Semester - Winter or Spring

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 211Modern Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits

ID 230Studio II

4 credits

ID 232Computer Design II

3 credits

ID 265Codes and Regulations

3 credits

ID 299Interior Design Internship

1 credit

Total Credit Hours:14

Sixth Semester - Spring or Fall

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 252LEED Prep

2 credits

ID 275Business of Interior Design

3 credits

ID 280Portfolio

3 credits

ID 290NCIDQ Prep

3 credits

CAR 201Career 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

  1. Minimum of 86 total semester credit hours as outlined
  2. GPA of 3.0 or higher in all Interior Design courses
  3. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses
  4. Complete at least 50% of Interior Design courses at Ensign College
  5. Complete 2 cornerstone religion courses, plus 2 additional religion courses