pcc.edu/programs/interior-design/
Career and Program Description
Interior designers specialize in creating uniquely defined environments that cater to the special needs and functional requirements of its user. Students in this program learn to apply design principles and techniques to the professional planning and furnishing of residential interiors.
PCC’s Interior Design program is the only two-year degree program in residential interior design available in Oregon and Southern Washington. Our graduates are sought by employers for their unique abilities: adept design problem solving, ability to draw from historical traditions, and effective communication skills. The curriculum includes a range of courses from Interior Design, Architecture, Art, and Business. Students gain hands-on experience through an internship program. Articulation agreements are in place with select local colleges for those wanting to pursue related bachelor degrees.
The degree program prepares students for an entry-level position as an interior designer, or for more advanced placement in the wholesale and retail sales business. Emphasis is placed on a broad scope of courses which are application-oriented. Students must finish the Interior Furnishings Certificate before or concurrently with this option. Specializations within the program of study also include Design for Accessibility and Aging in Place and Kitchen and Bath Design.
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Interior Design
One-Year Certificate
Design for Accessibility and Aging in Place
Less than One-Year Certificate
Kitchen and Bath
Less than One-Year: Career Pathway Certificate
Interior Furnishings
Academic Prerequisites
- College level reading and writing skills and basic math skills are required. Individual courses may have prerequisites which are included in the course description.
Academic Requirements
- All ARCH, ART, BCT, COMM, and ID courses must be completed with a letter grade of "C" or better.
Non-Academic Prerequisites
- None
Non-Academic Requirements
- None
Interior Design AAS Degree
Minimum 92 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Applied Science Requirements. Students must complete a total of four courses of General Education. Some courses specified within the program may be used as General Education. Math/computation competency is met through the courses in the program of study indicated with a § symbol. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ART 116 | Basic Design: Color Foundations | 4 |
| ID 100 | Design Drafting and Visual Communication | 3 |
| ID 122 | History of Furniture-Ancient to 1800 | 3 |
| ID 131 | Introduction to Interiors | 3 |
| General Education: 1 course | ||
| Second Term | ||
| ID 120 | Interior Products and Materials I | 3 |
| ID 125 | Computer Drafting for Interior Designers | 3 |
| ID 130 | Building Systems for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 200 | Interior Design Studio Foundations | 3 |
| ID 230 | Textiles for Interiors | 3 |
| Third Term | ||
| COMM 111 | Public Speaking (COMM111=COMM111Z) *,Z | 4 |
| ID 128 | Digital Rendering and Presentation | 3 |
| ID 132 | Planning Interiors § | 3 |
| ID 235 | Intermediate CAD for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 236 | Lighting Design § | 3 |
| Fourth Term | ||
| ID 124 | Introduction to Woodworking | 3 |
| ID 133 | Space Planning § | 3 |
| ID 135 | Professional Practices for Designers § | 3 |
| ID 138 | Introduction to Kitchen and Bath Planning § | 3 |
| Fifth Term | ||
| ID 111 | Interior Design Construction Documents | 3 |
| ID 121 | Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors § | 3 |
| ID 123 | History of Furniture-1800 to Present | 3 |
| ID 127 | 3-D Modeling for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 137 | Commercial Tenant Improvement Studio | 3 |
| ID Degree Electives | 3 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| ID 232 | Business Communication for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 234 | Advanced Interiors | 3 |
| ID Degree Electives | 6 | |
| General Education: 1 course | ||
| Total Credits | 92 | |
- *
Could be used as General Education.
- §
Course cannot be substituted for another course.
- Z
This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. COMM 111 and COMM 111Z are equivalent.
Interior Design Degree Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 102 | Understanding the Visual Arts | 4 |
| ART 115 | Basic Design: 2D Foundations * | 4 |
| ART 117 | Basic Design: 3D Foundations | 4 |
| ART 131A | Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 141 | Introduction to Photography | 4 |
| ID 140 | Chief Architect for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 224 | Furniture Studio I | 3 |
| ID 238 | Advanced Kitchen and Bath Planning | 3 |
| ID 280A | Cooperative Education: Kitchen and Bath | 2-6 |
One-Year Certificate
Design for Accessibility and Aging in Place
Less than One-Year Certificate
Less than One-Year: Career Pathway Certificate
Design for Accessibility and Aging in Place One-Year Certificate
Minimum 49 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| GRN 181 | Exploring the Field of Aging | 2 |
| ID 100 | Design Drafting and Visual Communication | 3 |
| ID 131 | Introduction to Interiors | 3 |
| SOC 230 | Introduction to Gerontology | 4 |
| Second Term | ||
| ID 120 | Interior Products and Materials I | 3 |
| ID 121 | Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors § | 3 |
| ID 125 | Computer Drafting for Interior Designers | 3 |
| SOC 223 | Sociology of the Life Course | 4 |
| Third Term | ||
| ID 130 | Building Systems for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 132 | Planning Interiors § | 3 |
| SOC 231 | Sociology of Healthy Aging | 4 |
| Fourth Term | ||
| BCT 100 | Overview to the Construction Industry | 3 |
| GRN 282 | Gerontology Professional Seminar | 2 |
| ID 133 | Space Planning | 3 |
| ID 138 | Introduction to Kitchen and Bath Planning § | 3 |
| ID 236 | Lighting Design § | 3 |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
- §
Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.
Kitchen and Bath Less than One-Year Certificate
Minimum 36 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ID 100 | Design Drafting and Visual Communication | 3 |
| ID 130 | Building Systems for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 131 | Introduction to Interiors | 3 |
| Second Term | ||
| ID 120 | Interior Products and Materials I | 3 |
| ID 121 | Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors | 3 |
| ID 125 | Computer Drafting for Interior Designers | 3 |
| ID 138 | Introduction to Kitchen and Bath Planning | 3 |
| Third Term | ||
| ID 132 | Planning Interiors | 3 |
| ID 135 | Professional Practices for Designers | 3 |
| ID 238 | Advanced Kitchen and Bath Planning | 3 |
| Fourth Term | ||
| ID 133 | Space Planning | 3 |
| ID 236 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Interior Furnishings Career Pathway Certificate
Minimum 36 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. The Interior Furnishings Certificate Career Pathway. All courses are in the Interior Design AAS Degree.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ID 100 | Design Drafting and Visual Communication | 3 |
| ID 122 | History of Furniture-Ancient to 1800 | 3 |
| ID 131 | Introduction to Interiors | 3 |
| Second Term | ||
| ID 120 | Interior Products and Materials I | 3 |
| ID 123 | History of Furniture-1800 to Present | 3 |
| ID 125 | Computer Drafting for Interior Designers | 3 |
| ID 130 | Building Systems for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 135 | Professional Practices for Designers | 3 |
| Third Term | ||
| ID 121 | Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors | 3 |
| ID 230 | Textiles for Interiors | 3 |
| ID 232 | Business Communication for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 236 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
ID 100. Design Drafting and Visual Communication. 3 Credits.
Explores the foundational drafting and drawing skills for the practice of interior design. Covers ideation sketches, diagram sketches, three-dimensional work, drafting orthographic drawings and perspective sketches. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 111. Interior Design Construction Documents. 3 Credits.
Covers standards of architectural drafting, using architectural graphic standards, for the creation of a series of drawings referred to as a "drawing set". Examines construction processes and terminology. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 125, ID 130, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 120. Interior Products and Materials I. 3 Credits.
Covers analysis and evaluation of materials and products utilized in the interior design profession. Focuses on the properties, cost, sustainability and installation of materials. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 121. Sustainable Materials for Residential Interiors. 3 Credits.
Covers the environmental impact of materials used in residential interior design. Includes analysis and evaluation of materials based on multiple types of criteria and information. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 122. History of Furniture-Ancient to 1800. 3 Credits.
Covers and analyzes styles of furnishings from antiquity through the 18th century. Includes contemporary usage as well as the mixing of period furniture styles. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 123. History of Furniture-1800 to Present. 3 Credits.
Presents an analysis of interior design and furnishings from the 19th century to the present. Includes contemporary usage as well as the mixing of period furniture styles. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 124. Introduction to Woodworking. 3 Credits.
Introduces the art and craft of woodworking. Focuses primarily on wood furniture as it relates to interior design. Covers various wood species, grain, sustainability, machining and fabrication. Includes a hands-on experience in woodworking. Open to all students.
ID 125. Computer Drafting for Interior Designers. 3 Credits.
Introduces computer-aided design software as a drafting tool for residential design. Covers creation and modification of drawings such as floor plans, elevations, furniture and lighting plans, and three-dimensional projections. Focuses on interior plans and elevations of cabinetry for kitchen/bath design, writing/calculating specifications, and how to use drawings to communicate design concepts to clients.
ID 127. 3-D Modeling for Interior Design. 3 Credits.
Introduces basic 3-D modeling terminology, concepts, and tools used to create simple interior building models and useful everyday shapes using 3-D modeling software. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 128. Digital Rendering and Presentation. 3 Credits.
Introduces the skills necessary for the use of computer software programs used for architectural design processes and presentation techniques. Prerequisites: ID 127 or ARCH 127 or ARCH 237, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 130. Building Systems for Interior Design. 3 Credits.
Surveys building systems as they pertain to interior design remodeling and construction. Covers mechanical systems of residential and light commercial interiors. Emphasizes environmental concerns and sustainable building practices. Covers building codes as they pertain to interior remodeling. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 131. Introduction to Interiors. 3 Credits.
Covers design elements and principles as applied to interiors. Includes skill development in drawing floor plans, analyzing furniture arrangement, and basic techniques for creating interior design presentation boards including floor plans, color boards, and elevation drawings. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Prerequisite/concurrent: ID 100.
ID 132. Planning Interiors. 3 Credits.
Covers designing interiors utilizing design and furniture arrangement skills, and developing skills in selection of furniture, floor coverings, wall and window treatments, color, fabric and pattern, lighting and accessories. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131 and (ID 125 or ID 235), and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 133. Space Planning. 3 Credits.
Covers functional and aesthetic design requirements of interior space planning. Relates aspects of both residential and commercial interior design to needs of individuals and groups. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 125, ID 130, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 135. Professional Practices for Designers. 3 Credits.
Covers the business administration of the interior design profession. Includes topics on ethics, contracts, licensing, ordering, client designer relationships, costs, billing structures, and legal considerations. Prerequisites: ID 120 or ID 121. Audit available.
ID 137. Commercial Tenant Improvement Studio. 3 Credits.
Covers the transformation of existing leased space. Involves creation of a design solution for a small business. Prerequisites: ID 125 and ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 138. Introduction to Kitchen and Bath Planning. 3 Credits.
Incorporates basic functional and aesthetic design principles for residential kitchen and bath planning. Covers the kitchen and bath planning process from conceptual design to construction completion. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 125, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 140. Chief Architect for Interior Design. 3 Credits.
Covers the use of Chief Architect, a CAD software program, for use by interior designers.
ID 200. Interior Design Studio Foundations. 3 Credits.
Covers the historical, social and personal contexts of interior design. Offers the opportunity to complete various design projects. Includes examples of the built environment from many sources. Prerequisite: ID 100, ID 131.
ID 224. Furniture Studio I. 3 Credits.
Continues the art and craft of woodworking focusing on skills and knowledge gained. Encourages individuals to focus their work using a designer and maker perspective. Develops knowledge and skills of fine furniture fabrication which complements interior design and other creative professions. Prerequisite: ID 124 or instructor approval.
ID 230. Textiles for Interiors. 3 Credits.
Covers knowledge and critical thinking skills required for the identification, selection, usage and care of textile products. Prerequisite: ID 100, ID 131.
ID 232. Business Communication for Interior Design. 3 Credits.
Outlines the importance of persuasive communication in matters of sales, client management and project coordination. Covers product sourcing, business taxes, and budgeting. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 131 and ID 135.
ID 234. Advanced Interiors. 3 Credits.
Offers a capstone experience to prepare for transition to the field of interior design. Requires the development of an individual self-led design project. Prerequisites: ID 132, ID 133, ID 235, ID 127, ID 128. Prerequisite/concurrent: ID 135, ID 236.
ID 235. Intermediate CAD for Interior Design. 3 Credits.
Continues to build foundational computer-aided drafting (CAD) skills using CAD software and its applications for the practice of interior design. Prerequisite: ID 125.
ID 236. Lighting Design. 3 Credits.
Covers interior lighting as it relates to residential interiors. Includes terminology, lamps, fixtures, cost factors, developing lighting plans, design techniques and energy saving strategies. Prerequisites: ID 100, ID 125, ID 131, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
ID 238. Advanced Kitchen and Bath Planning. 3 Credits.
Incorporates advanced understanding of design principles and elements to analyze and evaluate functionality and aesthetic principles for residential kitchen and bath planning. Includes Universal Design as it relates to the kitchen and bath and incorporates an advanced understanding of the guidelines as established by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Prerequisites: ID 138 or BCT 229.
ID 280A. Cooperative Education: Kitchen and Bath. 2-6 Credit.
Provides opportunity to work or observe on approved job sites. Provides experiences dependent on job site. Must be coordinated with the supervisor, instructor, and cooperative education specialist. Prerequisite: Department permission.