Interior Design
The Interior Design curriculum is designed to prepare students for a variety of job opportunities in residential and non-residential interior design. The focus of the studies is technical knowledge, professional practices, and aesthetic principles.
Curriculum content includes residential and non-residential interior design, architectural drafting, computer-aided design, and universal design. Also included are basic design, history of interiors and furnishings, color theory, products, business practices, graphic presentations, and general education courses.
Graduates should qualify for various jobs, including residential and commercial interior design, set design, showroom design, and sales positions for furniture, textiles, and accessories and all businesses dealing with interiors.
General Information
Increasingly, our interior living and working spaces are being developed for a more sophisticated society. The Interior Design program at Central Piedmont prepares students to design today's interior spaces and tomorrow using the best of today’s technology.
For specific information about potential positions and wages in interior design employment, visit the Central Piedmont Career Coach website.
Interior Design (A30220)
Degree Awarded
The Associate in Applied Science Degree - Interior Design is awarded by the College upon completing this program.
Admissions
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required. GED High School Equivalency and High School Diploma classes are available at Central Piedmont.
- Central Piedmont placement tests are required in English and mathematics. Developmental Studies in mathematics and English courses are available for students to build basic skills and knowledge.
- A counseling/orientation appointment follows placement testing.
- Contact the Program chair to enter the Interior Design program.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Courses section for details.
Contact Information
For more information, call the Interior Design Department at 704.330.6548, or visit the Interior Design Program website.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| Take one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Writing and Research in the Disciplines | ||
| Literature-Based Research | ||
| Professional Research & Reporting | ||
| Introduction to Communication (Take one of the following) | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Take one of the following | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Take 1 course: | 3.0 | |
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| DES 110 | Architectural Graphics | 2.0 |
| DES 112 | Building and Construction Systems | 3.0 |
| DES 120 | CAD for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 125 | Visual Presentation I | 2.0 |
| DES 130 | Digital Applications and Interior Design | 3.0 |
| DES 135 | Principles and Elements of Design I | 4.0 |
| DES 210 | Professional Practices for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 220 | Interior Design Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| DES 225 | Textiles for Interiors | 3.0 |
| DES 230 | Residential Design I | 3.0 |
| DES 231 | Residential Design II | 3.0 |
| DES 235 | Products | 3.0 |
| DES 240 | Commercial and Contract Design I | 3.0 |
| DES 241 | Commercial/Contract Design II | 3.0 |
| DES 255 | History of Interiors and Furnishings I | 3.0 |
| DES 275 | Furniture Design & Construction | 3.0 |
| DES 280 | Codes and Standards/Interior Design | 3.0 |
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select 4 credits of the following: | 4.0 | |
| Color Theory | ||
| CAD for Interior Design/Advanced | ||
| Kitchen and Bath Design | ||
| Lighting/Interior Design | ||
| Green Building and Design Concepts | ||
| Construction Materials & Methods | ||
| Architectural Building Information Modeling I | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design | ||
| Total Credits | 68 | |
Interior Design Diplomas (D30220)
- Residential Interior Decoration Diploma and Home Staging (D30220-D2)
- Kitchen and Bath Design Diploma (D30220-D3)
Residential Interior Decoration Diploma and Home Staging (D30220D2)
The Residential Interior Decoration and Home Staging Diploma is designed to prepare students for various job opportunities in the field of residential interior decorating. The focus of the studies is technical knowledge, professional practices, and aesthetic principles.
Curriculum content includes residential interior design, architectural drafting, and computer-aided drafting/design. Also included are basic design elements, history of interiors and furnishings, color theory, graphic presentation, business practices, and general education courses.
Graduates should qualify for various jobs, including residential interior design, set design, showroom design, and sales positions for furniture, textiles, and accessories.
Careful planning should allow students to complete the diploma in three full-time semesters or six to seven part-time semesters.
For more information, please visit the Interior Design Program website.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Choose one of the following | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| DES 110 | Architectural Graphics | 2.0 |
| DES 120 | CAD for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 112 | Building and Construction Systems | 3.0 |
| DES 125 | Visual Presentation I | 2.0 |
| DES 130 | Digital Applications and Interior Design | 3.0 |
| DES 210 | Professional Practices for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 220 | Interior Design Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| DES 225 | Textiles for Interiors | 3.0 |
| DES 255 | History of Interiors and Furnishings I | 3.0 |
| DES 230 | Residential Design I | 3.0 |
| ART 115 | Art History Survey II | 3.0 |
| or ART 114 | Art History Survey I | |
| Select 3 credits from the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Color Theory | ||
| Principles and Elements of Design I | ||
| CAD for Interior Design/Advanced | ||
| Products | ||
| Kitchen and Bath Design | ||
| Lighting/Interior Design | ||
| Furniture Design & Construction | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Kitchen and Bath Design Diploma (D30220-D3)
The Diploma in Kitchen and Bath Design equips students with the knowledge, skills, and competence needed for working in this specialized design area. Coursework includes design basics; both computer-aided and manual drafting techniques; 3D computer modeling; kitchen and bath materials, products, and business practices.
Graduates should qualify for jobs with businesses that specialize in or relate to the design, sales, and installation of residential kitchens and baths.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Take one course | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Take one course | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| DES 110 | Architectural Graphics | 2.0 |
| DES 112 | Building and Construction Systems | 3.0 |
| DES 125 | Visual Presentation I | 2.0 |
| DES 120 | CAD for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 130 | Digital Applications and Interior Design | 3.0 |
| DES 210 | Professional Practices for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 220 | Interior Design Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| DES 235 | Products | 3.0 |
| DES 255 | History of Interiors and Furnishings I | 3.0 |
| DES 242 | Kitchen and Bath Design | 3.0 |
| WBL 111 | Work-Based Learning I | 1.0 |
| DES 243 | Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Interior Design Certificates (C30220)
Interior Design Certificate Specialization in Introduction to Interior Design (C30220-C1)
This certificate is available only to high school students enrolled in Career and College Promise.
| Major Requirements | ||
| DES 110 | Architectural Graphics | 2.0 |
| DES 125 | Visual Presentation I | 2.0 |
| DES 135 | Principles and Elements of Design I | 4.0 |
| DES 225 | Textiles for Interiors | 3.0 |
| DES 255 | History of Interiors and Furnishings I | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Interior Design Certificate Specialization in Professional Interior Design (C30220-C2)
Note: This course is intended for graduates of the AAS degree in Interior Design in order to acquire minimum number of credits to take the CIDQ exam.
| Major Requirement | ||
| DES 220 | Interior Design Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| Take 9 credits of the following: | 9.0 | |
| Color Theory | ||
| CAD for Interior Design/Advanced | ||
| Kitchen and Bath Design | ||
| Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design | ||
| Lighting/Interior Design | ||
| Architectural Building Information Modeling I | ||
| Architectural Building Information Modeling II | ||
| Survey of Architecture | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Interior Design Suggested Course Sequence
The following is the suggested plan for when to take each course to complete the Associate in Applied Science degree, based on the program requirements of the 2024-2025 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order upon consultation with your advisor. This plan is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with your academic advisor about the plan and any questions. This program might also offer diplomas or certificates; visit the catalog or contact the program for details. Visit the Academic Advising page for instructions on locating your assigned advisor: https://www.cpcc.edu/academics/academic-advising
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DES 110 | Architectural Graphics | 2.0 |
| DES 125 | Visual Presentation I | 2.0 |
| DES 130 | Digital Applications and Interior Design | 3.0 |
| DES 235 | Products | 3.0 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Term II | ||
| DES 135 | Principles and Elements of Design I | 4.0 |
| DES 220 | Interior Design Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| DES 255 | History of Interiors and Furnishings I | 3.0 |
| DES 112 | Building and Construction Systems | 3.0 |
| DES 120 | CAD for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| ART 115 or ART 114 | Art History Survey II or Art History Survey I | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term III | ||
| MAT 110 | Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | 3.0 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Term IV | ||
| DES 230 | Residential Design I | 3.0 |
| DES 240 | Commercial and Contract Design I | 3.0 |
| DES 225 | Textiles for Interiors | 3.0 |
| DES 280 | Codes and Standards/Interior Design | 3.0 |
| ENG 114 | Professional Research & Reporting or Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| Technical Elective | 2.0-3.0 | |
| You may have completed program certificate C30220-C1. Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Term V | ||
| DES 210 | Professional Practices for Interior Design | 2.0 |
| DES 231 | Residential Design II | 3.0 |
| DES 241 | Commercial/Contract Design II | 3.0 |
| DES 275 | Furniture Design & Construction | 3.0 |
| Technical Elective | 2.0-3.0 | |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Total Credits | 68-70 | |