The College of the Canyons Interior Design program prepares students for employment and also prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions to earn a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. The program’s versatile curriculum provides students with skills to meet the changing demands and economic conditions of the industry.
The Interior Design Program offers Three Certificates and one Associate Degree:
• Interior Decorating: Merchandising Certificate of Achievement
• Interior Design: Set Decorator Certificate of Specialization
• Interior Design: Certificate of Achievement
Potential areas for employment include:
• Interior Designer • Interior Design Consultant • Interior Decorator • Decorating Consultant • Certified Kitchen Designer • Color and Materials Designer • Commercial Interior Designer • Director of Interiors • Interior Design Coordinator
What is an Interior Designer
Interior designers are creative, imaginative and artistic. They are disciplined, organized and skilled business people. Combining knowledge with aesthetic vision, interior designers work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are safe, functional, attractive, and meet the needs of the people using the space. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, interior designers of all types are nearly four times as likely to be self-employed, often as residential interior designers, as are other specialty professionals. Many find rewarding work in small firms of one to five employees.
What is an Interior Decorator?
An interior decorator selects and purchases home furnishings for clients as an employee for a retail store, or may be self-employed as a decorator. The following are employment opportunities available to an interior decorator:
Retail Sales Person for:
• Floor Covering • Art • Window Treatments • Accessories • Light fixtures • Textiles • Indoor and Outdoor Furniture • Wall Coverings
Showroom Representatives for:
• Accessories • In-door and Outdoor Furniture • Textiles manufacturers •
Decorative Plumbing Fixtures • Soft Floor Covering • Decorative Light Fixtures •
Hard Surface Covering
What is a Set Decorator?
Once sets are built and painted, or the location is chosen for a film, television show or commercial, the Set Decorator's job is to fill out the environment by selecting furniture, drapery, lighting fixtures, art and other objects to dress the set.”
Set decorators:
• Meet with the Production Designer, Producer/Director and other filmmakers regarding the design and decoration of the project
• Break down the script, sets, and locations, organizing the objects to be acquired and tasks to be accomplished
• Research period and style, providing inspiration appropriate for each project
• Analyze characters and [the story] in order to layer the environments and bring them to life
• Oversee the dressing of the sets in preparation for shooting
• "Open" each new set with the Director, making any adjustments needed
Interior Design Certificate of Achievement and A.S. Degree The Certificate of Achievement allows you to work as a:
• Model home designer • Junior residential designer • Sales representative for textiles
and other similar vendors • Self employed entrepreneur in interior design
How does one become a “certified” Interior Designer?
Completing an Interior Design Associate of Science Degree prepares students to take the California Certification exam soon after graduation. For additional information on the requirements for the California Interior Designer certification requirements refer to the California Council for Interior Design Certification at www.ccidc.org. This organization provides the standard for interior designers in the State of California.
Keys to Success as an Interior Designer
Interior design is a service profession; therefore, success depends on the ability to satisfy clients in the following areas:
• Artistic and Technical Requirements • Interpersonal Communications •
Management Strategies
What more information?
For more information about the College of the Canyons Interior Design program, visit the college's Interior Design website here or call 661-362-3989.