Interior Design: Bachelor of Interior Design
Description
The Interior Design Program provides four years of full-time study (September – April), to students wishing to pursue a professional career in interior design and related environments.
The Program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) at the first professional degree level. CIDA is an international agency whose mission is to "lead the interior design profession to excellence by setting standards and accrediting academic programs." The mission of KPU’s Interior Design program is "educating leaders for the profession of interior design".
The Interior Design Department regularly upgrades its program to meet the ever changing needs of the industry.
We work closely with the professional design community and respond to the needs and advice of that community through the following:
- Provide an education that includes all facets of interior design with emphasis on experience and skills in theory, research, critical analysis, problem-solving, design concepts, working drawings and specifications, technology, presentation media techniques, professional business practices and procedures, and awareness of human needs in interior design and related environments
- Prepare students for work in interior design and/or architectural offices
- Provide a practical and theoretical knowledge base that conforms to the definition and practice of interior design as described by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and as endorsed in the North American definition of an Interior Designer
- Provide education in developing career readiness
The Interior Design program simulates a professional design environment. This "virtual design studio" offers integrated courses and curriculum, and emphasizes learning outcomes and essential skills throughout. These include: leadership skills, problem solving and creative thinking skills, teamwork, personal management, writing/oral/visual and interpersonal skills, reading and research skills, visual literacy, mathematical and technological skills, citizenship, and an ability to view issues through a global perspective. For a breakdown of our streams and courses, please see kpu.ca/design/interior-design/courses.
Interior Design information sessions are scheduled each fall in order to answer questions from prospective students and to allow applicants to view entry portfolios of current students. These sessions have been of great benefit to those interested in entering the program. Please visit kpu.ca/events to confirm dates, times and location.
For more information on the Interior Design program, you may view our department web site at: kpu.ca/interiordesign.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
- English 12 with a minimum B (or equivalent)
- Portfolio Review and Interview Session*
* Successful applicants will receive an invitation to the required Portfolio Review and Interview session.
During the portfolio and interview process, faculty members evaluate each applicant for suitability for admission.
Admission decisions to this program are based on interim grades therefore proof of grades must be submitted in accordance with the following deadlines:
- Applicants currently in high school must submit interim grades no later than March 31st with proof of final grades required as soon as they become available (no later than August 15th).
- Applicants currently taking English preparatory courses must submit interim grades by March 31st with proof of final grades required by April 30th.
- Applicants currently attending another post-secondary institution must submit a final official transcript and a Request for Transfer Credit form by March 31st.
- For all other applicants, proof of having met the program's English proficiency requirement must be provided by March 31st.
Any applicant who has not submitted proof of grades by the specified dates will be removed from the list of eligible applicants.
Portfolio Review and Interview
Faculty will review the eligibility of candidates based on the contents of the portfolio and results of an interview (including prior learning assessments).
For detailed information about Interior Design as well as the interview and portfolio review process visit the department's website at kpu.ca/design/interior_design/portfolio.
Program Requirements
Effective September 2013, students admitted to the Interior Design program in Fall of 2012 must complete Years 2 through 4 requirements as noted below.
The Interior Design program requires the completion of 128 credits of coursework. Students may take their general education and non-discipline specific courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term. Many general education courses are offered during the summer semester.
Please note, prerequisites for most Studio courses require a minimum grade of C+.
Year 1
Semester 1
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 1113 | Studio 1 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 1121 | Materials | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 1135 | Design Awareness 1 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 1141 | Technical Drawing 1 | 3 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
Semester 2
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 1202 | Studio 2 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 1221 | Components | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 1235 | Design Awareness 2 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 1241 | Technical Representation 2 | 3 credits | |
| ENGL 1100* | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
* Note: Completion of ENGL 1100 (or an approved writing intensive course at the 1100 level or higher) is required before entering Year 2.
Year 2
Semester 3
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 2300 | Studio 3 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 2325 | Building Systems 1 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 2331 | Design Theories 1 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 2345 | Drawing and Rendering 1 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 2375 | Environmental Human Factors | 3 credits | |
Semester 4
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 2400 | Studio 4 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 2425 | Building Systems 2 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 2431 | Design Theories 2 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 2445 | Drawing and Rendering 2 | 3 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
Year 3
Semester 5
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 3500 | Studio 5 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 3525 | Building Systems 3 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 3531 | Design Theories 3 | 3 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
Semester 6
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 3600 | Studio 6 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 3625 | Contract Documentation | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 3635 | Design Theories 4 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 3692 | Major Field Studies | 2 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
Year 4
Semester 7
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 4001 | Senior Studio 1 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 4720 | Advanced Design Studies 1 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 4785 | Professional Practice 1 | 3 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
Semester 8
All of: |
|||
| IDSN 4002* | Senior Studio 2 | 4 credits | |
| IDSN 4061 | Professional Experience | 1 credit | |
| IDSN 4820 | Advanced Design Studies 2 | 3 credits | |
| IDSN 4880 | Professional Practice 2 | 3 credits | |
| Approved elective (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
| Approved elective numbered 3000 or greater (see Electives below) | 3 credits | ||
* Note: A minimum grade of C+ is a graduation requirement.
Electives
For the Interior Design program, the following general education requirements must be met:
- 3 credits ‐ English 1100: Introduction to University Writing; or an approved writing intensive course at the 1100 level or higher
- 24 credits of elective courses from outside the core academic discipline and from approved disciplines (see list below)
- 3 credits at the 3000/4000 level from approved disciplines
General Education Courses must be selected from at least three different academic disciplines (in addition to the required English course) and must include a minimum of six credits from the Faculty of Arts and 3 credits from Sciences (see list below). General Education courses taken at other institutions may be transferred for equivalent or unassigned credits.
Disciplines for Elective Courses
(any courses in the following subjects)
| Faculty of Arts | Faculty of Science |
|---|---|
|
|
- Quantitative Courses: list of courses that are approved to meet the quantitative requirements for KPU credentials.
-
General Liberal Education Electives: List of courses that are considered General Liberal Education electives. Except the following:
- Fashion & Technology (FASN)
- Foundations of Design (FIND)
- Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA)
Other Information
The third year of the program includes Major Field Studies as part of the curriculum requirements and the cost of travel is borne by the student.
The Interior Design program is delivered in an e-mobile environment which means students lease a laptop and all curriculum is housed online. Students need to include "fee for service" costs of the laptop and requisite course software for the duration of the 4 year degree program (approximately $1,200 each year). Students are advised not to purchase a laptop computer as all required equipment, software and services will be supplied by KPU through this service.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Interior Design.
This Bachelor degree, followed by two cumulative years of work experience in the profession, qualifies graduates to write the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. This in turn, allows professional membership in the Interior Designers' Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC), the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), and various international interior design associations.
