Interior Design

Turning Your Decorating Vision into Spatial Designs

In the Interior Design program, you will learn how to plan a building layout; choose style and color palettes; select furniture, floor and window coverings; and determine lighting schemes for interior spaces. You will explore traditional and contemporary design styles; guidelines for using lighting and color; freehand, digital, technical and presentation drawing; design of space, color, texture; techniques for implementing clients’ wishes; legal and ethical considerations; and methods for communicating your ideas to clients and colleagues. The core courses you take together with Construction Management, Computer-Assisted Design, Facility Management and Architecture students will help you relate skills and specializations from various fields. Our experienced, supportive faculty will work with you to assemble a portfolio or website that showcases your abilities.

This program leads to the Associate in Arts degree in Interior Design, with graduates prepared to transfer to baccalaureate institutions. However, after graduation from the Community College of Philadelphia, students may choose to enter the work force as junior or assistant designers, or as materials librarians.

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Furniture Finisher – est. salary $37,441
Interior Designer – est. salary $63,343*
Set and Exhibit Designer – est. salary $62,636

 

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Transfer Opportunities

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Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Interior Design degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
3 credits A grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 is required for ENGL 102 Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
MATH 137 - Geometry for Design or higher 3 credits (MATH 017 with a grade of "C" or better) Recommended for transfer: MATH 161, MATH 162 Quantitative Reasoning
ADC 101 - Introduction to Design and Construction 3 credits   Technological
Competency
ADC 103 - CAD Basics 3 credits   Technological
Competency
ADC 109 - Design Studio I 4 credits   Major Course
  • This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program after earning their associate’s degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) or
HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - United States History: The Civil War and the 19th Century or
HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century and Beyond or
HIST 103H - United States and Pennsylvania History: The 20th Century (Honors) 
3 credits

Recommended Social Science and Humanities electives that fulfill the College General Education requirements for 3 credit hours in each: an American Diversity/Global Diversity Studies course, an Interpretive Studies course, and a Writing Intensive course

Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
ADC 159 - Design Studio II 4 credits  Prerequisites: ADC 103 & ADC 109 Major Course
ADC 160 - Presentation Techniques 3 credits Prerequisites: ADC 103 Major Course

ART 105 - Drawing I

3 credits  

Oral Communication/Creative Expression
Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
EASC 111 -Earth Science 3 credits   Scientific Reasoning
ADC 163 - Architectural Visualization with Autodesk Revit  or
ADC 212 - Construction Materials and Detailing: Methods or
ART 106 - Drawing II or
ART 111 - Three-Dimensional Design I or
ART 125 - Design I or
ART 126 - Design II or
3 credits Students must choose (2) of (7) Electives.
Recommend choices should be based on intended transfer institution.
Advising by ADC faculty recommended.
ADC 221 and 260 offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite for ART 106: ART 105 
Directed Elective (1 of 2)
ADC 209 - Design Studio III 4 credits Prerequisites: ADC 159 & ADC 160 Major Course
ADC 221 - History of Architecture and Interiors 3 credits Meets fall only. Prerequisite: ENGL 101 Major Course
ADC 260 - Advanced Presentation Techniques 3 credits Prerequisites: ADC 160 and ADC 209 which may be taken concurrently or ADC 163 which may be taken concurrently Major Course

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ADC - 176 Philadelphia History: Architecture and Planning 3 credits   Humanities
ADC - 222 History of Architecture and Interiors II 3 credits   Major Course
ADC - 192 Color and Lighting 3 credits   Major Course
ADC 112 - Construction Materials and Detailing: Properties or
ADC - 212 Construction Materials and Detailing: Methods or
ADC 163 - Architectural Visualization with Autodesk Revit  or
ART 106 - Drawing II or
ART 111 - Three-Dimensional Design I or
ART 125 - Design I or
ART 126 - Design II 
3 credits Students must choose (2) of (7) Electives. Recommend choices should be based on intended transfer institution. 
Advising by ADC faculty recommended.
ADC 222 offered in Spring Only
Prerequisites for ART 106: ART 105  
Directed Elective (2 of 2)
ADC - 259 Design Studio IV 4 credits   Major Course
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

* Students must complete ADC 101 and ADC 103 to meet the Technological Competency requirement.
** Students should select Mathematics and Science courses at CCP that correspond with the requirements of the institution to which they intend to transfer.

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