Interior Design

Interested high school students should complete a year of geometry, two years of algebra and two years in art-related areas (drawing, sculpture, photography or related areas). Mechanical drafting or Computer Assisted Design is also advantageous.

Students are required to satisfy placement at the time of admission. Students identified as needing developmental coursework must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses prior to enrolling in courses required by the degree program.

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.

To qualify for the A.A. degree in Interior Design, a student must complete a minimum of 64 credits as prescribed, and attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average).

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.

The primary goal of the program is to teach students to be imaginative, responsible and knowledgeable interior designers. Within the context of the multi-disciplinary learning environment of the Architecture, Design and Construction Department, students develop, explore and apply the broad intellectual, visual and graphic capacities required to compete successfully in the challenging and rewarding field of interior design.

The curriculum and faculty are dedicated to providing each student strong design and technical experiences early in his or her education. The Interior Design program is built upon a sequence of design studios. It is here that design fundamentals are acquired, and technical, historical and theoretical concepts are synthesized and applied. Students increase their spatial visualization capabilities and are guided in developing a design process and a personal creative vision. At the same time, they learn to work as part of a design team. The design projects are organized to build aesthetic understanding, technical abilities, sensitivity to human needs and awareness of the social consequences of design decisions.

At the College, the study of interior design reflects the diverse, evolving roles and responsibilities of the design professional. The program provides a broad liberal arts education, drawing upon art, science, humanities, social science and the history of architecture and interior design. This is the vital foundation that leads to the ability to produce lasting, beautiful and functional design work.

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• Use critical thinking and/or analytical skills to solve specific space planning and interior spaces design problems that synthesize human, ergonomic, technical, historical, cultural and theoretical concepts in two and three-dimensional form and space and that integrate lighting, color, textiles and furniture arrangements into interior design projects.
• Communicate design intent effectively: 
  1. Orally,
  2. In writing,
  3. By producing design drawings utilizing freehand drawing, manual and computer drafting
  4. By producing three-dimensional analog and computer models that convey design intentions.
• Identify common finish materials, related interior products, and furniture employed in the interior environment.
• Create and analyze design solutions that take people, built context, human culture, and history into consideration, addressing design as a complicated interaction of these conditions.