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Careers to Consider: Interior Design

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Image of interior design items: floor plans, color samples, photos

This article is part of a series spotlighting HFC academic and workforce programs leading to great careers. To view all HFC programs, visit this link.

HFC’s award-winning interior design program is one of the finest interior design programs at a community college in Michigan.

Our program offers you the knowledge, technical skills, and professional presentation techniques necessary for a rewarding career in the field of interior design. You will be able to harness your personal style and passion to bring your designs to life and gain the foundation to pursue career options or continue your education at a 4-year college or university.

If you're interested in specializing in kitchen and bath design, our Kitchen and Bath certificate is one of two National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)-supported programs in Michigan. You will be prepared to take the NKBA certification exams, compete in national student design competitions, and start a career in the kitchen and bath industry.

Classes and career options

The interior design program emphasizes theoretical, practical, and technical skills in the interior environment. Course work includes environmental psychology, architectural and interior construction materials, lighting and environmental systems, and studio classes.

You will also learn about building codes, sustainability, and energy conservation. You will gain graphic, oral and written communication, and presentation skills. You will develop a broad range of computer skills including Computer Aided Design (CAD).

You will learn and/or improve your skills in:

  • Drawing
  • Model-making
  • CAD
  • 3-D modeling
  • Project management
  • Communication
  • Presentation skills

The first class in HFC’s interior design program is INTR 120: Manual Architectural Drafting for Interior Designers. Here is the recommended sequence of classes for the graphic design program and the general education requirements.

We always recommend you talk to one of our friendly, expert advisors to make sure you are on the right track.

Some of your career options include:

  • Interior Designer
  • Architectural Draftsperson
  • Color Consultant
  • Facility Manager
  • Residential Designer
  • Sales Representative (Commercial Furniture Showroom, Home Furnishing, Manufacturer’s Representative)

A degree in interior design can be applied to many different working environments, including:

  • Architectural firms
  • Engineering companies
  • Private practice

What you will learn

After graduating from this program, you should be able to:

  • Produce 2-D and 3-D schematic construction drawings employing technical manual and computer-generated architectural drafting skills.
  • Exhibit artistic 2-D and 3-D visual communication and presentation skills, conveying interior environments through perspective drawing, sketching, rendering, and model-making.
  • Exhibit proficient written communication skills essential to conveying aesthetic concepts, specifications, installation instructions, and programming documents.
  • Professionally present aesthetic and functional design solutions for small-scale commercial and residential projects that meet user physiological, sociological, and psychological needs and its impact on environmental, energy, and economic issues.
  • Create a professional-quality student design portfolio to successfully enter a career in the interior design industry or pursue a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year educational institution.

Transfer agreements with several universities

The HFC interior design program is designed as a transfer bridge to a bachelor’s degree program. HFC has many official agreements with schools such as:

  • College for Creative Studies
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Oakland University
  • Wayne State University
  • Purdue University – Fort Wayne

Interior Design Program Coordinator Chad Richert is working on transfer agreements with several more universities. You can transfer to any 4-year college or university after graduating from the interior design program.

For questions or more information, contact Richert at 313-845-9814 or crichert@hfcc.edu.

Related content: Careers and Classes to Consider series