Interior Design Curriculum
Saddleback College offers an interdisciplinary Interior Design curriculum providing multi-level, accredited courses that prepare students with the competencies required to enter the Interior Design profession.
Associates of Science Degree: Interior Design
The Interior Design Associate of Science (AS) degree provides students with a comprehensive professionally-focused academic foundation to pursue multiple careers in interior design. Students will receive a strong background in design and color theories, history of interior architecture and furnishings, space planning, lighting, materials and products, building systems and codes, design process, manual and computer-aided design and visual communication. They will acquire technical skills, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and
practical applications necessary to obtain various entry-level positions in the interior design field. The Interior Design AS degree is part of a stackable sequence of awards and requires completion of the Level II certificate program and Saddleback College general education requirements. This is a high unit major due to industry requirements for employment therefore the combination of the major units and general education required for this degree may take longer than two years to complete.
Employment opportunities include design assistants for residential and model home designers, color or lighting consultants, CADD specialists, 3D renderers, e-designers, design journalists, space planners, or interior design positions as part of a larger design team. Students who complete the Interior Design AS degree will meet the minimum required units and
educational standards established by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) for eligibility to sit for the Interior Design Certification Exam (IDEX), the first step towards pursuing a qualification as a Certified Interior Designer (CID).
The Associate in Science Degree will be awarded after completion of the Level II certificate program and a minimum of 60 units including the total number of units described above and the General Education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate of Science degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.
2022-23 Catalog information about Interior Design Associate of Science degree
Certificates of Achievement, Level I - Interior Design Foundations
The Level I - Interior Design Foundations certificate is designed to develop the fundamental skills necessary for entry-level employment in interior design-related fields. Level I curriculum focuses on exploring design elements and principles, color theories, history of interior architecture and furnishings, materials and products, developing visual communication skills using freehand and computer-aided drawing and drafting, and acquiring knowledge of the design process. This certificate provides the foundation for going on to advanced certificates and the AS degree in interior design. Entry-level positions include design consultants and sales specialists in design showrooms, furniture and finishes stores, interior decorators, color specialists, manufacturer's representatives, event planners, and home stagers. The program coursework for professional improvement.
2022-23 Catalog information about Level I - Interior Design Foundations Certificate of Achievement
| ID 110 | Fundamentals of Interior Design of Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 112 | Drafting for Interiors | 2 |
| ID 114 | Applied Color & Design Theory for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 133 | Sketching and Rendering for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 115* | CAD for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 118* | Digital Presentation for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 111* | Interior Design Studio I | 3 |
| ID 116 | Interior Materials & Products | 3 |
| ID 122 | History of Interior Arch & Furnishings I | 3 |
| Total 26 Units | ||
*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.
Certificates of Achievement, Level II - Interior Design
The Level II - Interior Design certificate builds upon the Level I coursework to prepare students for employment as entry-level designers. It includes knowledge of design and color theories, interior design history, lighting, space planning, materials and products, building systems, and codes. Students acquire skills in manual and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), rendering, visualization, and presentation and practice developing interior design solutions for residential and commercial environments. Employment opportunities include design assistants for residential and model home designers, color or lighting consultants, CADD specialists, 3D renderers, e-designers, design journalists, space planners, or interior design positions as part of a larger design team. Students who complete the Level II certificate will meet the minimum educational requirements set by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) for eligibility to sit for the Interior Design Exam (IDEX), the first step towards pursuing a qualification as a Certified Interior Designer (CID). This program prepares students for the Level III - Interior Design Professional certificate and the A.S. degree in Interior Design and also offers coursework for professional improvement.
2022-23 Catalog information about Level II - Interior Design Certificate of Achievement
| Level I | Level I Courses (see above) | 26 |
| ID 125 | History of Interior Architecture and Furnishings II | 3 |
| ID 121* | Space Planning | 3 |
| ID 131* | Digital Visualization for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 132* | Interior Building Systems and Codes | 3 |
| ID 126* | Interior Design Studio II | 3 |
| ID 127* | Fundamentals of Lighting | 3 |
| Total 44 Units | ||
*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.
Certificates of Achievement, Level III - Interior Design Professional
The Level III - Interior Design Professional certificate builds upon the Level II coursework to prepare students for employment as entry-level professional Interior Designers. It includes knowledge of interior design theory and history, space planning, products and materials, design process, professional practice, and building systems and codes. Students improve computer-aided design, visualization, and communication skills, prepare portfolios, develop design solutions for specialized interior environments, and gain practical experience via internships within the Interior Design field. Employment opportunities include entry-level professional interior designers, CADD specialists, renderers, or designer positions in larger design teams with architects and builders. Students who complete the Level III certificate will meet the minimum required units and educational standards for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Exam (NCIDQ), the first step towards pursuing a qualification as an NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer, the global standard for interior design professionals. This program also offers coursework for professional development.
2022-23 Catalog information about Level III - Interior Design Professional Certificate of Achievement
REQUIRED CORE:
| Level I & II | Level I & Level II Courses (see above) | 44 |
| ID 128* | Business & Professional Practice for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 129* | Interior Design Portfolio | 1 |
| CWE 180* | Co-Op-Ed Interior Design | 1 |
| ID 134* OR | Advanced CAD for Interior Design | 3 |
| ID 136* | Revit for Interior Design | 3 |
| Select one course from Restricted Specialization Studio Electives | 3 | |
| Select from Restricted Electives | 5-6 | |
| Total 60-61 Units | ||
Restricted Specialization Studio Electives (select 3 units):
| ID 210* | Hospitality Design | 3 |
| ID 214* | Bath Design | 3 |
| ID 215* | Kitchen Design | 3 |
Restricted Electives (select 5-6 units):
| ID 123* | Interior Design Illustration | 3 | |
| ID 134* £ | Advanced CAD for Interior Design | 3 | |
| ID 136* £ | Revit for Interior Design | 3 | |
| ID 210* £ | Hospitality Design | 3 | |
| ID 214* £ | Bath Design | 3 | |
| ID 215* £ | Kitchen Design | 3 | |
| CWE 180* | Co-Op-Ed Interior Design | 1 | |
| ARCH 124A | Architectural Drawing I | 4 | |
| ARCH 231 | LEED and Sustainable Architecture | 3 | |
| ARCH 261 | Orange and San Diego Architecture | 1 | |
| ARCH 262 | Los Angeles Architecture | 1 | |
| BUS 105 | Social Media Marketing | 3 | |
| FASH 31 |
|
3 | |
| HORT 7 | Introduction to Landscape Design | 3 | |
| HORT 239 | Feng Shui and Well Being | 2 |
*Course has a prerequisite, co-requisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description in the catalog.
£ If course not already used for Required Core or Restricted Specialization Studio Electives units.
Information about INTERIOR DESIGN COURSES (2022-23 Catalog)
Certificate Completion
Certificates may be completed at any time and an application for Certificate completion may be filed in Admissions & Records during the semester during which the final courses are being completed.
Course work
A minimum of 12.0 units of certificate coursework must be completed at Saddleback College.
Waivers
Course work from other institutions may count towards a Certificate of Achievement if a waiver is obtained from the course instructor.