skip navigation 1-800-4-ALFRED (425-3733)

Interior Design

Print PDF

AAS Degree – Code #0656

Elizabeth Joyce, Program Coordinator
Email address: joyceeb@alfredstate.edu

The AAS interior design program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the interior design discipline. The program consists of a core graphics sequence with additional courses in appropriate technical areas. Digital tools are integrated throughout the four-semester program.

Advantages

  • The faculty consists of experienced interior designers, as well as licensed architects and engineers.
  • Students develop the ability to think creatively, visually, and volumetrically, exhibiting a variety of ideas, approaches, and concepts when designing interior projects.
  • Students gain an understanding of how design solutions affect and are impacted by construction systems, power and mechanical, lighting and ceiling systems, acoustics, building methods, materials, and regulatory requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Think creatively, visually and volumetrically, exhibiting a variety of ideas, approaches, and concepts when designing interior projects.
  • Understand and utilize color principles, theories, and systems in design projects.
  • Demonstrate competent design skills in selection of interior finishes, layout of furniture, lighting, and decorative elements.
  • Demonstrate understanding of ergonomics and the relationship between human behavior and the built environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the history of art, architecture, interiors, and furnishings.
  • Apply 2- and 3-dimensional design principles and elements in the development of the spatial envelope.
  • Demonstrate programming skills, including identifying the problem, client and user needs, and gathering and analyzing information.
  • Demonstrate competence in manual and computer-aided graphic presentation of interior design projects.
  • Express ideas clearly in oral presentations and critiques, and communicate clearly in writing concept statements, reports, and research.
  • Understand that design solutions affect and are impacted by construction systems.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Alfred State interior design graduates may enter directly into the technology management BBA or the interdisciplinary studies BTech degree program.

Continuing Education Opportunities

An articulation agreement exists between Alfred State and Villa Maria College (with placement based on a portfolio review and an interview).

Career Opportunities

  • Interior designer (after successfully passing the NCIDQ and completing internship requirements)
  • Kitchen and bath designer
  • Space planner
  • Product showroom manager
  • Product specifier
  • Manufacturer's representative
  • Facilities manager

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 60 percent are employed; 40 percent continued their education.

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Required: Algebra, Geometry

Recommended: Algebra 2

Typical Program

In the first and second years, a typical day consists of two one-hour lectures and a two-hour studio. Students can expect to spend additional time working on projects and course work out of studio.

General Notes

Entry level of student into math and composition/literature sequences is a function of student’s high school preparation and mathematics and English placement examinations.

A minimum grade of “C” is required in the following courses to continue from one studio course to the next and to meet graduation requirements: ARCH 1184, ARCH 2394, ARCH 3104, and ARCH 4304. 

Graduation Requirements

A student must successfully complete all courses in the prescribed program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0.

Required Equipment

All students in both the architecture and interior design programs are required to purchase a computer in addition to other equipment. Typically, the costs of these purchases can be covered using financial aid. Please consult a financial aid counselor for further details.  A tier 3 laptop computer is required, and a tier 4 laptop computer is recommended, for students entering this degree program.  Laptop specifications are available at www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Interior Design - AAS Degree

TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

ARCH 1184 Design Fundamentals 1 4
FNAT 1303 Architectural History I 3
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3
XXXX xxx3 Gen. Ed./LAS Elective (NS) 3
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
      16

Second

COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3
DSGN 1433 Furniture & Finishes 3
ARCH 2394 Design Fundamentals 2 4
ARCH 2014 Computer Visualization 4
MATH xxx3 Gen.Ed. Elective/Math 3
      17

Third

DSGN 2204 Interior Design I 4
DSGN 1443 Color, Lighting and Acoustics 3
ARCH 3014 Construction Technology 1 4
FNAT 1313 Art History 3
SPCH 1083 Public Speaking 3
    OR  
SPCH xxx3 Effective Speaking Equivalent 3
      17

Fourth

DSGN 2304 Interior Design II 4
ARCH 4014 Construction Technology 2 4
ARCH 4013 Municipal Codes & Regulations 3
BUAD xxx3 Business Elective 3
      14