Print Program Overview and Courses
Associate Degree: 2 Years, 68 Credits
Appleton Campus
Financial Aid Eligible
Career Opportunities
As an interior designer with a specialization in commercial design, you plan the arrangement of commercial spaces such as offices, hospitals and other interior spaces utilized by the public. You will plan spaces, specify furnishings, office work stations, materials, lighting and mechanicals using both hand drawing and computer design software. You are also responsible for calculations of materials, price quotes and sales.
Being mindful of green practices and products and universal design are essential in commercial design. Jobs include designers for commercial design retailers, architectural firms, sales representatives for office, hospitality, medical and facilities products and corporations as in-house designers.
Program Description
The Interior Design-Commercial Design program prepares students for a career in commercial design industry. This career deals with the specification and design of commercial spaces, those for the public. Courses include hands on projects for the preparation of construction documents such as developing a plan, creating working drawings, selection of conventional furniture or open office systems finishes and equipment. Project management of the commercial project is also studied.
Students apply their knowledge of materials, finishes, furniture, lighting and building construction through all phases of the design process. In addition, students further develop CAD skills necessary to produce project documentation and presentations for a comprehensive commercial design problem.
Program/Plan Admission Requirements
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Create a physical representation of interior design concepts to visually communicate the design scheme to the end user through space plans and elevation/perspective drawings and material and product specifications.
- Use interpersonal communication/listening skills to clearly and effectively present the design concept to meet the needs of the client.
- Provide project management services including preparing project budgets, developing schedules, and collaborating with other building specialists.
- Demonstrate knowledge of universal design and Green practices.
- Demonstrate the principles and elements of design when developing space plans, materials, furniture, and accent selections to meet functional, budgetary, environmental, and safety requirements.
- Manage a design from initial concept through professional proposal and sale of design concept to completed installation.
- Demonstrate confidence in decision making and uphold professionalism and ethical practices of the Interior Design field.
- Provide detailed drawings of commercial interiors to include: mechanicals and lighting using both hand drawing and computer-aided design software.
- Demonstrate knowledge of construction, mechanicals, and lighting.
- Specify materials and costs for projects.
- Demonstrate understanding of management principles, business plans, and project margins.
- Make selections for furniture, finishes, and equipment.
- Create lighting plans.
- Demonstrate the understanding of the implementation of textiles, styles, color theory, business principles, and sales principles.
Program Offered at This Location
- Appleton—1825 N. Bluemound Drive
Helpful High School Courses
Classes in business, mathematics, psychology, English, art, architectural drawing, computer aided design, and housing and interior design will help you to enter this program.
Contact Us
For additional information, visit our department website at www.fvtc.edu/interiordesign.
For additional program/admission information, View Program Plan.