What is Interior Design?
From National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), the definition of Interior Design: "Interior Design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell, and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals."
Why do I need a degree to practice Interior Design?
Over the years interior design has evolved into a separate and distinct discipline requiring expertise and skills different from other professions. Interior designers have become key participants in the total design process. Educating practitioners providing interior design services contributes to the public health, safety and welfare. Without formal education and a degree, it will be difficult for you to attract clients or obtain employment in the field.
What kind of degree do I earn at ACC?
ACC awards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Interior Design. ACC is accredited by North Central Association (NCA), the same agency that accredits CU, CSU, Metro and the other community colleges and universities in this region. Therefore, the credits you earn at ACC can be transferred to other schools throughout Colorado and the United States.
How long will it take me to earn this degree?
For a full time student, we recommend a minimum of 7 semesters to complete the program; part-time and evening students will take longer.
Where are design classes held?
The majority of the interior design classes are held at the ACC Art & Design Center located at the corner of Prince and Alamo in downtown Littleton. It is within walking distance of the Main Campus. Downtown Littleton is one block away with its quaint shopping and eating establishments in every price range.
Where do I park?
There are several options for parking at the Art & Design Center. There is a student parking lot (Lot J) to the south of the complex. A special parking pass (approximately $9 per semester) is required to park in Lot J or any of the other campus parking lots, some which are closer to the Main Campus. If you ride Light Rail, there is a stop directly across the street. There is limited street parking around the facility, but it is not recommended.
What sort of instruction will I receive?
All instructors in our program are hired on the basis of their educational credentials and years of field experience. All are successful practitioners and respected members of the design community. Many are members of professional organizations such as ASID, IIDA, NKBA, AIA, USGBC, and CIDC. Some have achieved national recognition and others are published authors. We are a learning-centered program. Class time is spent almost entirely in instruction through lectures, demonstrations, A/V Presentations, skills practice, and student work critiques. Although this means that most of your projects and homework are done outside of scheduled class hours, this approach does ensure that you get the instruction and feedback you need to meet the high performance standards set by the curriculum. In addition, Internship (IND280) provides field experience and the opportunity to explore various job types within the profession before graduation.
What does the program prepare me to do?
The curriculum includes both theoretical knowledge and practical training that prepares you for entry-level employment in the profession immediately upon graduation.
How difficult is the program?
We set high standards for performance, and earning high grades requires your commitment to a rigorous education. You can control your workload by the number of credits you take each semester. For each hour of in-class time, you can expect, at a minimum, to invest two hours of time outside of class doing homework.
Can I attend part-time or a night?
Yes! Courses are scheduled to accommodate those students who can't attend full-time or during the day. Evening classes usually start at 6:00 p.m. In addition, some General Education courses are offered as hybrid classes while others can be taken online. Hybrid classes usually only meet once a week while online courses have no face-to-face time. None of the Interior Design classes are offered as hybrid or online. There are no minimum credit requirements per semester.
Do I need an art or technical background?
No, we don't assume that you have had any prior exposure to art, design, drafting/CAD or computers. Our curriculum begins with fundamental courses, which teach you the basic skills and knowledge needed in this program.
How much will my Interior Design education cost?
Fulltime students can expect to spend approximately $1500 per semester for tuition, fees, textbooks, computer discs, and other course supplies.
Where do I obtain books, equipment and supplies?
The ACC Bookstore, located on the first floor of the Main Campus building, sells the textbooks. Supplies and equipment can be purchased at local art and drafting supply stores.
Is the ACC program respected by the Profession?
With more than 300 students enrolled in the program, we are one of the largest programs in the Rocky Mountain region. Most of our students enroll on the advice of professionals and alumni. Our students have been recognized locally and nationally for two decades. Recently our students and our program have made a strong presence on the national scene:
What is the status of the interior design job market?
Interior design work is tied to the state's economy; the availability of jobs goes up and down with it. At this time, Denver and other metropolitan areas in Colorado are growing, so the job market for Interior Designers is expanding and healthy.
What are the job opportunities after graduation?
Interior design, kitchen and bath, hospitality, architecture, facilities management, wholesale and retail sales, healthcare, lighting, home furnishings, home building, and real estate are only some of the professions and industries that hire our graduates. IND 108, Profession Survey is designed to familiarize you with employment opportunities. Our graduates are employed throughout the Rocky Mountain region, on both coasts and in several other states. IND 178, Design Resume and IND 278, Design Portfolio prepare you for the job-hunting process.
What starting salary can I expect?
This will necessarily depend on the type of job you obtain and the quality of the work in your portfolio. On average, graduates in their first year of full time employment can expect a starting salary of $24,000 to $30,000 per year. Income usually climbs steadily as you gain field and project experience. For example, a recent NKBA salary survey showed that certified Kitchen and Bath designers average $87,000 a year. Upon completion of the Interior Design program at ACC, graduates are eligible to take the AKBD exam and with documented experience, they can sit for the Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer test.
What is NCIDQ?
"Protecting the public by identifying those individuals who are competent to practice interior design." - NCIDQ mission statement.
What is the purpose of the NCIDQ?
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification serves to identify to the public those interior designers who have met the minimum standards for professional practice by passing the NCIDQ examination. The Council endeavors to maintain the most advanced examining procedures, and to update continually the examination to reflect expanding professional knowledge and design development techniques. It seeks the acceptance of the NCIDQ examination as a universal standard by which to measure the competency of interior designers to practice as professionals.
What are the eligibility requirements to take the NCIDQ examination?
The criteria includes both interior design education and actual interior design experience as follows: