BFA in Interior Design

While earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, you’ll build empathy and problem-solving skills to support design thinking and explore the function, aesthetic appeal, and user experience of interior environments. Through learning experiences that emphasize place-making and human-centered design, you’ll be immersed in a studio culture that addresses local and global design challenges through a diverse range of project typologies, including residential, workplace, education, healthcare, and hospitality. At the same time, your explorations will expand your knowledge of design, digital and analog drawing and rendering, and industry software.

You’ll round your education out with a wide range of general education and art history courses that will stimulate your curiosity, broaden your perspective, and inspire new creative expressions. KCAD’s flexible General Education Pathways model empowers you to direct your learning by exploring subjects you find most engaging and relevant.

You’ll graduate from the Interior Design degree program prepared to start working in the field of interior design and able to take the first steps toward certification. By using the fundamental design process, you’ll be able to identify clients’ needs and challenges, develop programming for projects, plan and create effective layouts for commercial and residential design, research and select materials and furniture, and design custom details. With frequent informal critiques and formal project presentations you’ll build confidence to communicate your design ideas at a professional level (verbally and visually).

Along the way, you’ll explore the business of interior design, sustainability in the built environment, building codes and industry regulations, lighting design, and color theory. Your skill set will include collaborating effectively in design teams, developing critical thinking, and practicing a human-centered design approach while using a combination of analog sketching and industry standard software.

KCAD’s Interior Design program has been continuously accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA - formerly FIDER) since 1974 and has a consistently high professional placement record among its alumni. Our faculty have over 60 years of combined expertise as working designers and deep ties to the West Michigan design industry - that means you’ll benefit from a rich history that serves as a framework for a contemporary design curriculum. What’s more, KCAD’s location in the heart of the contract furniture industry has fostered strong industry relationships that enable opportunities for design and research professionals to share their knowledge and experience with you.

In addition to your course work, you’ll gain knowledge of the profession through field trips, internships, and educational experiences involving interior design, architecture, and furniture companies. Our emphasis on building strong fundamental design skills allows students opportunities in wide ranging design careers.

As a graduate of the Interior Design program, your versatile skill set will prepare you for a variety of careers. As a student, you’ll be eligible to take the Interior Design Fundamental Exam (IDFX), the first part of the three-section NCIDQ exam that’s recognized in North America as the qualifying exam for the interior design profession. You’ll emerge from the program well positioned for professional success. Careers include:

• Residential Interior Designer
• Kitchen and Bath Designer
• Commercial Interior Designer (Workplace, Retail, Hospitality, Education, and more)
• Healthcare Designer
• Contract Furniture Designer
• Lighting Designer
• Design Consultant | Project Manager
• Manufacturer’s Representative (Sales)