Honours Bachelor of Interior Design
Fanshawe College
Key Information
Campus location
London, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 29,652 *
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
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* total program costs for Canadian students. $69,210.48 for international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Honours Bachelor of Interior Design degree program at Fanshawe College prepares students to encompass analysis, space planning, design, documentation, and management of interior construction, and alteration projects in compliance with regional, and national building codes, life-safety standards, and regulations. With an emphasis on creativity and design thinking, students prepare for a distinct profession with specialized knowledge related to human behavior theories, research, and technical, and project-specific design solutions.
Your Learning Experience
If you are passionate about designing spaces that nurture the physical, social, and psychological needs of a changing society, this four-year, CIDA-accredited program prepares students for an in-demand career in commercial, and residential design with professional interior design organizations.
Study problem analysis, concept development, design communication, lighting, acoustics, wayfinding, ergonomics, anthropometrics, technical working drawings, and specifications, and cutting-edge design technology within a nurturing, collaborative environment where you can share, and test your ideas. You’ll learn how to utilize innovative digital fabrication equipment to conceptualize (their) design parties, such as 3D printing, CNC fabrication, laser cutting, and more. You’ll also experience your designs using virtual reality technologies, learn to communicate, and share your ideas with future clients by practicing verbal, and visual presentation methods.
Interior designers focus on the planning, design, and detailing of interior space to improve the quality of people's physical environment. The four-year Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program covers both commercial, and residential design, providing comprehensive treatment of all facets of interior design including research, problem analysis, concept development, design communication, drawings, and specifications, technology, verbal, and visual presentation methods, construction, and business practice. The courses develop students' skills as creative designers who can formulate, propose, and execute creative design solutions for the physical, social, and psychological needs of a changing society. Principles of environmental sustainability and socially responsible design are embedded throughout the courses.
Apply your learning, and make industry connections during two co-op work semesters in entry-level interior design. Graduate career-ready, and prepared to make your mark on the world around you.
*The co-op term takes place after the third year and is 425 hours of paid work experience before the fourth year.
The Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program at Fanshawe College is recognized by the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO).
Laptop Requirements
Bachelor of Interior Design students are required to have a laptop for use in the classroom. The computer should meet or exceed the minimum system requirements to run the latest version of Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit. Please check Autodesk’s website for the minimum system requirements and specifications for the most recent software versions. Although a Mac will work in earlier years of the BID program, many students prefer a Windows-based PC, as Revit only operates on Windows. (Revit is introduced in the Winter term of 2nd year).
Admissions
Curriculum
Co-op Opportunities
The Bachelor of Interior Design program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand work experience in their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Bachelor of Interior Design students before even graduating!
Assistant Designer
Support Interior Designers with administrative duties, CAD work, materials acquisition, overseeing projects, and hands-on assistance in the creation of the vision.
Research Specialist
Source materials and design concepts to inform an upcoming project and make recommendations.
Project Specialist
Working closely with the client, utilizing CAD, health and safety protocol, and client criteria to achieve project targets.
For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op site or contact the Co-op Office.
Courses
Core Courses
Take all of the following Mandatory (Core) Courses: The Minimum Cumulative GPA for Core Courses is 2.5
Group 1
Level 1
- DESG-7035 ---- Interior Design Studio 1
- ENVR-7005 ---- Sustainable Practices 1
- DESG-7036 ---- Design Theory 1
- COMM-7023 ---- Design Communications 1
- INDS-7009 ---- Human Factors
Group 2
Level 2
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 2 requirement below
- DESG-7012 ---- Interior Design Studio 2
- ENVR-7006 ---- Human Environmental Relations
- DESG-7013 ---- Interior Detailing 1
- COMM-7013 ---- Design Communications 2
Group 3
Level 3
- DESG-7014 ---- Interior Design Studio 3
- DESG-7015 ---- Design Theory 2
- DESG-7016 ---- Interior Detailing 2
- COMM-7014 ---- Design Communications 3
- MATS-7002 ---- Building Technology 1-Lighting
Group 4
Level 4
- DESG-7017 ---- Design Studio 4
- COMM-7015 ---- Design Communications 4
- MATS-7006 ---- Building Tech 2-Mech and Safety
- MATS-7007 ---- Design and Material Culture
Group 5
Level 5
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 5 requirement below
- DESG-7019 ---- Interior Design Studio 5
- DESG-7020 ---- Interior Detailing 3
- HIST-7012 ---- Contemporary Design-Origins and Issues
- ENVR-7007 ---- Sustainable Practices 2
- COOP-1021 ---- Co-Op Educ. Employment Prep
- DESG-7018 ---- Case Studies in Design
Group 6
Level 6
In addition to the following mandatory courses, please refer to the Non-Core Level 6 requirement below
- DESG-7021 ---- Interior Design Studio 6
- BUSI-7002 ---- Professional Practices 1
- COMM-7016 ---- Design Communications 5
- DESG-7022 ---- Interdisciplinary Design Practices
Group 7
Level 7
- DESG-7023 ---- Interior Design Advanced Studio 1
- EDUC-7005 ---- Interior Design Thesis-Research and Prog
- DESG-7024 ---- Interior Detailing 4
- COMM-7024 ---- Design Communications 6
Group 8
Level 8
- DESG-7037 ---- Interior Design Advanced Studio 2
- MATS-7004 ---- Site Studies
- BUSI-7003 ---- Professional Practices 2
- EDUC-7007 ---- Independent Study Project
Group 9
Co-op Requirement
Students Must Complete 1 Co-op Work Term
- COOP-BID1W ---- BID1 Co-op Work Term
Non-Core Courses
Take all of the following Mandatory (Non-Core) Courses:
The Minimum Cumulative GPA for Non-Core courses is 2.0
Group 1
Level 2
- COMM-7018 ---- Professional Comm. in a Diverse World
Group 2
Level 5
- METH-7011 ---- Research Methods 1
Group 3
Level 6
- METH-7012 ---- Research Methods 2-Statistics
Group 4
General Education - Electives.
Take 6 General Education Elective Credits at the Introductory Level from two of the following subjects - Humanities (HUMA), Social Science (SOSC), Math (MATH), Science (PHYS), Global Culture (GBLC) - Normally taken in Levels 3 and 4
Group 5
Take 9 General Education Elective Credits at the Upper Level (Non-Introductory) - Normally taken in Levels 5, 6, and 7
Group 6
Take 6 General Education Elective Credits at either the Introductory or Upper Level - Normally taken in Levels 4 and 8
Program Residency
Students must complete a minimum of 39 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Apply human-centered design principles when designing the built environment to meet client needs;
- Prepare working drawings, and specifications for non-load-bearing interior construction, in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines, applicable building codes, and industry standards;
- Formulate preliminary space plans, and design concepts that integrate the client's program requirements, the principles of interior design, and theories of human behavior;
- Create design concepts across a range of sectors that reflect knowledge of historical precedents, decorative arts, architecture, related theories, and best practices;
- Synthesize principles of acoustics, thermal comfort, and lighting to achieve well-being, comfort, and performance within interior environments;
- Source, and recommend furniture, fixtures, equipment, and materials on the basis of their properties, and performance against defined criteria;
- Develop design recommendations that address functionality, and aesthetics, and meet global public health, safety, welfare, and environmental requirements, and sustainability guidelines;
- Specify colors, materials, finishes, furnishings, equipment, and lighting to appropriately convey the design concept, and to meet socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, and lifecycle performance requirements;
- Collaborate, communicate, and apply interpersonal skills to fulfill a leadership role on an interdisciplinary, multi-cultural design team;
- Communicate professionally through a variety of design communication mediums to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
- Follow standards of professional practice when managing a project, utilizing instruments of the design business such as contract documents, schedules, budgets, and specifications;
- Choose opportunities for constant renewal of skills, knowledge, and attitudes to ensure lifelong learning, and professional development;
- Generate creative ideas based on calculated risk-taking that result in innovative design solutions to meet client requirements;
- Interpret qualitative, and quantitative data to correctly identify problems, and offer comprehensive, evidence-based design (EBD) recommendations;
- Integrate the principles of Universal Design in all design projects, including those that focus on historic preservation, repurposing of space, and new construction.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Bachelor of Interior Design program are well-positioned to pursue careers as designers with interior design firms, architectural firms, or corporate institutions. They may also work as freelance designers or as architecture and design representatives with resource alliance suppliers. They will be able to design offices, hotels/resorts, retail spaces, institutional facilities, health care facilities, and residential settings.
The program incorporates an emphasis on sustainable practices giving graduates the creativity, visualization, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills needed to let their artistic ability shine.
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program:
Interior Designer
Create interior spaces that reflect clients’ needs and tastes and produce designs, plans, and drawings for construction and installation.
Design Assistant
Use rendering software to create floor plans and other assets to help clients visualize design concepts. Source, shop, and furnish the space.
Junior Project Designer
Support all phases of project detail from inception to post-installation. Be creative and passionate about workplace design and responsible for showroom duties.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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