Interior Design Program

The three-year Interior Design advanced diploma program prepares you for a future in the interior design industry. This program not only helps you become a valuable member of a design team, but also gives you life skills that go well beyond the world of design.

Each semester, your main studio courses teach you how to develop conceptual designs for residential and commercial spaces, how to represent designs in 2D and 3D using a broad range of architectural drawing programs, and how to communicate design intentions using construction drawings.

In your project work, you'll incorporate building code, sustainability, accessibility, lighting, textiles, furniture, colour, and ergonomics. Although selection of finishes is part of what we do, this is not a decorating program.

Full Description

At George Brown College, our focus is on people-centred design, and we believe in nurturing creativity through education. While you don't need a portfolio to join us, a strong enthusiasm and passion for design are essential. We'll handle the teaching—you bring the curiosity!

Interior design listens, empathizes, learns, creates, excites, and educates. Design is everywhere and affects everyone, and it is part of our everyday shared experiences.

Interior design involves the integration of concepts and ideas, light fixtures, materials, textures, furniture, and other elements to create innovative interior spaces that are functional and meet all required codes.

In the three-year Interior Design advanced diploma program, you'll develop a thorough understanding of interior design theory, concept application, and technical drawing.

Using a conceptual approach, you'll design for retrofits, renovations, and new construction in studios with the most up-to-date equipment and software. For these studio projects, you'll communicate the technical aspects of building interiors by developing plans, elevations, sections, renderings, and 3D models.

As a graduate, your area of specialization might include, but is not limited to:

• interior design
• interior design technology (2D and 3D computer drawing)
• bathroom and kitchen design/build
• project management
• architectural software (rendering and modelling)
• product manufacturer sales
• specification writing

Note: If you enrol in the program in January, you must complete semester 2 in the summer (May to August) of the same year in order to continue into semester 3 in the fall.

Computer requirements: We are a PC-based program and currently require you to use: Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, and Vray. Gaming computers are a good choice to meet the program's requirement, and we recommend a laptop for in-classroom use. For exact specifications, please speak to your first year CAD professor after starting the program.

Career Options

Opportunities for Interior Design Technologists vary within the AEC industry. Career options available to graduates of this program may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• junior interior designer
• computer-aided technical and presentation drawings and modelling  
• technologist with builders, architectural and interior design firms
• technical representative for building/equipment suppliers 
• specification Writer
• project coordinator
• design and colour consultant for builders and retail outlets
• staging for real estate and film industry

Graduates of this program will be interior design technologists who, with experience and a government Building Code Identification Number, will be legally able to design interiors of buildings.

You may work independently as a self-employed interior design technologist or interdependently as part of an interior design or multidisciplinary architectural or building development team.

With experience and ongoing professional development, graduates will be able to enhance their professional competence and expand their scope of work.

There are employment opportunities in the interior design industry, government and public organizations, with careers in the design of building interiors and systems, fittings and furnishings, staging, preparation and interpretation of material specifications and drawings, sales and marketing, purchasing operations, field and customer service and management of interior design projects.

Alumini Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.