Certificate Programs

Residential Interiors

Residential Interiors encompasses a wide variety of skills and interest areas in interior decoration. From courses that focus on the history of interiors to studios that focus on lighting and residential design, a range of courses at the Boston Architectural College provide the opportunity to develop your skills in the art of decoration. Courses may be taken individually, or applied to the Residential Interiors Certificate Program.

Courses from the Residential Interiors Certificate may transfer into the Interior Design, or other degree programs at the BAC. Please contact an advisor in Continuing Education at 617.585.0101 or ce@the-bac.edu regarding the specifics of transferring courses from a certificate into a degree program.

Residential Interiors Certificate
Interior Decorators are increasingly being called upon to understand the complex functions of the residential environment and to translate that understanding into a design aesthetic. The Residential Interiors Certificate prepares you for career opportunities in the design field from working in a retail setting to starting your own business.

Eleven Required classes

Drawing for Interior Decorators
Course Number: VSC154
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: None
This drawing course introduces students to the basic skills of graphic representation for interior decorators. Students will learn how to use basic drafting tools, take field dimensions, and draw to scale. They will develop the ability to understand and draw plans and elevations, and will be introduced to rendering, model building, perspective and orthogonal drawing. This class will include a field trip to sketch furniture and interiors.

Interior Decoration Introductory Studio
Course Number: SAC112
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Drawing for Interior Decorators.
This studio explores the elements and principles of design, and provides the opportunity to begin designing and planning an interior space. Further develop your drafting skills acquired in Drawing for Interior Decorators within this introductory studio environment. Through lectures and hands-on studio projects, you will be introduced to an overview of the design process including needs assessment, concept development and programming, schematic drawing, and space planning, as well as furniture, finishes and material selection. With the opportunity to develop these skills and improve your presentation techniques, this course will prepare you for more advanced studios in the Decorative Arts/Residential Interiors and Kitchen & Bath Certificate Programs.

Residential Interiors Studio
Course Number: SAC444
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Interior Decoration Introductory Studio for Decorative Arts and Residential Interiors Certificate students.
This studio expands upon concepts introduced in the Interior Decoration Introduction Studio. Challenge your residential design skills within the dynamics of the studio environment, and sharpen your expertise in residential interior planning, furniture selection and procurement, window treatments and fabric selection. As the scope of your decorative project deepens in this studio, students will build on their graphic and oral presentation skills, and gain a better understanding of the business of residential interior decoration.

Materials, Finishes, Resources
Course Number: VSC323
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Drawing for Interior Decorators
Through lectures, demonstrations and field trips, students will be introduced to materials, finishes and resources for residential interiors. They will learn about various materials as well as the availability and suitability of different materials for specific uses.

History of Interior Design and Furniture
Course Number: HT325/HT7325
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: None
The history of interior design and furniture encompasses numerous styles, movements, and individual artistic contributions. It also reflects the influence of cultural, political, and social developments. A basic understanding of this history is important for the professional interior designer who may often look to the past seeking inspiration. This class will entail the study of a progression of historical interiors, styles, movements and furniture. Each will be examined for their inherent qualities and contributions in order to more fully understand the role of history in contemporary practice. Site visits to regional collections may be arranged to meet the class schedule.

Color Theory in Practice for Residential Interior Decorators
Course Number: HT227
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: None
Everyone loves color! It is a key ingredient to any successful residential interior, thus the practicing interior decorator must have a thorough understanding of it and its relationship to form, space and light. They must understand the emotional implications of color. This course will teach fundamental color theory so that the decorator can apply those principles in their design process to not only satisfy the client’s wishes but to also create a pleasing, functional and safe environment. Beyond the theory, the student will learn about color trends – where do they come from and what makes some a classic and others a passing fad. They will learn how to step out of their personal color comfort zone and enlarge their range of color palettes and preferences. The student will learn how to be more observant of colors that surround them and why they work. Students will learn about specifying interior paints – why different applications require different products. Practical application will be taught through numerous projects, lectures and field trips.

Residential Lighting
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Interior Decoration Introductory Studio for Decorative Arts and Residential Interiors Certificate students.
This nontechnical introductory studio focuses on residential design. Topics include light sources, fixture selection, color rendering, and analysis of lighting installations and controls. The course will explore various areas of the home and their particular requirements for light. Field trips may be included.

Business Practices for Decorators
Course Number: TMC125
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Interior Decoration Introductory Studio for Decorative Arts and Residential Interiors Certificate students.
Through this class, students will develop their own business plans for private practice and retail options as decorators. Business fundamentals and state and federal requirements will be covered, along with general accounting, marketing, leasing, and personnel requirements. Guest lecturers, field visits, and class projects will focus on preparing students for ownership and management of a decorating business.

Example of Advanced Studio Elective:

Furniture Design and Construction For I.D.
Course Number: SAC446
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Drawing for Interior Decorators and Interior Decoration Introductory Studio
“It is the furniture that makes the architectural space into a useful and personal place where human activities can take place with comfort and convenience. Most westerners think of an interior as the sum of its furnishings. For the designer, therefore, the selection and design of furniture is a key activity.” (Pile, 2007) This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of furniture design and construction.By learning about furniture design and construction, the student will know how to evaluate the function, structure and materials, cost, and aesthetics of furniture and will be prepared to design pieces of furniture for their projects. This knowledge and ability will allow the future decorator / designer to specify, recommend, select and design furniture for clients with confidence based on this new information and hands-on experience as contrasted to a simple “it looks good.” Through research, analysis, drawing, modeling, and design we will explore furniture and its functions; furniture and technology and materials; furniture and fabrication processes and workmanship; and furniture and the environment. Also included will be discussions of furniture as related to social status, cultural links to time and place, politics and economics, aesthetics, and personal statement.

Example of Design Media Elective:

Autocad I: Residential Interior Documentation
Course Number: VS652
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Drawing for Interior Decorators and basic computer skills.
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and operation of two-dimensional computer-aided drafting. Designed specifically for students in the Residential Interiors and Kitchen and Bath Certificate Programs, as well as working professionals who want to learn CAD drafting for residential interiors applications, students will learn the process required to draft interior rooms: elevations, floor plans, sections and details. In addition, they will learn how to dimension drawings and how to plot and print documents.

Example of General Elective:

Residential Interiors for Lifetime Living
Course Number: HT326
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: None
As a designer, you make a difference in your clients’ lives by creating attractive and functional living spaces. But your design goal should go one step further—to create a living space that allows your clients to live independently and safely through all phases of their lives. This course introduces you to the design principles, guidelines and practices for lifetime residential living spaces. It takes you beyond good design practices to understand life issues—the implications of normal aging, chronic illness and disabilities. You will learn about products, materials, and communication strategies, and complete design projects for specific client cases. At course end, you will understand the importance of incorporating lifetime living design strategies into your everyday design process—and have the knowledge to do it. Course emphasis is on kitchen and bath design. Drawing is not required for this class; written and illustrated projects are acceptable to demonstrate an understanding of the assignment.

Please consult the BAC Continuing Education Catalog for current semester offerings and tuition information.

For further information, contact us at ce@the-bac.edu or use the Request Information link.

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