Residential Design Certificate Program

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Harcum College now offers the Main Line’s first Residential Design Certificate Program, offering men and women the fundamental principles of designing and decorating residential interior spaces. 

Students will learn how to read and draw floor plans, select fabrics, finishes, furniture, lighting, paint and accessories.  Through this program, students will be able to design rooms from conception to completion. Discovery of personal taste and style evolve as students progress. Using creative problem solving, they will learn how to transform a room into a welcoming environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

All courses are taught by professionals and educators working in the field of interior design, architecture and art.  Small classes allow for individualized instruction.  Students will participate in field trips to local businesses, furniture stores, showrooms, and design firms.  All courses are conveniently offered in the evenings and on Saturdays.  The certificate can be completed in two to four semesters.

Requirements for completion of the Residential Design Certificate Program:  Successfully complete six required Residential Design Courses and one elective. (Courses do not have to be taken in sequence.)  Residential design courses are also open to non-certificate students for personal enrichment.

Class runs January 17, 2012 - March 7, 2012:

Classes begin February 28, 2012:

One Day Workshops:

Course Descriptions:

DESIGN I :  This course is an introduction to drawing methods (including drafting) required for a designer to communicate their design ideas.  Students will learn how to read and develop floor plans, elevations, and sample boards to convey their concepts.  Throughout the semester, students will work on several small residential projects and will be critiqued by professional designers in the field.

COLOR AND IT'S IMPACT :  Students will study basic theories of color and its affect on emotions, appetite, vision, and human behavior.  Creating color Harmony in Interiors will be explored through the study and application of analogous and complementary paint colors.  The class will build a strong color awareness that can be applied to their design projects.  Field trips to local businesses and homes scheduled.

FABRICS, FINISHES, AND MATERIALS:   This course will provide an introduction and understanding of the selection of Fabrics, Finishes, and Materials used in interiors on Furniture, walls, floors, window treatments and accessories.  Students will also be introduced to "Green Design" and study environmentally friendly fabrics and finishes.  A visit to the Marketplace Design Center is scheduled for this course.

LIGHTING FOR THE HOME:   Students will focus on the basics of lighting to enhance the impact of their designs.  They will learn the fundamentals of task, ambient, and direct lighting.  Projects will address designing and solving lighting challenges in any given space.  Emphasis will be on creating mood and atmosphere through lighting design. Course includes field trips to Lighting Design Centers.

FURNITURE STYLES & APPLICATION:   This course will provide an overview of furniture styles.  The students will become familiar with both design elements and quality in furniture and be able to identify and recognize both. Projects will include the selection of furniture for room designs and mixing furniture styles to achieve a collected sense of style.  Course includes field trip to Sheffield's Furniture.

ART & ACCESSORIES FOR THE HOME:   This course focuses on the art of accessorizing.  Homes should be visually pleasing and emotionally satisfying.  Incorporating a personal sense of style is important in any room and can be achieved through special tricks and touches.  Students will explore ideas for creative accessorizing and share them with the class.  Projects will include visits to several students' homes and a trip to the Marketplace Design Center.

BUSINESS PRACTICES: This course will cover the various aspects of business practices for the interior design professional, including business formation, business structure, legal terminology, business forms, billing, ordering, contracts and liabilities. Topics will include ethics, trade relations, and client-contractor-designer relations. Students will create a Business Plan and a Letter of Agreement. Guest speakers to include Professional Designers who own, operate and manage a Design Practice.

KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN: This course will explore what goes into designing the perfect kitchen and bath. Learn about the newest equipment, finishes, and materials. Culminating with space planning the perfect kitchen and bath.

CHANGE YOUR SPACE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE: This course introduces and delves into the principles of “Feng Shui”, emotional psychology and environmental design that leads one’s life toward contentment, happiness and success. Make corrections to your space, and those changes will act as a catalyst to spark positive changes in your life. Hence, change your space, change your life.

FREEHAND DRAWING FOR INTERIOR DESIGN: This course will provide an introduction and understanding of the value of “on-site” sketching. An important tool designers use to communicate their ideas, and concepts. Learn the basics of drawing a one point perspective, quick sketching techniques, and the tools that can make a project come alive.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Introduction to basic camera handling, image composition and manipulation. To enhance your photography you will learn to use the popular software Photoshop Elements.

Workshops
How to Create a “Green” Sustainable Home: In this workshop discuss the Do’s of how to create an
energy saving home. How to plan a sustainable, earth friendly project using “green” finishes and materials.

Home Staging: This workshop discusses the principles of furniture layout, and the aesthetics that go into successfully selling a home.

Transforming a Space Through the Use of Color: Learn the basics of how color can enhance the mood
of a room, and how color awareness can be applied to every project. Discuss paint types, selections, and fin-
ishes and the impact they all make in a room.

Creating Your Business Website: Learn the basics that go into creating your website. Capturing an audience is a critical part of any business . Learn what goes into designing your website and how to bring it live.
The Business of Interior Design: Learn the basics of starting your own design business. Discuss what goes into getting that business off the ground.

The Do’s and Don’ts of ID’s Contracts: In this workshop discuss the “nitty-gritty” of the Interior Design Contract. Discussions on how to protect yourself, your client and your business.

How to “BUY” as a Designer: This workshop discusses the basics of purchasing as a designer. Learn how to purchase wholesale and use the jargon of the trade in making those purchases.

Introduction to Specifying Window Treatments: Learn the basics of specifying window treatments. This workshop will discuss window treatment styles, fabrics and how to specify the right window treatment for the right application.

Students who complete the Certificate program may enter the field of Design as an assistant to a Residential Designer, sales representative for the home furnishings industry, home staging for the real-estate industry, retail furniture sales, and as a decorator.

For more information please contact:

Heidi Techner
Program Director for Interior Design
610-526-6095
htechner@harcum.edu  

or

Patricia Ahlqvist
Art and Design Liaison
610-526-6087
pahlqvist@harcum.edu

Learn more about Harcum's two-year Interior Design degree program.