Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a Professional Interior Designer do?
2. What Do I Need to Get Into the Interior Design Program?
3. What Are The Requirements of The Entrance Portfolio?
4. May I start the program in the Winter semester?
5. May I take the program on a part-time basis?
6. What is an Applied Degree?
7. May I Transfer Courses from Another Institution?
8. If I Do Not Get Into the Program This Time Around, Are There Courses I Could Take That Would Count Towards the Degree?
9. How can I Improve My Drawing Skills for Completing the Entrance Assignment?
10. Numbers that count.

1. What does a Professional Interior Designer do?
   For the purposes of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the professional Interior Designer:

• Analyzes the client's needs, goals, and life and safety requirements;
• Integrates findings with knowledge of interior design;
• Formulates preliminary design concepts that are appropriate, functional, and aesthetically pleasing;
• Develops and presents final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media;
• Prepares working drawings and specifications for non-load bearing interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures and equipment;
• Collaborates with other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical, and structural design;
• Prepares and administers bids and contract documents as the client's agent; and reviews construction process for compliance to the contract.

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2. What Do I Need to Get Into the Interior Design Program?
   In order to be eligible for the program, you must have completed a high school diploma with five courses at the 30 level and an overall average of 60% or higher and no grade below 50%. Two of these courses must be English 30 with a grade of at least 65% and a pass in Math 30 Pure. Please see admission requirements in the college calendar: high school standing, post-secondary standing, and mature students. If a graduate of a recognized Interior Design program, please contact the Interior Design department at 403.440.5143.

You must also complete a series of drawing, abstract composition, and written assignments that comprise an entrance portfolio. The assignment will be mailed to you at the close of the application deadline. (Applications to the college are accepted between December 1 and February 28.) You will have approximately six weeks to complete the portfolio. The portfolios are reviewed by the Admission Committee for completeness and potential for success in the program. The final selection of students for entry into the fall semester is usually made by the end of May. Applicants will be notified in late May regarding their acceptance to the program.

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3. What Are The Requirements of The Entrance Portfolio?
   The assignments have been designed to test your potential for success in a program that requires strong visualization and communication skills, awareness and aptitude for design, as well as the ability to analyze and to follow directions. Exercises focus on writing, drawing, and basic composition skills.

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4. May I start the program in the Winter semester?
   The Interior Design program always commences in the Fall semester. Because of the constructed nature of the curriculum, courses only occur once throughout the year, and are not repeated from semester to semester. As such, all courses must be taken in their designated sequence after the necessary prerequisites have been successfully completed. This includes all Directed Field Studies courses.

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5. May I take the program on a part-time basis?
   The Interior Design curriculum has been carefully constructed so that theory and studio work are interrelated and reinforced with courses in the same semester. Therefore, courses must be taken in their designated sequence from semester to semester. If a student wishes to lessen their workload, they are advised to take Arts and Science requirements outside of the core interior design courses.

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6. What is an Applied Degree?
   An applied degree is eight semesters of study that includes six semesters of academic course work and two semesters of work experience. It is a credential offered in the Province of Alberta that combines theory and practical skills relevant for today's workplace. Graduates of the Applied Degree Program in Interior Design will receive a Bachelor of Applied Interior Design.

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7. May I Transfer Courses from Another Institution?
   Once you have been admitted to Interior Design, you may apply for advanced standing in courses which have an equivalent at Mount Royal College and which satisfy our program and general graduation requirements.

Please see the calendar for graduation requirements.

Credit courses that you have taken previously and that are specific to the design field, must be reviewed and approved by the Interior Design Department. Please contact the Department of Interior Design & Art History at 403.440.5143.

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8. If I Do Not Get Into the Program This Time Around, Are There Courses I Could Take That Would Count Towards the Degree?
   Courses which count towards the Applied Degree and which are open to all students are listed in the next column:

INDS 3309 - History of Interiors
English 1101 or any 1100 level or higher
6 Arts and Science Options which could include three of the following:
ARTH 1101 - History of Art and Architecture I
ARTH 1103 - History of Art and Architecture II
ARTH 2205 - Art & Architecture of Canada
ARTH 2205 - Art & Architecture of Canada
ARTH 2207 - Currious Narratives: Provocative Themes in Art Explored
ARTH 3310 - History of Modern Art from 1850 to 1920
ARTH 3309 - Modern Architecture
ARTH 3311 - History of Modern Art from 1920 to today
ARTH 3313 - Impressionism: Art, Leisure & Society
ARTH 3315 - Art & Ideas
Other Arts and Science Courses can be selected from any of the areas. (See the Calendar for this information.)

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9. How can I Improve My Drawing Skills for Completing the Entrance Assignment?
   We advise several things:

1. Purchase a sketchbook and an HB pencil.
   Try to draw familiar, simple objects.
   Analyze basic shapes, forms, proportions, lines and textures.
   Draw what you "see" not what you "know" about the objects.
   Draw 15 to 20 minutes a day.
2. Read some books on drawing and try some of the exercises they provide. Two books we recommend are:
   Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
   Design Drawing by Francis Ching
3. Enrol in a credit-free drawing course that emphasizes basic drawing skills: line quality, proportion and perspective. To date, Mount Royal College offers a credit-free course entitled "Perspective Drawing". This would provide a good start for graphically recording your environment.
4. Find a drawing mentor who would be willing to critique your work.

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10. Numbers that count

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