Student Profile Ammie Hurst

Graduate Profile Shelley Flower

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Residential or commercial interior designers, architectural work, CAD operators, product designers, draughtsperson or renderers, visual merchandising designers, product resource librarians, showroom assistants, colour merchandise consultants and buyers, restoration work and sales representatives.

ACADEMIC PATHWAYS
Graduates have gone onto study: Lincoln University, Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing); Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Interior and Architecture.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Portfolio and interview.

INDIVIDUAL COURSE COMPONENTS
Theory and principles of interior design, design process, critical analysis, three dimensional design, merchandising, product knowledge, ergonomics, building construction, perspective/technical drawing, soft furnishing, textiles, design history, drawing, digital communication, laws and regulations, business skills.

Academic Year One
Academic Year One involves an in-depth study of design theory while introducing students to design concepts and developing practical skills. Examination of market trands are explored, technical planning of room designs are carried out and the use of specialist materials is researched.

An analytical and strategic approach to presenting a design solution is encouraged mainly through the design process, critical analysis and interior design modules. Problem solving skills are considered an important and integral element of the course. Students research leading design movements and the work of influential designers. The students apply this knowledge as they interpret real-world client briefs, coordinating, managing and presenting their own design solutions.

Freehand and perspective drawing, technical drawing/draughting skills and illustration techniques are developed extensively. The digital communication component provides students with the opportunity to gain proficiency in the industry standard 2D and 3D CAD software.

Students gain an understanding of how furniture and soft furnishings enhance an environment while learning the techniques and methods of construction. A general overview of building construction widens the students’ appreciation of how design elements can be practically applied. An understanding of textiles, their manufacture and styles, as well as their use in practical design is also incorporated into the course.

Academic Year Two
The final year consolidates the learning of the first year while introducing new modules. The aim is to integrate all aspects of interior design to enhance the students’ overall design solution and its viability.

The produce knowledge course builds students’ understanding of design materials and their merits, the options available and how to source specific products. Past and present architectural styles are examined in design history, and laws and regulations introduces a range of legal requirements, standards and codes that students need to adhere to in the creation of a safe and healthy environment.

Students continue to develop their drawing and rendering skills while producing plans and drawings in two- and three-dimensions. Developing the students’ ability to use ArchiCAD software in their computer aided design work is a substantial part of the course. This focus on CAD ensures students emerge with skills needed to best portray their design and create virtual scenes.

Students begin to express their appreciation of the social, cultural and psychological aspects of design and how to relate them to a client’s needs. For example, technical aspects of commercial interiors that meet retail requirements are covered; ergonomic study gives students the opportunity to design to fit the human body, while in 3D design, this awareness is combined with form and function.

Preparation for success in the real world is stepped up with components that provide the seemless integration into the workforce. Industry visits to textile factories, design studios and manufacturing processors are just some examples. The business skills component introduces the basic accounting, business and marketing skills needed to run a business. Portfolio creation and the year-end exhibition ensures that students work can be showcased to industry representatives and the public.