Kitchen and Bath Specialty Certificate

Learn about kitchen and bath design materials, rendering and more

Program facts

Credit hours: 44
Stackable to degree: Yes
Potential job outcomes: Kitchen and bath designer, interior design assistant

Develop an understanding of the kitchen and bath aspects of interior design with this 44-credit-hour certificate program. Take classes in the areas of interior design studio, materials and sources, interior perspectives and rendering, interior detail/construction drawing, architectural lighting, kitchen and bathroom design studio and more.

All courses are led by skilled instructors who are experts in their fields and well-respected in the interior design industry. You’ll get hands-on experience working in Harper Colleges’ design rooms, which are equipped with drafting tables, displays, a lighting lab and kitchen cabinetry.

Credit earned as part of this program can be applied to the Interior Design AAS Degree.

Certificate program requirements

Program Overview

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This 44 credit-hour certificate program is designed to give students the opportunity to benchmark their progress through the Interior Design program. Upon completion, students will be qualified to become employed in the kitchen and bath design field.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

Required:

Number	Course Title	Credits
ARC 116	Architectural CAD I	3
Description: Introduces computer hardware and state-of-the-art software as applied to applications in architecture, interior design and other related fields. Develops understanding of basic parameters for design and drafting technologies: entity creating and editing, printing and plotting, and file/data management. Projects are correlated primarily to architectural design issues. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ART 121	Design I	3
Description: Introduces students to skills fundamental to two-dimensional visual organization. Explores elements such as line, shape and color, and principles such as unity, balance and variation. Provides a foundation for all areas of art and design. IAI ART 907 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 100	Theory and Fundamentals of Design	2
Description: Introduces students to theoretical principles and nomenclature of design. Studies theories pertaining to elements and principles of design, color theory, psychology and color phenomenology as it relates to interior design. Studies human environment, proxemics and spatial behaviors. Examines universal design, designing for specific cultures and genders as well as other topical subjects. Covers the interior design profession, professional organizations and career employment. Recommended Corequisite: IND 101. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 101	Interior Design Studio I	3
Description: Studies interior design room arrangement and furniture selection. Investigates the elements and principles of design as they relate to interiors. Studies aesthetic aspects of interior design. Develops interior projects using space planning, furniture selection, the development of furniture elevations, and presentation techniques. (NOTE: Students will need to purchase a drafting kit in addition to textbooks.) Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in IND 100. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 102	Interior Design Studio II S	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Continues the study of interior space planning and furniture selection as it relates to a functional and aesthetic interior. Investigates the use of fabric, finishes, color, and texture to complement the interior. Explores aesthetic application of color in interior design. Prerequisite: IND 101, IND103, and IND 106 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 106	Materials and Sources F	3
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Studies the construction and finishing of materials other than those of a structural nature, including limitations, quality control, application, uses, installation methods, and quantity calculations. Examines sources available to the designer. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 107	Interior Perspective and Rendering S	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Studies drawing and sketching methods of furniture and interior spaces. Develops drawing techniques for interior perspective views of buildings. Explores the use of axonometric drawing and the use of various medias to present the three-dimensional delineation of interior design. Examines balance and proportions of interior items within a three-dimensional space. Uses drawing techniques and color to define light and shadow, textures, material characteristics. Prerequisite: ART 121, IND 100 and IND 101 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 110	Problem Solving /Design Communication S	2
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Introduces the process of visual communication for interior designers. Identifies interior and architectural challenges and examines the design process of problem-solving through space analysis and planning. Utilizes collaborative methods to develop appropriate design strategies and solutions. Applies research and the use of elements and principles of design to skillfully manipulate interior spaces. Utilizes conceptual sketching and oral presentation to communicate design solutions. Prerequisite: IND 100 and IND 101 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 114	Codes for Interior Designers S	2
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines how interior building codes, governmental standards and federal regulations affect and are applied to interior design. References the International Codes, National Fire Protection Association standards and various accessibility requirements including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Prerequisite: IND 101 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 116	Interior Detail /Construction Drawing S	3
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Studies the methods and materials of interior construction and the graphic methods of communicating this information. Practices fundamental drafting conventions and develops drawing skills necessary for the production of working drawings such as floor plans, elevations, sections, finish schedules, reflected ceiling plans, and details. Discusses methods of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC distribution. Prerequisite: ARC 116, IND 100 and IND 101 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 203	3-D Design Studio F	3
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Studies advanced problems in three-dimensional interior design which concentrate on the development of relationships of interior furnishings, walls, floors and ceilings into a unified design. Applies principles and elements of design theory within a three-dimensional volume of space. Prerequisite: IND 102, IND 107, IND 114 and IND 116 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 206	Architectural Lighting F	3
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Examines artificial and natural lighting in interior design. Considers environmental comfort, effects on colors and information required for selection and placement of luminaires. Reviews lighting sources, sustainability, energy codes and human performance. Acquaints students with lighting documentation and calculation methods as they relate to the lighting design process. Prerequisite: IND 101 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 207	Interior Design Internship	3
Description: Provides an opportunity for selected students who meet the prerequisite requirements to work with professionals in approved residential and contract design firms, retail stores, wholesale stores and showrooms specializing in interior design and related products. Students are exposed to various aspects of the interior design field and must present a report about their experience. Recommended preparation: ENG 101 or ESL coursework, or testing equivalency. Prerequisite: IND 203, IND 206 and IND 230 with grades of C or better; or consent of program coordinator. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 230	Kitchen Design Studio F	3
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Examines the technical aspects and accessibility issues of designing kitchens. Practices fundamental drafting conventions including lettering, line work, dimensioning and symbol usage. Develops drawing for the kitchen including floor plans, electrical and lighting plans, elevations, and cabinet sections using NKBA guidelines and graphic presentation standards. Prerequisite: IND 102, IND 114 and IND 116 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 232	Kitchen and Bath CAD Studio U	3
Description: This course is only offered in the summer term. Covers an introduction to kitchen and bath industry software techniques for two-dimensional space planning and interior elevations. Introduces 3-dimensional CAD to develop perspectives and walk-through of interior spaces. Emphasis is on the development of computer graphics to augment and represent kitchens, baths and other interior space. Prerequisite: IND 230 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
IND 233	Bathroom Design Studio S	2
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines the technical aspects and accessibility issues of designing bathrooms. Practices fundamental drafting conventions including lettering, line work, dimensioning and symbol usage. Develops drawing for the bathroom including floor plans, electrical and lighting plans, elevations and cabinet sections using NKBA guidelines and graphic presentation standards. Prerequisite: IND 102, IND 114 and IND 116 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025

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Next steps

For more information about this Kitchen and Bath Certificate program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.