Interior Design and Interior Architecture
Create Beautiful Spaces, Build a Rewarding Career
Interior Designers are creative business professionals with the ability to innovatively solve complex design problems both functionally and aesthetically, while enhancing the overall health, safety, and welfare of users through quality design. We view space as our 3-dimensional art that has the ability to create an emotional response, and we shape what that response is through our designs. Our program empowers students to make a lasting impact on their current and future communities by equipping them with education, experience and skillsets necessary to communicate visually and verbally using creative and technical proficiency, and ethical responsibility. We prepare our students professionally, personally, and academically to quite literally change the world.
Our program prepares students to excel in various sectors of the industry, including residential design, commercial design, sustainable design, home construction, and other areas of specialization. It is fundamentally important to us that our students can communicate in 2 different ways: what clients need to see, and what contractors and sub-contractors need to see. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to provide students with methods of communicating in both of those ways and also meets the evolving needs of the field. We put a high emphasis on fostering professional and personal growth, equipping students with the confidence to practice Interior Design and Interior Architecture.
- Global Perspectives and Human-Centered Design: Student work demonstrates an understanding of design within a local, regional, and world context and how design needs may vary in cultural and social groups with different economic means. Students also understand various levels of human-centered design and theories.
- The Design Process: Student work demonstrates understanding and ability to apply aspects of the design process to creative problem solving to generate and execute creative design solutions.
- Communication: Students apply a variety of communication techniques and technologies appropriate to a range of purposes and audiences.
- Professionalism and Business Practice: Students use ethical and accepted standards of practice, are committed to professional development and the industry, and understand the value of their contribution to the built environment.
- Core Design Components: Students understand historical design, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space and form, color, furniture, fixtures, equipment and finish materials (FFE).
- Systems and Sustainability: Students have knowledge of building systems, lighting, acoustics, and sustainability and understand methods to improve the health, safety, and welfare of users through design.
- Technology: Students learn about and utilize a variety of industry software to design and create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional designs, products, and presentations.
Studying Interior Design and Interior Architecture can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including the following:
- Interior Design Firms
- Architecture Firms
- Facilities Planning and Design
- Corporate Design and Dealerships
- Healthcare, Education, and Transportation Design
- Hospitality, Retail, and Exhibit Design
- Home Builder and New Home Construction
- Property Management and Design
- Real Estate and Staging
- Manufacturer's Sales Representatives
- Sport, Stadium, and Lighting Design
- Product and Textile Design
Kirkwood is the affordable option. We have more than $3 million in scholarships available every year!
Iowa's Only 2-year Interior Design and Interior Architecture Degree
Kirkwood’s immersive program is the only 2-year Interior Design and Interior Architecture degree option in Iowa. We offer the same high-quality training as 4-year institutions — in half the time — so you can start your new career sooner.
At Kirkwood, you’ll create classroom projects with industry-leading software tools like Photoshop and Revit, and receive hands-on instruction from our faculty experts. You’ll also have amazing opportunities to visit showrooms, architectural firms, and landmarks in nearby metro areas like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City.
The result? You'll graduate with an extensive portfolio and the experience to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam to prove your skill.
Design Discovery
Paired up to follow some of our Fall 2024 Kirkwood Campus Visit days, we offer Design Discovery with Interior Design + Interior Architecture. This is your chance to explore the spaces where ideas come to life, meet our passionate faculty, ask questions, and see the inspiring projects our students are working on. You'll see what it's like to be part of a dynamic community shaping the future of interior design and architecture.
At Design Discovery, you’ll not only explore how we prepare students for creative success, but also discover how you can develop the skills, connections, and knowledge needed to thrive in the design industry. This experience is your opportunity to see firsthand how joining our program can shape your future and open doors to exciting career opportunities all around the world.
We offer Design Discovery sessions following the conclusion of campus visit days on the following dates:
- Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.
Once you conclude your campus visit, please join us in 334 Nielsen Hall to start your Design Discovery session. We can't wait to meet you and say hello!
Why Choose Kirkwood for Interior Design and Interior Architecture?
Students delve into diverse areas such as Residential Design, Commercial Design, Hospitality Design, Product Design, Sustainable Design, Historical Design, and advanced software like Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Chief Architect, AutoCad, Revit, and various rendering platforms to bring visual ideas to life. Our courses are continuously updated to reflect the latest trends and technologies in the industry, and build upon staples like rendering by hand and effectively communicating verbally and visually.
We emphasize experiential learning through a blend of classroom projects, hands-on training, and interactive instruction. This approach ensures students develop practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. From studying historical architecture in Italy, to learning about cultural design in Africa, or visiting trade shows and expos in High Point or Las Vegas, our students are given the autonomy to select from a variety of experiences which enhance their learning beyond the classroom. Students are given real-life scenarios, real-life deadlines, and are taught about studio life of Interior Designers and Interior Architects.
Students have opportunities to attend field trips to major urban centers such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City, enhancing their understanding of diverse design environments. We also offer national and international Study Abroad trips, broadening students' perspectives and inspiring their creativity. We are the leading college in our state for providing International Experiences for our students, and given that many of our students go on to have projects around the country and world, we love providing as much experience to our students as possible to understand people, cultures, and design around us.
Our program offers unparalleled access to industry professionals through guest lectures, presentations, tours, workshops, and networking events. These connections help students build a robust professional network that can lead to job opportunities and mentorships. We place a high value on networking and building networks as students, so that professional networks are already developed when entering the fields of Interior Design and Interior Architecture.
Investing in your education at Kirkwood makes financial sense. Our program costs roughly $20,000, offering substantial savings compared to similar degrees with similar courses that can cost nearly $100,000. This allows you to receive a top-tier education without the burden of excessive student debt, and start out following graduation with less of a debt-burden, allowing you to more responsibly navigate life from a better starting point.
We provide robust career support built into our program courses, including resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance, portfolio development, and a final Portfolio Exhibit where our industry partners, families, and friends celebrate student success. Our strong relationships with industry partners help our graduates secure positions in top design firms and organizations in our state, nation, and even around the world. Our employment rate has been 100% for those pursuing employment following graduation, with an active employer waitlist that our students have access to.
Students have access to cutting-edge facilities, including design studios equipped with the latest technology, software, and printing opportunities. Our resources ensure students have the tools available to them to bring their creative visions to life. We provide students with the largest student resource room in our state, which is packed full of FFE samples, literature, props for vignettes, and copy and assembly items. Our space is a professional quality resource room and is even used by varying Architecture and Design individuals. We also provide work rooms for project assembly, using tools, and projects which are a bit more messy in nature. All of our spaces are secure entry exclusive for our students.
Program Costs
Interior Design & Interior Architecture
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring | Summer | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 18 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 3 | 77 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,906 | $3,472 | $1,953 | $3,038 | $3,689 | $651 | $16,709 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $300 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $865 | $1,335 | $420 | $1,115 | $1,930 | $85 | $5,750 |
| Course/Section Fees | $500 | $325 | $0 | $80 | $80 | $0 | $985 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $3,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,900 |
| Testing Fees | $200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $200 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Uniforms | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $9,421 | $5,182 | $2,423 | $4,283 | $5,749 | $786 | $27,844 |
Required design kits and onsite printing for class projects are included in program costs.
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
Stay Connected
For the latest news, updates, and insights into our program, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Our social media pages are a vibrant community where you can see student projects, get tips and inspiration, and stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, or alumni, our social media channels are the perfect way to stay connected and engaged with everything happening in our program.
Jillissa Moorman
Interior Design and Interior Architecture Program Coordinator & Associate Professor
319-398-4917
Explore More
Design and practice like a professional as you build a portfolio and resume you can use when applying for internships and careers.
Look forward to gaining insight into a wide range of design markets and trends, including:
- Residential and commercial
- Hospitality
- Sustainable design
- Historical design
- Product design
When you enroll at Kirkwood, you’ll receive the foundation for the technical and theoretical knowledge to enter the design industry upon graduation. Classes cover a wide range of design aspects and provide training on common industry software. You’ll take classes like:
- Architectural Sketching
- Residential and Commercial Design Studios
- SketchUp for Interior Design
- Theories and Visual Application
- Textiles for Interior Design
- Architectural Photoshop Techniques
- Revit for Interior Design
Kirkwood interior design graduates put their creative mark to work in an endless variety of fun and exciting environments. Most of our students already have a job or internship in place immediately after graduating. Some of these amazing experiences include:
- Residential firms
- Architectural firms
- Interior design firms
- Kitchen design
- Facilities planning and design
- Contract furniture dealerships
Field trips to major market cities and study abroad opportunities provide networking and industry exposure, as well as cultural design and architecture experiences. Kirkwood students have studied in Italy, Australia, and Africa, and visited design and architecture firms in Chicago, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and New York City.
Earn a Design Introductions - Certificate after 1 term.
Students graduate with professional LEED Green Associate credential.
Meet educational requirements to take the NCIDQ exam.
Becoming a part of Kirkwood Student Interior Designers allows you to learn about job openings quickly. You can also connect with professional design organizations and network with other professionals. Contact program advisor Jillissa Moorman at: 319-398-4917 to learn more.
Students in Kirkwood's Interior Design and Interior Architecture program, as well as those pursuing the Design Introductions Certificate, are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Business Professionals of America (BPA) and/or Future Business Leaders of America, INC. (FBLA).
FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus, while FBLA is the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world, helping more than 230,000 members prepare for careers in business each year. With 45,000 members in more than 1,800 chapters across 25 states and Puerto Rico, as well as an international presence in China, Haiti and Peru, BPA has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors.
FCCLA, BPA, and FBLA are three of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.
Kirkwood’s interior design program is the only 2-year interior design degree program in Iowa. We're a recognized campus center for the International Interior Design Association.
The mission of the Interior Design and Interior Architecture program at Kirkwood Community College is to prepare and equip students to practice and serve the community with respect to interior design in the areas of residential, commercial, sustainable, or another closely related area of specialization.
This is achieved by providing a respectful, student-centered approach and equipping students with a high-quality learning environment and experience that emphasizes ethical, technical, creative, and responsible problem-solving through design.
Program Requirements
To ensure your success in the Interior Design and Interior Architecture program at Kirkwood, please complete the following:
- Apply to Kirkwood.
- Register and attend a program conference.
- Submit placement scores PRIOR to New Student Orientation.
- Register for and attend New Student Orientation.
There are a limited number of spots in the program each year. Once the spots are full, you'll be added to the waitlist for the following fall semester.