Interior Design, Furnishings & Fashion Merchandising | Interior Design

Housed in the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design, equal emphasis is placed on commercial and residential design, given our longstanding relationship with High Point Market and nationally recognized design leaders.

Contact the Office of Admissions

One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

Undergraduate Admissions Campus Map Interior Design Faculty & Staff

(800) 345-6993

(336) 841-9216

(336) 888-6382

admiss@highpoint.edu

Daily from 8:30am — 5:00pm.

Faculty and Staff

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John Turpin

Dean of the David R Hayworth School of Arts and Design and Professor of Interior Design

jturpin@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9341

Jane Nichols

Chair and Associate Professor

jnichols@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9565

Kathryn Brandt

Instructor of Home Furnishings and Interior Design

kbrandt@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9308

Brandon Jones

Instructor of Home Furnishings and Interior Design

bjones2@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9452

John Linn

Assistant Professor of Home Furnishings and Interior Design

jlinn@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-4575

Cathy Nowicki

Assistant Professor of Home Furnishings and Interior Design

cnowicki@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9212

Victoria Brown

Assistant Professor of Home Furnishings & Interior Design

vbrown@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9298

Gary Inman

Assistant Professor of the Practice of Interior Design

ginman@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9093

Welcome to the Interior Design Program at High Point University. Housed in the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design, equal emphasis is placed on commercial and residential design, given our longstanding relationship with High Point Market and nationally recognized design leaders. The curriculum emphasizes critical and creative thinking skills, integration of course modules and opportunities for internships and study abroad experiences.

To graduate with a B.S. in Interior Design or a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising Design, students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher per the university’s requirements.

All design studio courses require the acquisition of specific materials and supplies. Students are expected to develop and maintain a reference library of texts, samples, and other necessary materials to complete course projects. Students are required to have a laptop by the beginning of their sophomore course work. Specifications are updated annually on the School of Art and Design website.

It is strongly recommended that students retain their textbooks to serve as valuable references in higher level courses and during their professional lives. Many of the texts may be used as references for portions of the NCIDQ exam.

Transfer Students: Since course titles and contents vary from institution to institution, placement and acceptance of credit for High Point University interior design courses are based on examination of student work to ensure that student knowledge, skill sets, and graphic communication abilities are commensurate with acceptable work in specific High Point University interior design courses. Students are required to have laptops once they begin 2000-level coursework in the major. Specifications may be found on the School of Art and Design website.

The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The B.S. in Interior Design granted by High Point University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

The Interior Design program also falls under the University’s National Association of Schools of Art and Design accreditation. HPU is one of only two IIDA (International Interior Design Association) Campus Centers at a private college in the Carolinas. This designation affiliates our students with practicing Contract Design professionals, and coordinates student member activities with the professional activities of our local IIDA Triad City Center chapter, as well as the entire IIDA of the Carolinas.This includes the annual Portfolio Review and Mock interviews in the Triad and Charlotte (students may attend these at any Carolinas Chapter location if offered (i.e Charleston, Columbia, Greenville), Design Days in Charlotte and at High Point Furniture Market, and Professional Mentoring and Career / Job listing services for all of North and South Carolina.

Admission Requirements (Effective Fall 2018)

The Department of Home Furnishings and Interior Design has created three diagnostic courses for its two professional programs (INT/FMD) that introduce students to foundational history and theory (e.g., elements and principles of design), the design process, and the opportunity to apply this information in an entry-level studio that focuses on creative three-dimensional problem-solving. Upon completion of these three courses (INT 1100, 1220, 1280), students must submit a portfolio of their work before being formally accepted into either major.

For Portfolio Review, students submit a portfolio of work that consists of selected projects from the freshman-level foundation courses. Faculty will evaluate the quality of the portfolio of work along with the student’s professional behavior (attendance, work ethic, ability to accept constructive criticism) and overall GPA. The program does not have a quota and can accept all students that meet the department’s standards. It is, however, unlikely that students will pass Portfolio Review if the student has a cumulative GPA below 2.5 or a grade of C-or below is received in either of the two foundational courses. Students must pass both courses to be eligible to apply for admission into the major. Students may retake the course and reapply at the end of that semester; however, students may not apply to the program more than twice.

After formal acceptance into the major, students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all required major-specific courses to advance in the program.

Comprehensive outcome

In recognition of the needs of the industry, HPU’s Core Competencies and our regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the faculty has identified a single, comprehensive outcome.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design program possess the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully meet the job requirements for entry-level positions in Interior Design.

The faculty has identified 6 programmatic goals essential for students to achieve the aforementioned outcome. They will demonstrate the ability to:

Define problem as it relates to the field of Interior Design.
Engage in pre-design investigations that demonstrate the ability to gather and analyze relevant information, evaluate issues and set priorities.
Explore and generate creative solutions via a systematic and coordinated design process that integrates functional and aesthetic concerns.
Justify and defend design solutions as they relate to relevant criteria derived from the problem/program or larger concepts that recognize best practices or innovation (e.g., socioeconomic, sustainability, global issues).
Convey (written, graphic, oral) intent in a professional manner as appropriate to the audience.
Utilize life skills to enhance productivity, flexibility, adaptability and collegiality (presentation, leadership, time management, commitment, life-long learners, curious minds).

Job placement rates

May 2018 100% Employment
May 2017 95.7% Employment, 4.3% Post-graduate education
May 2016 100% Employment

*Knowledge rates: 93% for 2018; 92% for 2017; 89% for 2016

What can I do with a degree in interior design?

HPU alumni with degrees in interior design currently have careers in:

Computer-Aided Design
Commercial Interior Design
Healthcare Facilities Design
Hospitality and Entertainment Facilities Design
Merchandising Management
Residential Interior Design
Retail Design
Retail Store Management

Interior design partnership in Italy

HPU interior design majors have the unique opportunity to graduate not only with a four year degree, but also with a concentration certificate from the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in Florence, Italy. Students have the opportunity to travel abroad in their junior spring semester to study design in the geographic heart of design — Italy. Students are completely immersed in Florentine culture, and are instructed by professors native to Florence.

Students earn certificates in:

Visual Communication for Fashion
Retail Design
Product Design Towards Sustainability

Unparalleled access to the High Point Furniture Market

Located in one of the largest metropolitan areas in North Carolina, High Point University has direct ties with the community and many businesses in the surrounding area that offer internship opportunities in interior design. Students also have access to the High Point Furniture Market, the premier furniture and design exhibition in the world, which is held twice a year during the fall and spring semesters. The High Point Furniture Market gives students a unique opportunity to connect, work and learn alongside leading industry professionals from around the world.

Interior design is one of HPU’s top majors

Students have exclusive access and longstanding relationships with the High Point International Home Furnishings Market
Exposure to all facets of design gives students marketability to employers and flexibility in the workplace, making them perfect candidates for promotions and lateral moves
Students have the opportunity to graduate with a design certificate from Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in Florence, Italy
Students have access to top design leaders, giving them opportunities to interact with industry professionals
The curriculum is divided into four parts: the profession of interior design, design communications, social and cultural exploration and building technologies and studio
Students graduate with a bachelors of science
The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The B.S. in Interior Design granted by High Point University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

Course Requirements 2022/2023

Bachelors of Science in Interior Design

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	72
University Core Requirements	36-44
Electives	12-20
Total	128

Requirements for B.S. in Interior Design

Course	Course Title	Credits
ART 2000	Art History Survey	4
INT 0999	Portfolio Review	0
INT 1100	Design and Society	3
INT 1220	Design Communication I: Visual Ideation	3
INT 1280	Studio I: Form and Space	4
INT 2120	Design Communication II: Visual Abstractions	3
INT 2140	History of Interiors I: Western Foundations	2
INT 2180	Studio II: Plane and Pattern	4
INT 2220	Design Communication III: Visual Presentation	3
INT 2260	Building Technologies I: Construction Systems	2
INT 2280	Studio III: The Human Interface	5
INT 3040	History of Interiors II: Classical Interpretations and Modern Experimentation	4
INT 3160	Building Technologies II: Materials, Finishes and Furnishings	2
INT 3180	Studio IV: Programming	5
INT/GBS 3240	Global Issues and the Built Environment	4
INT 3285 or VMD 3200	Studio V: Special Topics	4
INT 4120	Design Communication V: Building Information Modeling	3
INT 4160	Building Technologies III: Building Systems	2
INT 4180	Studio VI: Health, Safety and Welfare	5
INT 4200	Professionalism and Business Practices	2
INT 4220	Design Communication V: Construction Documents	3
INT 4280	Studio VII: Capstone	5
Course Descriptions

Career Opportunities

Alumni from High Point University with degrees in interior design have a wide range of career opportunities that include:

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Computer Aided Design (CAD) Specialist
Commercial Interior Design
Healthcare Facilities Design
Hospitality and Entertainment Facilities Design
Merchandising Management
Residential Interior Design
Retail Design
Retail Store Management
Gianna Carrabotta, '17 - Design Consultant for Restoration Hardware in Westport Connecticut
Kim Greve, '16 - Designer at Robin Baron Design, a high-end residential interior design firm in New York City
Lynde Pepper, '16 - Attending graduate school at Florida State University for her Master of Science advanced professional degree in Interior Design with an emphasis on health care design
Leah Vitrano, '16 - Junior Designer at Bettershelter, a boutique real estate development company in Orange County, California
Emily Springer, '16 - Design Assistant at Barbour Spangle Design Group
Deanna Smith, '16 - Interior Designer at Mind’s Eye Architecture
Megan Muir, '15 - Global design intern with Marriott International
Michelle Scirica, '15 - Junior Interior Designer at Rogers Design Group
Scott Staffi, '14 - Trade Products Corporation
Christiana Walker, '14 - Associate Designer with Builders Design
Alyssa Carney, '14 - Design Consultant for Bassett Furniture

Student Outcomes

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Cayla Lowrey

CJMW Architecture

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

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Emma Lynch

Timothy Brown Studio

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Name: Allison Berg Hometown: Gainesville, Virginia Year: Class of 2023 Major: Interior design with a minor in French Internship: Berg joins OTJ Architects in Washington, D.C., as an interior design…

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Computer Aided Design (CAD) Specialist
Commercial Interior Design
Healthcare Facilities Design
Hospitality and Entertainment Facilities Design
Merchandising Management
Residential Interior Design
Retail Design
Retail Store Management
Gianna Carrabotta, '17 - Design Consultant for Restoration Hardware in Westport Connecticut
Kim Greve, '16 - Designer at Robin Baron Design, a high-end residential interior design firm in New York City
Lynde Pepper, '16 - Attending graduate school at Florida State University for her Master of Science advanced professional degree in Interior Design with an emphasis on health care design
Leah Vitrano, '16 - Junior Designer at Bettershelter, a boutique real estate development company in Orange County, California
Emily Springer, '16 - Design Assistant at Barbour Spangle Design Group
Deanna Smith, '16 - Interior Designer at Mind’s Eye Architecture
Megan Muir, '15 - Global design intern with Marriott International
Michelle Scirica, '15 - Junior Interior Designer at Rogers Design Group
Scott Staffi, '14 - Trade Products Corporation
Christiana Walker, '14 - Associate Designer with Builders Design
Alyssa Carney, '14 - Design Consultant for Bassett Furniture

Keep Reading

Study Abroad

At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.

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Interior Design Accreditation

HPU's Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation

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