BECOME A
PROFESSIONAL
INTERIOR DESIGNER

Interior Design

I WANT ANSWERS!

Overview

EXCITING NEWS!!

Centre for Arts and Technology has reached an articulation agreement with RCC Institute of Technology. Read our Press Release to find out how this could set you up for a Bachelor of Interior Design!

Receive interior design training from our industry experts at one of the leading interior design schools in Canada. The Centre offers 3 Interior Design Programs; a 15-month, a 18-month program and a 24-month program. Providing you the tools and training you need to start a career in interior design. You don’t just want to design a functional space…your goal is to create a masterpiece. You see beauty and potential in every room…waiting for just the right blend of know-how and imagination (yours!). You understand that every line, every curve, every colour come together as a symphony to form the desired look and mood. Interior design is in your future, and Centre for Arts and Technology, one of the leading interior design schools in Canada, will help take you there.

The Interior Design program will get you ready for a rewarding careers like these:

  • Interior Designer
  • Building Code Consultant
  • Office Space Planner
  • Space Management Consultant
  • Kitchen Designer
  • Retail and Residential Space Planner
  • Real Estate Staging Consultant

INTERIOR DESIGN SCHOOLS | KELOWNA, CANADA

Interior designers create environments that bring beauty to everyday life, portray personality, and add sophistication and professionalism to reinforce the brand of a business or retailer. Offered at one of the leading interior design schools in Canada, our comprehensive Interior Design program will bring out your artistic side, familiarize you with the latest technology, and prepare you for a career as an independent designer, or employment with a respected design firm.

Here are just a few of the places you’ll find our graduates:

Yuge Design • MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architecture • Riddell Kurczaba Architecture • Apache Canada • Bergrand Fast Design • Jade Bay Constructors The Interior Design program offers professional training through instructors who have enjoyed successful interior design careers of their own. You’ll learn from the best about every aspect of the interior design industry, from traditional drafting and rendering, to 3D modeling software, to lighting and construction methods. You will also have the opportunity to make valuable connections and learn firsthand during several work placements. With your professional interior design diploma, you’ll be a master of: Technical Drafting Techniques—AutoCAD and SketchUp—Building Technologies—Detailing—Business of Interior Design—Theory and Principles of Interior Design—Lighting—History of Architecture and Design—Graphic Communications—Representation Methods—Building Codes and Sustainable Design.

“I chose the Centre for Arts and Technology because of their smaller class sizes and genuine interest in my success. The Interior Design program definitely prepared me for the career I always dreamed about.” –     McKenzie Hedman

*The future path for Interior Design certification qualifications (NCIDQ) undergoes change often. Centre for Arts and Technology is following the professional Interior Design industry developments closely and will respond appropriately as the changes progress. All students should seek updated information as it is made available through the national association (IDC) and each individual provincial association. Find out more about the current status for NCIDQ Exam Eligibility Requirements.  Currently the Centre for Arts and Technology graduates qualify to write the NCIDQ exam upon the required post graduate work experience.  Please follow-up with a Program Advisor to help guide you through this process at inquire@digitalartschool.com.  

Campuses

Kelowna

Program Length

24 months

Application Deadline

September 6th

Course Flow

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 3
  • Semester 4
  • Semester 5
  • Semester 6
  • Semester 7
  • Semester 8

In the first quarter, students explore foundational concepts in design theory and technical knowledge, beginning to apply this knowledge through project based work. Students will learn how to manipulate theories and concepts in order to create strong solutions in interior environments. This quarter provides an understanding of a global perspective on human achievements in architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts and their relevance to modern life. Fundamental technical skills in drafting and digital programs will be introduced and by the end of the quarter, students will be able to draw on and apply your new knowledge and skills to projects in the upcoming quarters.

In this quarter, students will experiment with and apply design concepts to create effective solutions for residential interior environments. Courses focus on the various materials and components used in the industry, providing first-hand knowledge of how to implement them in design solutions. Students will be introduced to the quality, quantity and application of lighting in interior spaces and will explore various methods to visually represent design concepts to clients through drawing, rendering and computer drafting techniques. The primary focus of this quarter is developing an applied understanding of the design process used in the practice of interior design.

Quarter 3 takes a closer look into the human, environmental, and “universal/barrier-free” aspects of Interior Design and space planning. Students will be challenged with 3D spatial problem solving and exploring the connections between interior and exterior spaces.  Courses explore the environmental and sustainable factors that influence the selection and design of materials and components, and discover new innovations through hands-on experimentation, independent and group research, site visits and guest lectures. Students begin to develop a more personal and visually accurate style of visually presenting their projects while exploring construction systems, components and methods used in wood frame and residential construction.

The programming process is integral to the practice of interior design and this quarter familiarizes students with planning concepts, furniture and finish specifications associated with commercial design with a focus on hospitality concepts. Students will create computer generated 3D models and explore rendering techniques for conceptual design and presentation drawings. Courses explore construction and detailing of interior components such as floors, walls and ceiling systems, as well as millwork, developing an understanding of how to accurately draw and design details. Students will develop advanced lighting drawings for commercial spaces including details and specifications resulting in creative and functional solutions. Emphasis this quarter is placed on the application of concepts through the use of technical criteria, specifications, layout and building system coordination.

In this quarter, students develop tools and techniques to research and apply Building Code regulations and Universal Design regulations to interior environments.  Students will also learn about current sustainable practices and rating systems such as: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Passive House and WELL Building and how to assess and apply strategies in design projects.  Building systems for typical commercial spaces are also covered, enabling students to communicate more effectively with other design professionals such as; architects, engineers, contractors, and building officials, who are all partners in an integrated design process. Systems such as construction systems, sustainable construction strategies, power distribution systems, mechanical systems, including HVAC and plumbing, energy management, data/voice communication systems, security and acoustics will be studied.  Students will advance their skills in various CAD software programs currently used in the industry by creating a full set of working drawings. Additional emphasis will be placed on the application of concepts in retail and healthcare design.

In this quarter, students will focus on improving and developing your conceptual skills, refining schematic design concepts, preparing final drawings and improving visual presentation skills. Courses explore the various theories, approaches and furniture applications implemented in the design of today’s small, medium and large corporate office. Students will examine business and professional practice relevant to interior design, concentrating on contracts, bidding, designer responsibilities, and professional ethics, as well as professional fees, billing and insurance. In this quarter, students start to compile and prepare a preliminary portfolio with the knowledge and tools required to complete a high-quality academic and professional portfolio in multiple formats. Under the mentorship of a Practicum sponsor, students will experience the first of two work placements in the interior design and related industries that are relevant to their interests and level of ability.

In the seventh quarter, students will expand their knowledge, practical use and application of the Building Code and Universal Design regulations to demonstrate their understanding of the interior designer’s responsibility to design with the health, safety and welfare of the public in mind. Students will prepare a plan review and code analysis for their Final Graduation Project. Students will undertake investigative research using evidence based-design techniques to prepare a report which will be the basis for your Final Graduation Project, all the while advancing their 3D Computer-Aided Design skills though the exploration of additional 3D software to construct and render interior spaces.  Courses cover what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s market and allow students to create their own business plan and company identity. The seventh quarter contains the second Practicum/work environment within firms, trades and providers of services within the Interior Design profession to further student understanding of the profession.

A significant portion of the final quarter will be implementing research findings from quarter 7 into a design solution for a final graduation project that will coincide with areas of interest students would like to pursue in Interior Design. Student projects will address a real and tangible need within the community and students will present the final solution to the community, design industry and faculty members.   Students will produce and coordinate a full set of drawings, demonstrating their understanding of the assembly of the individual parts of a project into one final cohesive drawing package. During this quarter, students also finalize their Interior Design portfolio, web site and social media, which will help in presenting their abilities to potential employers after graduation.

Faculty

JENNIFER YEO | BID RID, IDC, NCIDQ # 07266 | DEPARTMENT HEAD

Jennifer brings 30 years of experience as a practicing Interior Designer to her role as Interior Design Department Head. She has extensive commercial design experience and her portfolio includes projects across Canada in the corporate office, educational, institutional, health care, ecclesiastical, financial, manufacturing, hospitality and residential sectors. She is the principal of Yeo Design Associates in Vernon, is a Registered Interior Designer, member of IDIBC (Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia) and IDC (Interior Designers of Canada).  She has been an Executive Board Member of the PIDIM (Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba) responsible for the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) portfolio. She received a Bachelor degree (BID) in Interior Design from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture in 1983; holds NCIDQ certification and has an extensive background in teaching, leading workshops and speaking engagements on various aspects of design including a presentation to the USSR Winter Cities Architectural Delegation on “The Impact of the North on Interior Design” for the NWT Government in Yellowknife.

Jennifer has been recognized nationally for her award winning designs, receiving a First Place Award for the Interface & Bentley National Design Competition and a Premier’s Award for Design Excellence.

Her instructional experience includes instructing Interior Design and Decorating courses for Red River Community College, Winkler and Okanagan College, Kalamalka Campus. She began instructing at the Centre for Arts and Technology in 2012 and teaches various courses in design theory, universal design, commercial design, history of architecture and interior design, graphic communication, detailing courses and advanced design studios.

To learn more about working in the Interior Design Industry, you can listen to our PODCAST with Jennifer on our Soundcloud Account. 

MIKE BENTIEN | C.L.C.L.S | INSTRUCTOR

Mike has been in lighting for almost 30 years and has had his own lighting design business Designing with Light for almost 20 years.  Mike is certified by the “American Lighting Association” and holds certificates from the “Illuminating Engineering Society”.  He also a member of the “Heritage Registry of Who’s Who”.  Mike instructs the lighting design and sustainable lighting courses at CAT.

JASON BESSE | DIPL. TECH., A.T. AIBC | INSTRUCTOR

An employee of Patrick McCusker Architecture Inc., Jason plays an integral role in the production and assembly of construction drawings. Showing initiative in professional development, he has established a membership with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and continues to pursue ongoing education in the architecture industry.  Jason instructs the introductory computer drafting classes in AutoCAD as well as Revit.

DEBORAH LAMPITT-MCCONNACHIE | INSTRUCTOR

Deborah ‘s career encompasses fashion, film, music,  television, print journalism and education at the post graduate level and has spent most of the past 30 years in London, UK (with a couple of years here and there in Los Angeles and Vancouver).

In her work, she travelled extensively to New York, Paris and Milan covering the international Ready-to-Wear and Couture designer collections for print and television. She has also worked for RCA records in LA and Island Records in the UK, directed and segment produced for a number of fashion and lifestyle programs in the UK, worked in pop promos and feature films, and continues to write and organize fashion and lifestyle shoots for print magazines in Canada and the UK.

Deborah spent twelve years running BA programs in Fashion Journalism and Music Journalism plus an MA course in Fashion And Lifestyle Journalism for the University for the Creative Arts in the UK. She is a closet interior designer who is very big on contemporary and minimalist interiors, and spends way too much time on Houzz.com. Deborah brings her expertise in print media + design to the portfolio classes for the Interior Design Program.

NICK DESERT DID | INSTRUCTOR

Nick teaches Traditional Representation Techniques and Graphic Communication Methods – how to create an interior space in 3D by hand, and digitally. Originally from England, Nick graduated from the Interior Design program at CATO in 2010. By day, he is an Interior Designer at Begrand Fast Design Inc, commercial interior design company in downtown Kelowna.

MO BAYAT | MSC ( ARCH/ENG), SCO, RBO |INSTRUCTOR

We are really lucky to have an expert like Mo Bayat, who is our instructor for the Building Code courses. Mo is the Director of Development Services for the City of Kelowna and is an expert in the Building Code.

KRISTA PAINE | INSTRUCTOR

Krista Paine, a Registered Interior Designer for almost ten years, a member of the Interior Designers Institute of B.C. and Women in Business, has taken over her father, Ian Paine’s construction company in his retirement.  She has expanded their services with her exquisite taste and unequivocal eye for design. Now to add to her already extensive resume, an exceptional instructor to aspiring Interior Design students with Center for Arts and Technology. She offers much to share with the students in her expansive knowledge in the industry, all while making the learning experience enjoyable, as well as memorable. She teaches Residential Design and Build; geared towards the many aspects beyond designing the interior space, such as foundations, materials, walls, flooring, ceilings, and roof structure.

Krista specializes in Kitchen and Bathroom design, as well as high-end millwork to compliment her already extraordinary designs. Her talents have not gone unnoticed, as she has been featured in magazines, numerous articles, trade blogs, and international webpages abroad.  She has also judged various building awards and been invited by NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) to help develop their new computer-based exam in Virginia. Her greatest achievement thus far, would have to be the long list of awards received for her award winning projects; most recently becoming the 2018 Okanagan Bathroom Renovator Tommie Gold Winner, taking home gold in “Excellence in Bathroom Renovations under $20,000” and “Excellence in Bathroom Renovations over $20,000”.

Krista is more than an exceptional Interior Designer. When teaching, she brings the elements of professionalism into the environment, with her energetic and playful personality. If you ever have the opportunity to peek into one of her classes, students will full-heartedly express the enjoyment in her teachings, as they have quickly gained immense respect for such an ideal role model in the industry. With great passion, Krista has continued to educate the willing minds of students and even fellow industry associates abroad. So be sure to follow Krista as she continues her exciting journey, and if ever the opportunity, get to know her and pick her brain, as she is an endless open book of knowledge.

Graduate Success

McKenzie Hedman

McKenzie Hedman Interior Design Grad

“I chose the Centre for Arts and Technology because of their smaller class sizes and genuine interest in my success. The Interior Design program definitely prepared me for the career I always dreamed about.” - McKenzie Hedman