Interior Design

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English, Grade 11 U or M or Grade 12 U Mathematics (one of MCF3M, MCR3U, MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U), and one additional Grade 12 U or M course from: Visual Arts (AVI4M), Economics: Analyzing Current Economic Issues (CIA4U), Canadian & World Issues: A Geographical Analysis (CGW4U), Canada: History, Identity and Culture (CHI4U), Physics (SPH4U), Communications Technology (TGJ4M) or Technological Design (TDJ4M). Other Grade 12 U or M courses in Canadian & World Issues may be considered on an individual basis.

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 65-70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
3. Students are advised to select Physics (Grade 11 or higher) and the Art option in Grades 11 and 12 if available.
4. Preference may be given to students who have included History or Visual Arts/Art History in their Grade 12 U/M studies.
5. A portfolio submission will be required and will be used with the applicant’s academic performance in the admission process. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program page for details about the non-academic requirements
6. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (non-refundable and subject to change) is required and will be requested by Toronto Met as applicable.
   
7. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

This program prepares graduates for a career as a professional Interior Designer. While most graduates become registered members of A.R.I.D.O. (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario) or of the Interior Design Associations in other provinces, some pursue graduate studies in Interior Design or related disciplines, and others enjoy successful careers in allied fields.

Our teaching is grounded in a commitment to experiential and hands-on learning using critical thinking complemented by making. An internship requirement is an integral part of the preparation for entering the profession and is completed before graduation.

The first year concentrates on giving all students a common base of theory, knowledge and skills. In the second year, Interior Design is a key professional course conducted in conjunction with other supportive and developmental courses. From the beginning students are encouraged to become self-sufficient with the guidance and assistance of the faculty.

Through the third and fourth years the development of the necessary common capabilities continues, adding professional practice courses and giving students progressive opportunities to explore a few areas in depth and to develop a high level of competency in an area of design of their own choosing.

Courses in Liberal Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and the History of Design provide intellectual depth and breadth and prepare the graduate for the legal, social and ethical responsibilities of professional practice. Communication skills, emphasized throughout the program, focus on freehand drawing in varied colour media and include manual drafting, CAD, writing and oral presentation. Technology studies cover principles and practice, regulations and standards of interior construction, fitment detailing, material finishes, building services, incorporating 'sustainable design', barrier-free access and environmental health. The Design Dynamics courses in the first and second years develop the theoretical and practical understanding of the design process, creativity, design theory and human factors engineering, with an emphasis on their application in the studio and workshop.

The Interior Design courses through all four years involve the application and synthesis of all accumulated understanding and capabilities to develop competency as the creative problem-solving interior designer.

They culminate in the fourth year advanced projects, utilizing and exercising each student’s area of greatest strength and inclination. These projects are publicly presented to a panel of professional designers and faculty.

Field trips of varying lengths form part of the formal curriculum and may occur in each of the years in connection with one or more courses.

Internship: Students are required to complete 400 hours of a monitored and documented internship. Typically, this internship is undertaken by students in the summer between third and fourth years.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

* IRN 501 and IRN 601 have a GPA Weight of 2.00.

* IRN 701 and IRN 801 have a GPA Weight of 2.00.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Annie Bergeron
Gensler

Diego Burdi
Burdifilek

Bryan Chartier
IA Interior Architects

Valerie Gow
Gow Hastings Architects

Camille Mitchell
Gensler

Glenn Pushelberg
Yabu Pushelberg

Ashley Rumsey
Mason Studio

Stanley Sun
Mason Studio

Jeremy Vandermeij
Design TO

George Yabu
Yabu Pushelberg