Interior Design
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Interior Design

OCC’s interior design program combines the human and professional sides of decorating a building’s interior and the designing of environments. This degree focuses on:

  • Developing artistic maturity
  • Analytical strengths
  • Balancing creative talent with technical skills

Explore Different Career Options

Use your A.A.S. degrees to become:

  • Interior Designer
  • Kitchen and Bath Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Showroom Manager
  • Design Consultant
  • Interior Stager
  • Outside Sales Representative
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • And More
Job Market Outlook

OCC Interior Design graduates are working for a variety of different employers, such as:

  • California Closets
  • Gardner Builders
  • Ellwood Interiors
  • Beaver Tile and Stone
  • Whiski Kitchen and Bath
  • Kirkshire Group

Gain Industry Experience with an Internship

Designed to help you get a foot in the door to start your career, you will complete a mandatory internship as part of an internship class. Along with real-world experience, you will gain credits toward your degree.

Businesses where you could intern:

  • Reservation and Renovation
  • Ellwood Interiors
  • Interiors by Sonia
  • Proven Kitchen and Bath
  • Dwyer Marble & Stone
  • Beaver Tile and Stone
  • Diva by Design, Harlingen
  • Clark + Aldine
 

Building a High Quality Portfolio at OCC

You will learn to build a portfolio that includes visual presentations, drawings and scaled models using a drafting board and AutoCAD software. You will have the opportunity to have one-on-one portfolio reviews with faculty.

You will work on a project to create a fully accessible bathroom. This project addresses issues of the National Bath and Kitchen Association (NKBA).

You will learn about finish materials and how those can provide for Universal and Barrier Free Design according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Did you know?

Transferring Made Easy

OCC’s Interior Design program’s articulation agreements provide easy transfers to continue your studies at universities such as:

  • College for Creative Studies in Interior Design
  • Eastern Michigan University in Interior Design and Technology Management
  • Oakland University in Interdisciplinary Studies

In-Person and Online Learning

This program is offered on the Orchard Ridge campus. INT courses meet for a 3 hour class period once a week.

Associate Degree

Hear from Alumni and Faculty

Etrelya Finley

Returning Student Finishes Her Degree, Earning Dream Job Offers 

"Had I not done that internship as part of OCC’s curriculum, I would not have gotten those career opportunities." 
Read Etrelya's story

“OCC’s program exceeded my expectations. Every assignment is designed to use the skills that we learn in class and is based on actual client projects.The instructors truly care about the success of the students and provide the support needed to be successful.”  -Liz B., OCC Alum and Owner BDA, LLC

Liz B.
Professor Michelle Pergeau-Dudgeon has been a faculty member at OCC since 2001 and is both Program Director and Internship Coordinator for the Associate Degree in Interior Design. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Western Michigan University and worked for ten years in the lighting industry receiving her Lighting Specialist Certification from the American Lighting Association. She owned a residential design business for five years.
Michelle Pergeau-Dudgeon

Get Started Today!

Ready to begin your studies? Get started now:

  • Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application.
  • On the application select the degree program ‘Interior Design’.
  • Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Student Update Information Request form.

Take a Look at OCC Interior Design Student Experiences

For more Interior Design highlights, head to Flickr.

Students Presenting Church Renovation Proposal
Visit to the Alden B. Dow House
Student Volunteers in design challenge for Humble Design