March 4, 2008 - 7:45am
Malaspina University-College has more good news for students who want to focus their creativity towards a professional career in design.
In addition to the announcement earlier this week of a new four year degree program in graphic design, Malaspina will also launch a new Bachelor of Interior Design.
“Rapid technological changes and higher industry standards in interior design have been the catalyst for the launch of this new degree program, which is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island, ” said Malaspina interior design instructor Bodil Ellins. “The degree program will replace our highly successful two-year diploma program in interior design, which has been extremely popular for the past fourteen years.”
In the interior design field, new regulations and guidelines have been set in motion , Bodil said. " The profession’s governing body, the Interior Design Institute of BC, recently entered into a soft merger with the Architects Institute of BC (AIBC) , which means that the interior design profession will soon be governed by the AIBC with stricter requirements for members. Graduation from a recognized degree program will be a requirement for AIBC membership.”
Upon graduation and two years of approved, related work experience, graduates may write the professional exams set by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification in order to become professional registered interior designers, Ellins added.
Curriculum for the new degree program features lecture, studio, critique, and computer lab instruction; independent and collaborative projects; formal and informal presentations; field trips; and a final major project spanning two semesters. The program includes a paid internship term which is scheduled in the summer between third and fourth year.
The new program will serve students from Victoria to Port Hardy and beyond. Ellins expects the new program to be popular with young and seasoned aspiring designers alike, and hopes it will attract diploma transferees from other schools on the mainland and across Canada who may apply for advanced standing and admission to third year.
Graduates from Malaspina’s two-year diploma program in interior design have excelled in the workforce, and Ellins anticipates similar success for those who complete the degree program.
“Many of our grads are working on Vancouver Island between Campbell River and Victoria,” she said. “Others work in Vancouver, Alberta, and central or northern BC in a variety of areas for architectural and interior design consulting firms, kitchen and bath design companies, residential design firms, lighting specialists, staging companies, millwork companies and in a variety of sales related positions.”
Applications for first and third year of the new Bachelor of Interior Design degree are now being accepted. Apply for admission at viu.ca or call the advising centre at (250) 740-6410.
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