David Whipple's Interior Design Web Page

• Northern Virginia Community College--Loudoun Campus

The Interior Design Program, which is held at the Loudoun Campus only,is a two year degree program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree in Interior Design.  65 credit hours are required for the degree which includes courses in interior design, art history, and applied  design.  The program also includes an internship program.  A complete list of the required courses may be found on the College's web site. Brief course description may also be found on the web site.  Students may take non-IDS courses at any of the 4 other campuses.

• Some Things to Consider Regarding Studies and a Career in Interior Design

1. The program is designed to educate students whose career goals  include positions as interior design assistants in a residential or commercial design firm; in retail interior design firms, such as furniture stores or designer showrooms;  or as assistants in architectural firms.
2. Because of the structure of the program , it is necessary for   students to take IDS courses in approximately the order they are listed in the college catalogue.  If one is not a full time student, the completion time for the degree may extend over a period of three to four years because of scheduling conflicts.   The IDS schedule is set up six semesters in advance so the student may anticipate their course work involvement in light of job situations, family obligations and financial arrangements. Courses are offered at night and it is possible to finish the degree in about 8 semesters. Please note in setting up your course schedule for any particular semester, that many courses have prerequisites which are waived only under specific consideration of the program  head.  Occasionally a course will be canceled due to low enrollment and the student will have to make adjustments that may be less than ideal. There are few courses offered during summer school.  It is strongly suggested that prospective students read the college catalogue with care to avoid unfortunate missunderstandings.
3. While the program has an open enrollment policy consistent with the college mission, students should have some affinity with the interior design field before starting to take courses. This could be manifested through interests and ability in drawing,  drafting, upholstering and fabric construction, and other talent normally associated with the design field.
4. Students who have another 2 or 4 year degree normally will not have to take the general college requirements and will have to have a transcript evaluation completed by the Admissions and Records Office.  The student should request transcripts from former college registrars and have them sent directly to the registrar of the Loudoun Campus.
5. Some students may consider transferring their work  to a four year degree program.  It is the responsibility of the student to consult with their future school to determine what courses will transfer.  In general, only a limited number of interior design  courses may transfer. Most state colleges and universities will take the core requirements without question, but there is generally a reluctance to accept course work in interior design.  Private college and universities are more willing to accept the 2 year degree as the first two years of a four year IDS program.  Many institutions will require a portfolio review before acceptance into a program and/ or the granting of transfer credit.
6. Licensing is an important issue to consider in your educational goals and career choices.  In order to become a member of the American Society for Interior Designers (ASID) one must pass the NCIDQ exam.  Currently a student with a 2 year degree  and 4 years experience in the industry may sit for the exam.  Passing the exam and being a member of ASID will qualify a student to be a licensed interior designer in the District of Columbia only.  To be licensed in Virginia or Maryland the student must have a 4 year degree in interior design.  However, it is completely possible for a two year student to work under a licensed designer or design firm in a successful and satisfying career.  Many designers who have not taken the NCDIQ Exam are involved with ASID as Allied Members whose benefits parallel those of full membership.  For more information, contact the national headquarters of ASID at http://asid.org.  The Loudoun Campus has a student chapter of ASID and it provides important contacts with the local and national offices.  Benefits of student membership include mentoring programs, student colloquia on interior design issues, ASID newsletters and updates, special lectures and "designer/representative" days at the DC Design Center.                                    

7. Interior design education and, to continue, interior design work are demanding undertakings.  Students should anticipate long hours on projects, presentations, field trips, client meetings, workroom sessions, meetings with suppliers, contractors and installers, attendance at profession meetings, attendance at Market (North Carolina).  There is a considerable amount of phoning. faxing, driving, and detailing.  Students should consider extra course work in art history, fine arts-particularly drawing and design,  business, psychology, and computer skills, particularly Computer Aided Design. 

8. Current faculty include David Whipple--Program Head for Art and Interior Design, Kristine Winner--Instructor in Interior Design, Cathy Wilkin--Professor of Art,  Lou Barnett--Adjunct Lecturer in Interior Design, Cory Correll--Adjunct Lecturer in Interior Design,  Valerie Hassett--Adjunct Lecturer in Interior Design, Amani Makarita--Adjunct Lecturer in Interior Design, and Margaret Croce--Instructional Assistant in Art and Interior Design.