Revised 09/2026
IDS 225 - Business Procedures (3 CR.)
Course Description
Introduces the preparation of documents related to the business of design including contracts, purchase orders, and specifications. Covers business formats, legal issues, and ethics related to interior design as well as interviewing techniques and a discussion of portfolio requirements. Lecture 3 hours per week.
General Course Purpose
This course provides opportunities for students to understand the history of the profession and to explore the variety of career opportunities within the field. Students will learn important information related to the business side of their industry necessary for them to enter the profession. They will be exposed to marketing and project management skills.
Course Prerequisites/Corequisites
Prerequisite: IDS 100
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the basic history of the interior design profession.
- Describe the project management system and what it includes.
- Define purchase orders and work orders for an interior design project.
- Identify a variety of business formations.
- Explain the differences between a contract and letter of agreement.
- List a variety of career choices for an interior design professional.
- Describe a variety of legal considerations inherent to the practice of interior design.
- Identify several management and marketing practices for interior design field.
Major Topics to Be Included
- Business formations
- Determining design fees and billing practices
- Types of service agreements
- Selling and marketing services
- Project management
- Working with trade sources
- Contract documents and specifications
- Legal considerations
- Career options