Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Paris College of Art

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Paris College of Art is a dynamic four-year program (one Foundation Year plus three years of specialized study) with an emphasis on retail and commercial spaces, perfect for creative students passionate about transforming environments through thoughtful, context-sensitive design. You'll gain hands-on skills in studios and classrooms, drawing inspiration from Paris's iconic heritage, while building toward a final individual project, thesis presentation, and mandatory six-month internship that launches you into professional roles worldwide.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year (Year 1):
This foundational year immerses you in core creative skills, starting with intensive workshops in techniques like drawing and materials exploration to build your visual vocabulary and experimentation confidence. You'll choose between Drawing I or Black & White Photography in the fall and Drawing II or Color Photography in the spring, alongside Materials & Dimensions I, helping you develop a personal approach to space and form right from the start in Paris's inspiring surroundings.

Sophomore Year (Year 2):
Here, you'll dive into interior-specific methodologies, focusing on systematic design processes through studio work that emphasizes retail and commercial contexts. Key courses like Graphic Design I introduce visual problem-solving with elements like form, color, type, and image across scales, while building technical skills in hand and digital drawing to communicate your ideas effectively.

Junior Year (Year 3):
Your studies intensify with professional tools and interdisciplinary projects, mastering industry-standard CAD software and conducting research on historical, social, and technical aspects of spaces. Courses such as Design Thinking and Project Management* equip you to handle feasibility, financing, sourcing, and team dynamics, preparing you for real-world commissions in exhibition and event design.

Senior Year (Year 4):
Culminating in a polished portfolio and self-identity project, this year hones your professional edge through Senior Studio I workshops led by industry experts, focusing on digital/print presentation and career readiness. You'll complete your individual project and thesis for a critics' panel, followed by that essential internship, ensuring you're set for immediate roles in global design firms.

Focus areas: Retail, commercial, exhibition, and event spaces; interdisciplinary studio practice blending creative expression, technical skills, and Paris's cultural heritage.

Learning outcomes: Manage projects with feasibility, financing, and ethics in mind; communicate via hand/digital drawing; conduct contextual research; master CAD software; respond to professional commissions; develop print/digital portfolios.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Paris College of Art awards American BFA degrees, emphasizing systematic methodologies for versatile interior designers; graduates enter specialized Master's programs or international roles seamlessly.

Reputation (employability rankings): PCA's Paris context and rigorous studio training prepare you for immediate employment in design firms, retail/hotel chains, or as independent consultants—strong interdisciplinary outcomes like research, communication, and cultural awareness boost global employability, with alumni thriving via internships abroad.

[Official program link](https://www.paris.edu/programs/undergraduate/interior-design/)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Paris College of Art's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, you'll dive into hands-on, practical learning right from the start, building real-world skills in a city that's a living inspiration for design. The program's studio-focused approach emphasizes retail and commercial spaces, where you'll develop technical expertise, creative expression, and professional methodologies through interdisciplinary projects set against Paris's iconic architecture and culture. You'll work towards a final individual project and thesis, presented to critics, capped by a mandatory six-month internship that launches you into the industry.

This experiential edge comes alive in dedicated facilities and courses tailored for interior designers:

- 3D Lab for experimenting with woodworking, plaster molding, metal sculpting, and other materials essential to spatial design.
- Printmaking Studio supporting advanced techniques like silkscreen and lithography, building on courses such as Materials & Dimensions II where you develop personal projects with instructor guidance.
- Laser Cutter for precise cuts on wood, metal, plastic, and more, ideal for prototyping interior components.
- Group projects like Creative Practice Studio (also relevant to BFA level), where teams transform real Paris spaces—residential or commercial—meeting weekly for feedback on your builds.
- Mandatory six-month internship after your thesis, preparing you for global roles in Paris or beyond, with support from PCA's Career Development Office.
- Architectural Components course exploring structures, systems (plumbing, lighting, ventilation), and sustainability through detailed studies and graphic representation.
- Access to Paris's heritage via the program's context, plus summer-inspired site sketching and sensory field explorations at parks, museums, and monuments.

Imagine turning these tools and experiences into your portfolio while networking with pros in Paris—it's the perfect launchpad. Ready to apply? Check out the full facilities list here: [Paris College of Art Facilities](https://www.paris.edu/campus-resources/facilities-on-campus/). Let's chat about your next steps!

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Paris College of Art's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, you'll dive hands-on into practical skills right from the start, building expertise in retail and commercial spaces through studio projects, technical courses, and real-world Paris-inspired challenges. The program's interdisciplinary setup blends studio creativity with classroom know-how, like exploring architectural components (structure, lighting, sustainability systems) and materials in 2D or 3D focuses, all while leveraging Paris's iconic heritage for your personal design voice. You'll cap it off with an individual thesis project presented to critics, followed by a mandatory six-month internship to jumpstart your career internationally.

This experiential approach shines through our top-notch facilities tailored for interior designers:

- 3D Lab for experimenting with woodworking, plaster molding, metal sculpting, and other materials essential to spatial design.
- Printmaking Studio supporting advanced techniques like silkscreen and lithography, building on courses such as Materials & Dimensions II for personal projects.
- Laser Cutter for precise cuts on wood, plastic, metal, and more, perfect for prototyping interior elements.
- Digital Photography Lab with color-calibrated iMacs, high-res scanners, and large-format printers to refine your visual presentations and technical drawings.
- Photography & Film Studio equipped with pro lighting and backdrops for capturing and conceptualizing space transformations.
- Access to an affiliated fab lab and 3D printing facilities for cutting-edge fabrication in your designs.
- Group projects like Creative Practice Studio, where teams redesign real Paris spaces (residential or commercial) with weekly instructor feedback.
- Field trips and on-site sketching inspired by Paris architecture, plus sensory explorations at parks, museums, and monuments to spark innovative ideas.
- Internships via the mandatory six-month post-thesis placement, plus Career Development Office support for professional networks.

These hands-on resources, combined with guest pros and Paris's design scene, will have you ready to create standout portfolios and land roles in exciting spaces. Imagine applying today and shaping the future of interiors—let's get your application rolling! Check full facilities here: https://www.paris.edu/campus-resources/facilities-on-campus/