About the Interior Architectural Design Program
Build a Framework for a Solid Career in Interior Architectural Design.
Santa Monica College boasts an award-winning interior architectural design program within the Design Technology department located at the cutting-edge Center for Media and Design. Explore a creative career in interiors or set design for the entertainment industry. Our program applies artistic and functional design techniques to professional planning, design, and furnishing for residential and commercial spaces, as well as for film and television.
Interior architectural design at SMC provides a thorough and analytical foundation from which you will examine not only design innovation, but also functionality and safety. Learn hand sketching as well as digital rendering and production skills using industry-standard software, including CAD, Revit, Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, and more. We offer specialty courses in environmental design, lighting design, production design for film and television, and building and interior codes.
With on-campus and fully online program options, SMC offers a format that works for you.
Find the path that fits your personal needs and professional goals:
Degrees and Certificates
Associate in Science Degree - Interior Architectural Design
48 units + General Education requirements
Certificate of Achievement - Interior Architectural Design
48 units
This program provides a thorough and analytical foundation of the Interior Architectural Design field that will enable students to practice professionally and serve their community with safe, functional, and innovative interior spaces. Students will develop employment skills in hand sketching and visualization, digital production skills using software such as CAD and Revit, specifications of surface materials and furniture. Significant academic and professional career-focused electives are offered in green design, lighting design, interior codes, and production design for film and TV. We offer a wide range of digital modeling and rendering courses, such as Photoshop, SketchUp, Rhino, and 3D Studio Max.
Certificate of Achievement - Interior Architectural Design Fundamentals
18 units
This program provides a series of foundation courses in Architecture and Interior Architectural Design. Students will gain a broad overview and acquire fundamental skills needed in the design profession. This would be the first of two tier stackable certificate program specializing in Interiors or Architectural Design.
Department Certificate - Digital Production and Design
15 Units
This program provides students with hands-on education using industry-standard digital tools. The coursework focuses on the skills necessary for digital production and design using CAD technology, BIM technology, solid modeling techniques, rendering, animation, and digital image enhancement. Students will be prepared to work in a wide range of design disciplines, including interior design firms, architecture firms, fixture and furnishing design firms, and 3D rendering firms.
SMC Resources
Potential Career Options

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