To be aware that design both shapes and is shaped by our surroundings.

Environmental Awareness: To develop an awareness of the impact of design decisions on the environment.

Technological Advances: To create an awareness of the many materials, construction, treatments, and finishes that are available to designers today.

Consumer Knowledge: To make informed consumer decisions based on cost, expected performance, and practical use of interior design decisions.

Independent Learning: To apply basic design fundamentals to develop an aesthetic environment in which we live. To recognize, organize, analyze, and solve design problems in order to create an aesthetic, functional environment.

Careers and Employment: To explore a variety of post-secondary and career opportunities that exist in the field of interior design today.

Interior Design allows students to gain an appreciation of the design fundamentals that form the foundation by which all design is judged. Learning how to manipulate and apply the tools of design in a variety of situations in the home is a major focus throughout the course of study. Opportunities for creative application of design fundamentals are provided in the Application of Design module.

Interior design components and treatments are examined as they apply to design interiors in residential and commercial buildings. Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, furniture, and accessories are discussed in relation to application principles and construction studied in the course. Decorating trends from the past to today are discussed in relation to availability, use, selection, and practicality of materials as students seek to evaluate what is good design.

Foundational objectives are the major, general statements that guide what each student is expected to achieve for the modules of the PAA curriculum guidelines. Foundational objectives are the broad, overarching knowledge, skills, attitudes/values, and abilities objectives in a subject. Both the Foundational Objectives for Interior Design 30 and the Common Essential Learnings (CELs) Foundational Objectives to be emphasized are stated in this document. Some of these statements may be repeated or enhanced in different modules for emphasis. The Foundational Objectives of the Core Modules of the Interior Design 30 curriculum include:

• To gain a broad foundation of design fundamentals.
• To apply design fundamentals to develop an aesthetic and functional living space.
• To develop an awareness of the factors that determine the appropriateness of successful design.
• To examine and evaluate materials used in design interiors to fulfil human needs and expressions in a living space.
• To develop an awareness of career and employment opportunities related to the field of interior design.
• To learn by listening to and interviewing people in the home and community.
• To use language (listening, speaking, reading, writing) for differing audiences and purposes that are relevant to the students and to interior design.
• To understand and use the vocabulary, structures, and forms of expression that characterize interior design.
• To interpret floor plans by applying knowledge of numbers and scale and understanding their interrelationships.
• To integrate classroom learning with work-related learning.
• To gain an awareness of the post-secondary programs available in Canada in the field of interior design.

Common Essential Learning Foundational Objectives are specified also.

The Interior Design 30 course is designed to be offered in a classroom setting or combined with an industry worksite. The course may be offered as a full credit course with 100 hours of classroom instruction or with a 25-50 hour optional module in a work study and 75 hours of classroom instruction. There are 16-32 hours of core modules identified for the Interior Design courses. Optional modules may be selected to complete the remaining hours for the 68-84 hours of study.

The optional work study component provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a workplace setting and further develop career exploration. The work study component will be determined by arrangement with the employer, student, and teacher monitor. For more detailed information on the work study component, see the Work Study guidelines found in the Practical and Applied Arts Handbook.

Career exploration, transition to work, and a smooth transition from high school to post-secondary education programs are important goals in all PAA courses of study. This course is a Practical and Applied Arts option within the specified electives at the Secondary Level.