Accreditation, Awards
and Rankings
Harrington College of Design is an independent
institution of higher learning. We are recognized as a private
college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and authorized
to confer both baccalaureate and associate degrees. Our accreditations
include:
• Member of the National Association of Schools of
Art and Design (NASAD)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program accredited
by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)
• Harrington's Interior Design Program is ranked
8th by The Almanac of Architecture and Design (2002 listing)
of all FIDER-accredited programs by over 300 employers nationwide.
We also boast a number of high achievers in both local and
national competitions. Harrington students:
• Have won four of the last six national awards presented
by the American Society of Interior Designers Yale R. Burge
Student Competition
• Annually participate in the Chicago Chapter of the
International Interior Design Association Gilbert Grants Competition,
winning many scholarships and honorable mentions
• Have won first place in the Institute of Store Planners
(ISP) International Competition
Our Campus
People the all over the world are familiar
with Chicago's Loop. And it's no surprise. It's a living museum
of public art and sculpture - with Harrington College of Design
in the very heart of it all.
Located in the historic Fine Arts Building on famed Michigan
Avenue, Harrington is spread over five floors of beauty, culture
and art. This architectural landmark - home to well-known
designers, dancers, sculptors and more - is surrounded by
such sources of inspiration as Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain,
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Merchandise Mart and the
Lyric Opera. And all are within walking distance.
Being centered in Chicago's "urban campus", public
transportation is easily accessible:
• Several city buses stop in front of the College
• The Elevated ("EL") train is one block away
• Metra commuter trains are close by
• All other commuter rail systems are within walking
distance
Instructors with Real
World Experience
The key to our reputation for producing
outstanding interior designers lies in our faculty. We provide
a vast pool of talented professionals committed to their students
as both practitioners and educators.
Currently comprised of more than 70 practitioners, our faculty
includes fine artists, interior designers, architects, photographers,
lighting experts and more. Together, these professionals provide
the real world experience that our students thrive in - and
create an atmosphere rarely found in other colleges.
The guest lectures and symposia we schedule simply add even
more value to a career in learning that's practically unmatched.
Design Library
Our Design Library offers a wealth of information
and inspiration for students and faculty. Using the barcode
on the back of your student ID, you can borrow from more than
22,000 volumes of books and materials, and over 90 professional
and trade periodicals. The Design Library Reading Room contains
a Public Access Catalog (PAC) for identifying materials, as
well as an online index for finding journal articles.
Design Library Hours: Monday through Thursday,
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday,
10:00 - 3:00.
Other Student Facilities
We also have a variety of other facilities
and resources for both students and faculty.
• Online product information
• Design Studios
• Student Lounge
• CAD Lab
• Drawing and Drafting Studios
• Off-Campus Housing
• Resource Rooms