Interior Design Courses Tips
Read these 14 Interior Design Courses Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Interior Design Degree tips and hundreds of other topics.
The Interior Design Thesis
The interior design thesis will be your last semester of design studio. This course should involve a project which is a culmination of everything you have learned throughout your interior design coursework.
You'll typically select your own topic, do extensive background research to gain knowledge about your topic, and work with an interior design instructor as you progress through the design process. The end result should be a presentation showing everything from the conceptual stage through the final construction documents of your project.
You'll create a series of models to present along with your work. An example of an interior design thesis project might be the design of a multi-family residence with an emphasis on elder design and sustainability. Through site visits, book research, and interviews, you'll learn everything you can about designing for the elderly and disabled population. Your final project should the resolution of a thorough exploration of design possibilities, discussion with your interior design instructor, and your own problem solving skills. You'll show finishes, plans, elevations, and renderings done both by hand and computer.
The Professional Practice Class
In most interior design programs, you will take a professional practice class. Here, you'll learn everything you need to know to practice as a working interior designer. Learn how to market your interior design services. Get education on the business aspects of the client and contractor relationship. In a professional practice class, you'll see how an interior design firm is run and organized. Gain valuable insight on the tools you need to manage an interior design project. You'll also get the basic knowledge you need to start and run your own interior design firm.
Boost Your Interior Design Presentation Skills with a Public Speaking Course
Interior design presentation skills are not just about eye-catching graphics, renderings and floor plans. As an interior designer, you will need to have excellent public speaking skills in order to present projects to your clients. If your school has a public speaking course, you should enroll in one to help you become a confident communicator. A public speaking course gives you the tools you need to learn to talk confidently in a roomful of scrutinizing clients. Having the communication skills to back up your interior design presentation skills will also help give you an advantage over other potential candidates when you interview for that next job.
Deciding Between Interior Design Programs
Trying to decide between the numerous interior design programs out there can be a daunting task. The best way to go about making your decision is to make up a list of schools and compare it against your wish list. Here are a few considerations to think about when choosing between interior design programs:
• Cost: Weigh the pros and cons of going to a private interior design program versus going to a public school one.
• Accreditation – It's not a requirement to attend a school accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. However, if you do, can be assured you have made an interior design education choice which meets the minimum standards to train you to be an interior designer.
• Location – Do you have easy access to your school of choice? If you don't, will you consider moving to get an interior design education?
• Reputation – Is the school known for producing quality coursework and knowledgeable, accessible faculty?
• Curriculum – Examine the coursework and determine if the program has the courses you want to take. If you know what you want to specialize in, choose from interior design programs that offer your design interest.
Interior Design Courses – What You'll Learn
Are you contemplating entering an interior design program but you want to find out what the interior design courses are like? Entering an interior design program will open up a whole new world to a creative field, but you'll also learn business practices and study technical subjects as well. Here is a list of some general topics you can expect to cover in an interior design program.
• Design – Learn how to visualize and create spaces for homes, commercial interiors, and more.
• Digital Presentation – Here, you'll find out how to use the latest technology to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional interior spaces.
• Lighting – Interior design courses in lighting allow you to explore the practical uses for lighting and its impact on a spatial level.
• Professional Practices – Interior design courses also cover the business aspects of running a design firm, organizational structure of a design firm, project management, and client marketing.
• Materials - Learn how materials impact the design of a space on both a physical and cultural level.
The Interior Design Studio
The interior design studio may be one of the most vigorous courses you will take as part of an interior design program. This class is where you will learn to put your creative talents and ability to visualize spatial relationships to use. In an interior design studio, you will typically receive an interior design project or series of projects from your instructor and then spend the rest of the semester refining your design. For instance, you may have an interior design project requiring you to design the inside space of a museum gallery with special attention to natural lighting requirements. Throughout specific phases of the design process, you can expect to give presentations to your instructor and classmates where you will receive critiques and feedback.
Be Cautious About the Interior Design Correspondence Course
If you've considered a career in interior design, you may have wondered where might be the best place to begin your education. You may have seen magazine advertisements or television commercials promoting an interior design correspondence course. It may be a tempting way to learn how to begin a career in interior design, especially if you are looking for a flexible option. However, be wary of any self-directed course, especially if it is not an accredited program or run by a reputable school. According to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), a typical self-directed interior design correspondence course does not meet the minimum educational requirements for someone to practice interior design.
Look for an Accredited Interior Design Program
Want to make sure you're getting the best possible education? When you're deciding on an interior design program, look for one that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (www.accredit-id.org), formerly known as FIDER. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation maintains national educational standards to determine if an interior design program meets the minimum requirements to train someone for an entry level position as an interior designer. If you want to know if a school is accredited, go to their Web site for a list of approved schools.
The Interior Design Studio
The interior design studio may be one of the most vigorous courses you will take as part of an interior design program. This class is where you will learn to put your creative talents and ability to visualize spatial relationships to use. In an interior design studio, you will typically receive an interior design project or series of projects from your instructor and then spend the rest of the semester refining your design. For instance, you may have an interior design project requiring you to design the inside space of a museum gallery with special attention to natural lighting requirements. Throughout specific phases of the design process, you can expect to give presentations to your instructor and classmates where you will receive critiques and feedback.
Must-Take Interior Design Elective Course
Both the interior design industry and architecture industry have a growing need for sustainable design. The U.S. Department of Labor names green design as one specialty that is in demand in the field of interior design. Once an obscure buzzword in the design realm, sustainable design now reaches every area of interior design from the materials in carpeting and counter tops to the use of natural lighting, heating, and ventilation. Many interior design programs now offer specific coursework or studio classes to familiarize students to the realm of sustainable design. If your interior design program offers an interior design elective course in green design– enroll in it.
The Interior Design Studio
The interior design studio may be one of the most vigorous courses you will take as part of an interior design program. This class is where you will learn to put your creative talents and ability to visualize spatial relationships to use. In an interior design studio, you will typically receive an interior design project or series of projects from your instructor and then spend the rest of the semester refining your design. For instance, you may have an interior design project requiring you to design the inside space of a museum gallery with special attention to natural lighting requirements. Throughout specific phases of the design process, you can expect to give presentations to your instructor and classmates where you will receive critiques and feedback.
Taking an Interior Design Course via Distance Education
Modern technology has transformed the way people can learn. If you don't have easy access to an interior design course in the classroom, consider going the distance education route. Want to brush up on continuing education courses or have other commitments that make classroom time difficult? You can find entire programs online or take specific courses. To learn more about taking an interior design course via distance education, check these resources:
• Check the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID at www.asid.org). They offer self directed electronic and text continuing education courses. Learn about everything from ADA access to finish and furniture selection.
• The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA at www.nkba.org) has a kitchen e-course where you can learn all about the kitchen planning.
• Go to the American Institute of Architects (AIA at www.aia.org). You can select a range of e-courses including business design practices, lighting design, and green design.
• Visit the Web site for All Art Schools at www.allartschools.com or Schools of Interior Design at www.schools-of-interior-design.com to find interior design programs online.
Your First Year of Interior Design Coursework
The first year of your interior design program can be daunting. If you know what to expect for your first year of interior design coursework, the transition into a new program can be much easier. A typical program could include the following:
• Interiors Studio Course – Put together your first interior design project based on a set of parameters and requirements in this introductory interior design coursework.
• Graphic Communication – Learn about perspectives, two dimensional and three dimensional techniques, and ways to communicate your design ideas.
• Materials and Methods – This course will teach you about surfaces and finishes and construction materials that go into the interior of a building or residence.
• History of the Designed Environment – Learn from previous examples of designed spaces and interiors to apply it to your current interior design project.
The Interior Design Studio
The interior design studio may be one of the most vigorous courses you will take as part of an interior design program. This class is where you will learn to put your creative talents and ability to visualize spatial relationships to use. In an interior design studio, you will typically receive an interior design project or series of projects from your instructor and then spend the rest of the semester refining your design. For instance, you may have an interior design project requiring you to design the inside space of a museum gallery with special attention to natural lighting requirements. Throughout specific phases of the design process, you can expect to give presentations to your instructor and classmates where you will receive critiques and feedback.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
