For those of you thinking about a highly lucrative career in the exciting world of interior design, there are  educational facilities that will allow you to get an interior design education through online distance learning classes. This is a convenience that many people are looking for all over the world.

You can pursue this career choice if you are creative and would like to venture into the building and real estate industry.

If finding the time to attend college is the problem, distance learning classes is a good alternative for you, especially if you are determined to pursue a great and enjoyable career that will guarantee a better future in a highly profitable, sometimes glamorous, but certainly lucrative industry.

DIPLOMA COURSE IN INTERIOR DESIGN AND INTERIOR DECORATION

The following courses will have to be completed in an interior design education to obtain a diploma at the end of your study. At your convenience, these distance learning classes allows you study at your own pace, allowing you an equal opportunity of achieving your goals wherever you may live.

Main courses (may vary very slightly from college to college):

• Style and Design
• Colour
• Surfaces and Surface Finishes
• Soft furnishings
• Lighting
• Presentations

Course materials, including powerful learning tools will be delivered directly to you and you won't have to commit to a full or part time schedule of study at a college.

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will interact with you online and by telephone. The tutor works with you and reviews all your works and assignments. You receive practical and technical information, including audio tools on CD's, with language and illustrations that's very detailed and simple to understand.

As a professional Designer, you will have the ability to create schemes that are almost timeless, having a lasting appeal. The enduring quality of style is usually a good testimony to the skill of the designer, whether it's the designers personal style and taste, or not.

A successful interior designer must have the ability to design functional, practical and stunning interiors in a variety of styles. And each and every style must reflect the tastes and ideals of each individual client.

The topics covered include:

• What makes Style

You are taught how to analyse the key elements of designs and how to identify the variety of style.

• Categories of Style

All the major designs and styles around the globe.

• Eclectic Designs

How to work and design for individual clients, going beyond style.

• Elements and Principles of Design

Shape and Form; Pattern and Texture; Rhythm and Harmony; Art and Origin; These are the building blocks of design and how to use them effectively in spaces and interiors.

• Achieving Visual Balance

Balance, Symmetrical and Asymmetrical aspects of designs.

• Space Planning and Design

Open plan designs, and the ways to plan spaces effectively. This is a major aspect of this class.

• Finishes and Accessories

Creating stunning and up to the moment designs using decorative details.

In this section of the interior design diploma course,  you will explore very important aspects of colour. You will learn how to apply it in interiors. The topics will be covered in great lengths.

One of the main reasons why many areas of design fail is because of the inability to use colour successfully. This is the most valuable tool interior designers has at their disposal. Getting the right colour balance is paramount to the success of any interior space. Clashing colours will give you a garish and cheap look. Whilst designing, the colour scheme is very important to your client, you cant afford to get it all wrong.

Some people are naturally gifted and can get creative with colours, but in most cases, the ability to use colour is a skill that can be learnt using powerful yet simple tools and techniques. The successful interior designers use this time and time again to produce winning colour combinations.

Topics covered under Colour include:

• The Science of Colours

Learn about the relationship between light and colour. Find out what light actually is and it is formed and how the relationship works.

• The Theory of Colour

Learn about the Natural Laws of colour and the ways to use them.

• Colour Combinations

Achieving successful colour combinations and how to make any colour look great.

• Characteristics of Colour

Using colour as an illusion in interior schemes, so as to disguise, emphasise or accentuate.

• Psychology of Colour

Why do colours affect us? There is an effect of colours on our emotions. Learn the importance of colour psychology to an interior designer.

• Colour Notation

Learn to understand colour so that it can be communicated into design decisions with confidence.

In Interior design parlance, the surfaces referred to here are the floors, the walls and the ceilings. They undisputedly are the largest surface areas in any interior space. Finishes chosen for them are of extreme importance and has an impact on the overall design when completed.

There are many possibilities and choices available , but practicality and functionality must be addressed so that the overall design can stand up to the stress everyday use.

Classes include:

• Walls and Ceilings

Find out about the available varieties and options. Learn about all the types of installation techniques and the impact of the materials used on your designs.

• Flooring

The most wear and tear occurs on the floor. Your choices as an interior designer will be determined by its practical implications. You will learn about soft floors, semi-hard floors and hard floors

• Wall finishes - painting and wallpapering

Learn about calculating requirements and the use of guides. These two finishes play a predominant role in the final works of an interior.

• Specialist Finishes 

Murals, Trompe l'oeil, faux finishes and other unique finishes to achieve dramatic looks.

• Kitchen Designs
  

Learn how to plan out the kitchen. The various types of layouts such as the L-shape, the U- shape, the work triangle, etc.

• Bathroom Designs

Learn how to create and use space effectively in the toilet and bathroom areas.

• Storage

How to squeeze out space for storage facilities is always essential. Learn how to maximise space for an improved living.

• Practical Planning

Learn about creating a schedule and order of work. Know how to form a logical work pattern.

In interior design and decoration, soft furnishings refer to the curtains, the cushions, sofas, rugs, etc. The importance and effects of the windows can never be overstated.

Window openings determine the view, and the amount of natural light that permeates the room. You will know how as an interior designer, the window is really about framing the outside view, as well as adding style to the interior.

You will be taught how curtains are made and fitted and how you can use simple techniques to achieve a beautiful and successful interior. You will learn about fabrics and its varied construction.

Class topics include:

• Curtains and Drapery

Curtain headings, bodies and edges and how to vary each of the three elements to make curtain designs .

• Valances and Pelmets

Learn about the many types and styles of valances and pelmets and how to use them effectively to enhance windows.

• Fabrics

Practical considerations and the ones to avoid.

• Poles, tracks and accessories

Learn which one works for what style of curtains and pelmets

• Soft furnishings and curtains (ready-made)

Learn how to use them successfully.

• Ways of using fabrics

Which fabric to use for what soft furnishing, such as beds, upholstery, chairs, etc.

Lighting is used primarily to light up a place, but skilfully to draw attention to decorative details. It’s a great way also to create mood and atmosphere. Studies have proved that they are known to enhance health and well being.

In your interior design online classes, you will learn the different approaches to lighting and the appropriate choices and different types. At the end of your lighting course, you will be able to incorporate lighting into your interior scheme successfully, and possess the tools to communicate professionally  with electricians and architects.

The following topics that will be covered include:

• Natural and Artificial lighting

Learn to create effects using natural light on mirrors, glass, stainless steel etc. See the varied effects of lighting and how to use them effectively.

• Quality of Light

About bulbs light fixtures and fittings.

• Adaptation Levels

How to choose appropriate levels of light for different requirements

• Technicalities of lighting

The relevant lighting used in commercial and residential spaces.

• Wiring and Switches

Practical and safety considerations

• Electrical planning and Specifications
• Preparing instructions that are clear for interpretations by electricians and contractors.

After envisioning each step of the design process in your minds eye, this then has to be communicated through plans, specifications, and mood boards. These are then presented effectively and professionally to clients and contractors.

Your scaled drawings and mood boards you work on are important because they allow you to experiment with different layouts, design options and colour schemes before making your final decision.

This section of the course will teach you how to create impressive presentations that helps put your idea forward and sell your ideas. Presentations illustrate your skill as a professional Interior Designer.

Topics covered in this course include:

• Design Preliminaries

You are taught about meeting your client and defining their design requirements. This is more of an in-depth dialogue period to know exactly what goes on in your clients mind as per what they need done.

•  Visual Communication

Exactly what this means - using your sample boards and the mood boards to enable clients flow with your design ideas.

• Site measurements/Surveying

Teaches you how to do site measurements and records relevant details you will need during the development of your concept.

• Scaling of Drawings

Step by step drawings to show you how to produce scaled plans, elevations and sectional drawings in a professional manner.

• Briefs and Specifications

How to present clear and detailed instructions for contractors to enable them easily interpret and produce your designs.

• Contracts

You will learn how to deal as a professional interior designer with clients, suppliers and contractors

• Pricing

Learn how to price and what to charge your clients.

The duration of the interior design education as a distance learning student is between 12 to 18 months. Most online colleges permit students up to 18 months to go through and complete the program. However, most student learning this course online complete it within 12 months.

Remember you can manage your time effectively, and work extra hours at it if you so wish. But if you need more time, this can be worked out amicably depending on the college you enrol with.

If you can commit as much as 10 hours every week, consistently, you can complete the program within 9 to 12 months.

So, if you are interested in being a professional interior designer with an emphasis on designing interiors primarily for residential clients, this professional interior design education program is for you.

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