Interior design is an exciting and challenging career and an opportunity to work in a creative industry. Whether taking on a personal project or aspiring to become an interior designer, this course is ideal professional development for you.
The Certificate of Interior Design is a professional development program that provides a foundation in interior design to apply to real-world projects.
In this interior design course, you will learn about the interior design process, from taking the design brief to conceptualisation and execution. You will also discover how to manipulate design elements, such as furnishings and accessories, colour, lighting and symmetry, to create aesthetically pleasing spaces.
You will also learn about computer-assisted design (CAD), technical drawing, psychological principles of interior design, budgeting and project management and ethical and legal considerations in interior design.
On completion of this course, you will have a foundation understanding of how to create functional and attractive interiors for many spaces.
Course Structure
Unit - Interior Design Fundamentals
Unit 1 – Scope and Nature of Interior Design
- Planning and design of interior spaces
- Interior designers & skills required
- History of interior design
- Popular styles
- Trends in decoration
- Influential components
- Decoration with plants
- Decorating with colour
- Colour theory
- Decorating with texture
- Wabi-sabi (Japanese arts)
- Decorating with pattern
- Decorating with artwork
- Decoration with features
- Key principles
- Other influential design components
- Acoustics, lighting, space, configuration, symmetry
Unit 2 – Choosing Components
- Components of a design
- Paints and paint types
- Interior vs exterior use
- Hard materials. Metal etc – glass, masonry, polymers, stone, tiles, plasterboard
- Floor treatments
- Finishes
- Soft materials and accessories
- Choosing furnishings
- Window coverings
- Choosing hardware
- Design brief (work in progress)
- Preparing colour samples and materials boards
- Preserving nature in interior design
- Indoor/outdoor rooms and spaces
- Using and placing indoor plants
Unit 3 – Choosing Services
- Types of services -electricity, gas, water, telecommunications
- Heating and cooling
- Managing heat transfer
- Heating options
- Hot water systems
- Lighting
- Ambient lighting
- Task lighting
- Accent lighting
- Electrical outlets & light switches
- Telephone and internet
- Water supply
- Other services
- Smart building solutions
- Robots for cleaning
- Collaboration in creative processes
- Developing relationships & managing people
- Working with professional services – architects, accountants etc
- Managing productivity to get the job to completion
- On site safety
- Licensing requirements
Unit 4 – Redesigning an Occupied or Aged Building
- Ethics and legal considerations
- Ethics for an interior design consultant
- Ethics of building preservation
- Building regulations
- Planning consent
- Heritage and conservation areas
- Evaluating the site
- Creativity
- Determining a client goals
- Brain storming
- Know your clients design – wants and needs
- Determine customer motivation
- Types of change – restoration, renovation or design
- Redecoration – colour, texture and pattern
- Reorganisation/altering space
- Drawing floor plans
- Using computer aided design (CAD)
- Create a CAD project
Unit 5 – Designing a Vacant or New Building
- Role of a designer
- Colour and aesthetics
- Physical features
- Practical features
- Luxury features and quality
- Resources
- Structures -considering size, level, straightness, type of materials
- Sound and sound proofing
- Acoustic panels
- Properties of different materials – thermal, electrical, environmental, economic, etc
- Technology in design
- Sensors and robotics in new home design
- A note on temperature sensors
- Moving to an internet-based digital infrastructure in homes and workplaces
- Design simulation
- CAD design process
Unit 6 – Altering Spaces
- Working with a brief
- Spatial awareness
- Photos, sketches, accurate measurements
- Levelling
- Using computer software
- Spatial planning
- Use of space – storage, work, social, private
- Design considerations – axis lines, focal points
- Creating flow
- Creating specific areas
- Using views
- Functionality, proportion, scale
- The kitchen triangle design
- Altering existing spaces -extensions, conversions
- Recreating original styles
- Workplace interiors.
Unit 7 – Organising the Interior
- Design decisions for organising space – harmony, unity, balance, scale, proportion, rhythm, contrast, details
- Reorganisation
- Temporary or permanent change
- Creating ambience
- Reorganising furnishings
- Maximising Use of space -decluttering, distancing, space saving furniture, using smaller items, using walls, visual effects
- Storage Example – butlers pantry
- Creating open plan spaces
Unit 8 – Designing for Health and Wellbeing
- Interior materials for better health – paints, natural paint
- Biological factors – mould bacteria, rots, other fungi
- Glues and Adhesives
- Fabrics
- Feng Shui
- Biophilic design
- Green design
- Green materials
- Energy efficient buildings
- Quality of indoor environment
- Ergonomic design
- Psychology in interior design (light space colour and design)
Unit 9 – Budgeting and Project Management
- Budgeting priorities, timing, feasibility
- Managing a project
- Implementing an operational plan
- Controlling a project
- Creating a GANTT chart
- Producing project documentation
- Critical path analysis
- Record keeping
- Contracts and agreements
- Invoicing
- Bad debts
- Cash flow
- Initiation a collection
Unit 10 – Special Project
- Four parts to this project
- Choose a room to design
- Research design considerations
- Prepare a design
- Report on your design
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Aspiring interior designers
- Artists, designers
- Furniture retailers
- Property managers and estate agents
- Painters/decorators, builders and other trades people
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