Certificate of Interior Design

Unit 1: Introduction to Interior Design A and B

• The interior design industry
• The roles of an interior designer
• Skills for interior designers
• Career opportunities
• Interior designers
• Interior stylists
• Design principles
  • Balance
  • Proportion
  • The golden ratio
  • Scale
  • Rhythm and repetition
  • Emphasis
  • Harmony and unity
• Spatial planning and functionality
  • Zoning
  • Traffic flow and circulation
  • Proportion and scale
  • Multi-functionality and adaptability
• The psychology of space and how design affects mood
• Cultural influences in interior design
• Psychology of design: mood and behaviour
• Understanding client needs and project planning
• Creating design briefs
• Executing the vision

Unit 2: Colour, Light and Atmosphere

• Understanding colour psychology
• Understanding the colour wheel
• Hue, tint, shade and tone
• Cool and warm colours
• Undertones
• Creating colour palettes and schemes
• Natural light
• Artificial light
• Ambient lighting
• Task lighting
• Accent lighting
• Using light to shape mood and perception
• Perception of space
• Creating atmosphere with tone, texture and lighting
• Interior design styles

Unit 3: Furniture, Décor and Materials

• Selecting furniture by style and function
• Scale and layout
• Layering textures and materials
• Combining materials
• Paint
• Wallpaper and other wall treatments
• Window treatments
• Mixing and matching styles
• Quality and durability
• Styling with rugs, cushions, art and mirrors
• Final touches and accents

Unit 4: Interior Styling for Everyday Living

• Styling with lifestyle in mind
• Balancing practicality aesthetic
• Practical styling tricks
• Shelf styling
• Useful but aesthetic enhancements
• Functional living room layouts
• Restyling with what you already have
• Rearranging, repurposing and editing
• Knowing what to remove
• Inspiration from second hand finds
• Seasonal styling
• Personalising without clutter
• Balancing real life with styling
• Finishing touches
• Styling on a budget
• Storage and styling

Unit 5: Creating Mood Boards and Design Concepts

• What are design concepts?
• Importance of design concepts
• Mood boards
• Concept boards
• Gathering inspiration and defining vision
• Mood boards and what to include
• Using boards to guide styling and client conversations
• Types of design boards and how to make them

Unit 6: Room-by-Room Design and Styling

• Living areas
• Kitchens
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Dining areas
• Entryways and hallways
• How to style with cohesion

Unit 7: Sourcing, Budgeting and Managing Styling Projects

• Client briefs and consultations
• Sourcing furniture, décor and materials
• Tips for sourcing effectively
• Creating and managing budgets
• Budget examples
• Planning and managing the styling process
• Delivering a professional styling outcome
• Helping clients clarify their brief

Unit 8: Starting Your Own Interior Styling Business 

• Defining your services
• Example service menus
• Setting up a business
• Building your portfolio
• Example portfolios
• Establishing an online presence
• Finding your first clients
• What to expect when running a business