Interior Design & Decoration Course

Love reimagining indoor spaces and have a passion for making interior design dreams a reality? Take the next step in your professional development with our online interior design course.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to build on your existing skills, this interior design course is for you. Devised in consultation with the interior decoration and design industry, it provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to turn your hobby into a career.

Explore our course breakdown below or enrol now to get started.

• Course Outline

  When you enrol on our interior design courses, you will complete the following units of study:

  1	Introduction to Interior Design and Decoration

  What is interior design?, interior design history, interior design vs interior decoration, introduction to elements of design, principles of design, workplace design with colour and light, developing a colour scheme

  2	Elements and Principles of Design

  Elements of design: line, pattern, texture, colour, area, shape, form and space

  Principles of design: discord and variety, harmony and unity, contrast and emphasis, rhythm, repetition and radiation, proportion, gradation and alternation, balance

  Elements of a decoration plan

  3	Functional and Decorative Use of Colour

  Colour planning: function of the area, existing furniture and furnishings, the style of décor, aspect and natural lighting, spatial relationships, personal taste, colour psychology, floor coverings, window treatments, furniture

  4	Lighting Effects on Colour

  Decorating with light: incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, high pressure sodium, mercury vapour, tungsten, tungsten halogen

  5	Planning a Harmonious Decorative Colour Scheme for a Client

  Planning a harmonious decorative scheme, the process of planning, the beginning of your decoration plan, notes from client briefing, results of the client briefing, displaying or presenting your proposal, types of visuals, measured survey, schedule of materials

  6	Light and Colour I

  Introduction to the science of light and colour, the luminous environment, the nature of colour

  7	Light and Colour II

  Colour and emotion, colour preferences, colour and light, optical effects, colour schemes, applying colour

  8	Light and Colour III

  Colour and emotion, colour preferences, colour and light, optical effects, colour schemes, applying colour

  9	Decorating Styles

  Colonial, country, eclectic, modern, neoclassical, Victorian, other decorating styles

  10	How to Decorate (Step by Step)

  How to: undertake space planning, determining the best layout, choose a colour scheme, determine flooring requirements, select wall treatments, determine lighting requirements, complete any repairs or renovations, select furnishings, choose window coverings, arrange the furniture, accessorise, evaluate the decorating

  11	Building Systems and Components

  Architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical

  12

  Materials

  Primary interior finish materials: concrete, masonry, stone, metals, wood, plastic, glass, wall board, tile, terrazzo, acoustic ceiling systems, resilient flooring, carpet, paint and other film-applied finishes, wallcovering, fabric and textiles

  13	Furnishings

  Furniture, window treatment, signage/graphics, accessories, art, plants

  14	Interior Planting

  Design and maintenance

  15	Job Seeking Skills

  Getting hired: job hunting materials, your portfolio, your resume and cover letter, locating jobs, advertised positions, unadvertised positions, who employs interior decorators, discussing salary

  16	Starting Your Own Interior Design Business

  How to start your interior design business, how to build your portfolio, what you’ll need, retail / wholesale supplies, choosing target markets, getting clients, how to price jobs, managing clients, working with suppliers and contractors

• How Will You Benefit?

  
  There are many benefits associated with studying our interior design course online. For example, you will:

  • Fast track your career in interior decoration and design
  • Study a programme that has been developed in consultation with industry experts
  • Work through the course material at your own pace
  • Have a personal tutor to provide advice and answer questions
  • Save time and money by studying remotely
  • Pay upfront for a 10% discount on your course fee, or choose our interest-free weekly payment plan

  Experience the benefits of our interior design online course for yourself by enrolling today!

• Career Prospects

  

  Interior design can be a highly rewarding, lucrative job that allows you to channel your creativity to make indoor spaces more beautiful, comfortable and practical. This work brings you the satisfaction of turning your vision into a reality, and making clients’ dreams come true.

  You may decide to work for an existing design company, or you have the option of setting up your own business. You could also specialise in a particular area of design, for example domestic properties or commercial premises. Whichever route you go down, your work will be varied and interesting.

  With so many consumers and businesses looking for ways to improve their properties and make the most of the spaces they have, interior designers are more in demand than ever.

  Here are just some examples of the types of businesses that need interior designers:

  

  • Advertising agencies
  • Boutique stores
  • Art galleries
  • Model homes for home builders
  • Bed and breakfasts
  • Hotels
  • Corporate head offices
  • Law firms
  • Museums
  • Restaurants

  Day-to-day tasks

  As an interior designer, you might work from home, in an office, in a studio or at clients’ businesses.

  Your day-to-day tasks could include any of the following:

  • Meeting clients to discuss their ideas, practical needs and budget
  • Developing designs, including preparing mood boards, initial sketches, etc
  • Estimating the cost of projects
  • Advising clients on everything from colour schemes and use of space to furniture choices
  • Creating detailed drawings (typically on a computer) based on initial sketches
  • Sourcing suppliers of wall and floor coverings, fabrics, furniture and fittings

  After training as an interior designer, there is also the option of working in related fields, such as exhibition design, theatre set design and visual merchandising.

• Course Levels Explained

  

  Diploma

  Our interior design course leads to the awarding of a Diploma. This qualification recognises the graduate’s capacity for initiative and judgement across a broad range of technical and management functions. Graduates typically have personal responsibility and autonomy (semi-independence) in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

• Prerequisites

  There are NO previous work or education requirements for entry into our interior design course.

  So, if you want to enhance your interior design skills and get ahead in this exciting and dynamic profession, simply register for this learning programme today.

• Course Length

  Students typically complete their course within 24 weeks.

  Enrolling on an ICI interior design course allows you to learn at your own pace. You won’t have any assignment deadlines to worry about, meaning you can decide how quickly you graduate.

  If you would like to expedite your learning, you can graduate in a matter of months. Alternatively, you can progress at a much slower pace. We allow up to three years to complete the course.

• Study Mode: Online Learning

  Our interior design course is carried out online via distance learning. Also called correspondence learning, this style of course gives you the flexibility you need to adapt your studies around existing commitments, be they family, work or anything else. You are not locked into a set timetable and can choose to study whenever and wherever you like, from anywhere in the world.

  You will have access to your own personal tutor if you have any questions or need guidance at any point during your course. And because the course is online, you won’t have to spend time and money commuting to attend lessons in person.

  Like all of our learning programmes, our interior design course has been expertly crafted to be highly practical and engaging.

• Recognition & Accreditation

  
  Our interior design course is recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC).

  
  ICI is also a design school member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). ICI students are eligible to join the IIDA as Student Members, which qualifies them for entry to trade shows and provides discounts on products.

• Already in the Profession or Industry?

  Already working as an interior designer or decorator, or in a related role? This course is for you. It will help you to advance and update your skills, contributing towards your professional development. It is one of the most practical steps you can take towards achieving a promotion.

  Note that course fees can be claimed as a tax deduction as long as the course is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

• What Do I Get?

  All the materials you need to complete our interior design course are included in the course fee. Once you enrol, you will receive:

  • All required study materials and course notes
  • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
  • A tutor who will answer all your course and career questions and provide guidance.

  Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:
  

  • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of studies and qualifications as an interior decorator and designer
  • Transcripts indicating the units completed
  • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
  • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, DipIDD)
  • Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Service Programme.

• Cut Off Date

  Friday, 29th September 2023 is the next enrolment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

  Your enrolment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish.

  Don’t miss out. Enrol today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

How do I get started?