What are the key features of top interior design courses? And how do you know which one is right for you? Read on to find out!
When deciding which interior design course to study, the choice can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be hard to know which school or institution is the one that will help you meet your specific goals. You may have questions like- Will the course help me find a job? Will I be able to study part-time? How much will it cost? Do I need mentorship?
If this sounds like where you’re at right now, then you’re in the right place to get all the answers you need. In this article, we’re going to run through all the essential qualities to look for in a top interior design course as well as go over the key questions to consider when you make your decision.
Here’s what we’ll be covering:
Contents:
- 1) What does an interior designer do?
- 2) How can an interior design course help you?
- 3) Questions to ask yourself before looking for an interior design course
- 4) Things to consider when choosing a top interior design course
- 5) Tips to help you choose the best interior design course
- 6) Conclusion
1. What does an interior designer do?
An interior designer works with interior design principles, theory, and best practices to transform indoor living and working areas into attractive, functional, accessible and safe spaces that meet the needs and preferences of the individuals who reside or work in them. They achieve this by making informed decisions about the space, lighting, furnishings, textiles, color schemes, and accessories, in doing so bringing out a room’s full potential and enhancing any existing features.
Interior designers work intimately with clients and customers, getting to know their motivations for designing or redesigning a space and fully understanding their vision for a space. Each renovation must meet both the aesthetic and functional requirements of a client, while still complying with health and safety legislation and accessibility guidelines.
To know in-depth about what an interior designer does as well as the theories, principles, and best practices that guide the interior design space, here’s a guide you can consider: The Ultimate Guide to Interior Design
2. How can an interior design course help you?
An interior design course is a great way to onboard the skills you need to become a professional interior designer. For individuals with a personal rather than professional interest in the subject, a course is a chance to learn more about the field to pursue hobby projects.
For those looking to launch a new career or refresh their professional interior design skills, many courses teach students the principles, history, software, and theory that are needed to succeed as an interior designer, combined with hands-on projects that can contribute to a portfolio of work. In addition, it’s becoming more common for interior design courses to offer career guidance, job application assistance, interview practice, and even job placements as part of their study packages.
An interior design course is also a great way to build a supportive, professional network. Students have the chance to get to know other students, alumni, and teaching staff who can provide valuable advice and support, both throughout the course and beyond.
Finally, the majority of interior design courses support students as they build professional portfolios. Through project work, placements, and assignments, students are able to put together a portfolio that they can use to showcase their work. A portfolio is invaluable in the world of design, and both potential employers and clients will expect to be able to see the projects a candidate has already worked on as well as get a sense of their style and methods.
3. Questions to ask yourself before looking for an interior design course
Before you start looking at different courses, it’s worth asking yourself the following questions to get clarity on what it is you actually need or want from your course.
What are your goals?
It’s important to establish your goals before you start looking into interior design courses. This is because if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to achieve through a course, it’s much harder for you to pinpoint which course has all the elements you need.
It can be helpful to make a list of reasons why you want to study. For example, are you simply looking to learn some interior design techniques to improve your own home? Or are you hoping to start an interior design business?
Below we’ve outlined some of the most common reasons people choose to study interior design, and the elements of a course you’ll want to look out for if these reasons apply to you.
New career in the industry
If you’re looking to launch a brand new career as an interior designer, you’ll need to look for an in-depth course that covers interior design theory, hands-on projects, portfolio creation, and career support. Without any previous relevant experience or skills, you’ll need to ensure that the course you choose prepares you for a new career and is aimed at helping you land your first job in the field.
Career advancement in the current industry
If you’re already working in interior design but are looking to study further to boost your chances of getting a promotion or a more senior role, you’ll want to look for a course that refreshes your current skills, provides teaching in the latest tools and technology, and offers specialization modules in areas that could strengthen your portfolio. A course for complete beginners or career changers will likely be too basic for someone with substantial industry experience, so you’ll need to narrow your search to courses from specialists that add to and develop your current skill set.
Hobby / personal home improvement
If you’re hoping to learn about interior design in order to revamp your own home or even just a particular room, a course covering popular interior design styles and how to incorporate basic interior design principles into your home will likely meet your needs. You may want to avoid full-time or certificate courses as these are likely to be too in-depth for a hobbyist and instead take a look at more beginner-friendly online resources such as blogs or instructional videos.
Starting your own business
Numerous courses offer business management modules as well as guidance for those wanting to work freelance as interior designers. If you already have experience in the field, you’ll want to choose a course that focuses solely on the business side, whereas those who are also new to the whole topic of interior design will need to first receive a full education in the field before undertaking business and management training on top.
What’s your budget?
Before you start looking at courses, you’ll want to establish how much you’re willing to spend on your interior design education or training. While there are a lot of free learning resources out there, many courses–particularly those which prepare students for their first positions in interior design–tend to incur costs.
Let’s take a look at the options available to you depending on your budget.
Free options
For those interested in interior design as a hobby or simply seeking inspiration for their own homes, there are numerous free resources available for learning more about this fascinating field. While the many interior design blogs and podcasts out there are a fun way to learn about interior design practices and trends, there are also numerous free courses hosted by the likes of YouTube, Coursera, edX, FutureLearn , Skillshare , and Howcast which go into more depth and can provide a great starting point for those considering this profession before they progress onto a paid course.
Payment plans
Numerous interior design courses offer payment plans for students who wish to study with them but can’t afford to pay the whole course fee upfront. Payment plans vary, but some schools allow students to pay small monthly installments instead of a large one-off fee, while others offer multiple small payments over time that add up to slightly more than if students choose a one-time payment option. Finally, some schools request a larger upfront payment with subsequent smaller monthly payments.
One-off payment options
Most online schools and training programs offer students the chance to pay their fees in full before they start studying. While paying upfront involves parting with more money in one go than an installment payment plan, some courses offer small reductions to those who pay in full to mitigate this negative element.
Which course format suits you best?
These days, interior design courses come in many shapes and sizes . Part-time, full-time, online, offline, and hybrid options are now commonplace to meet the different needs of students. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Part-time
The part-time courses consist of lessons and projects which occupy only part of the usual working day or week.
Pros of part-time courses:
- Great for those who are holding down a job while they study, as part-time courses allow time for both.
- Suits those with familial responsibilities who cannot commit to a full-time course.
- Provides more time to complete project work.
- Gives students the chance to take part in volunteer or freelance work on the side to further build up their experience.
Cons of part-time courses:
- Requires more time for students to complete their courses.
- Less intensive form of study.
Full-time
Full-time courses consist of lessons and projects which typically occupy a full working week.
Pros of full-time courses:
- Students complete their courses in a shorter length of time than if they study part-time.
- It’s an immersive way to learn which enables students to really absorb they’re learning and figure out how to apply it.
- Students fully concentrate on interior design without external distractions or juggling multiple responsibilities.
Cons of full-time courses:
- Requires commitment and focus from students to see the course through.
- Students need to be free of other responsibilities to take on a full-time course.
Online
Online courses are conducted over the Internet, with lessons, resources, and teaching available to students via an online learning environment.
Pros of online courses:
- Increased accessibility. This is particularly useful for students who do not live close to a suitable institution or have accessibility limitations.
- Students can take part from anywhere so long as they have a working internet connection.
- Students have all of their resources at their fingertips.
- Video lectures can be watched as many times as each student needs to understand the content.
Cons of online courses:
- Students may feel they miss out on not having an in-person student community or being able to attend in-person events.
- Some students may prefer to learn in a real-life setting.
- Interaction with other students can vary significantly between online and in-person courses, with some perhaps finding that their fellow students are less interactive in an online course than those that take place in a real-world setting.
Offline
Offline courses are conducted in brick-and-mortar institutions such as colleges and universities.
Pros of offline courses:
- Students get the chance for one-to-one real-world interaction with teachers and other students.
- Students benefit from events and meetups organized by their schools.
- Classroom-based lessons can provide opportunities for students to learn from each other.
Cons of offline courses:
- Strict timetables mean that some individuals won’t be able to attend due to other responsibilities
- Being limited to one location can mean that those who aren’t living nearby cannot participate in the course.
- A busy classroom environment can be distracting for some types of learners.
Hybrid
Hybrid courses are when students can attend lessons both in person and online.
Pros of hybrid courses:
- Students benefit from the flexibility that comes with online learning without missing out on real-life social, professional, and learning opportunities.
- Students can access lessons irrespective of their physical ability or location.
- Hybrid learning offers new ways to engage students, both on and offline, thereby increasing student engagement and supporting a wider range of learning styles.
Cons of hybrid courses:
- Students need to have good organizational skills to make the most out of hybrid courses and ensure they schedule time for both in-person and online learning.
- Some students may prefer to stick to one type of learning over another.
What’s your learning style?
We all have different learning styles. Some of us learn more effectively with images, others through listening, others through reading and writing, and some by experiential activities. Having a good grasp on which learning style you have will help you ascertain which type of interior design course best suits you and will lead you to your full potential. Let’s dive a little deeper into the most commonly-recognized learning styles known as VARK (Visual, Auditory, Read & Write, and Kinesthetic), so you can see which style (or multiple styles) applies to you.
Visual
If you’re a visual learner, you learn most effectively by seeing. The learning tools which most help you to understand topics and develop your skills include illustrations, videos, and diagrams. If you’re interested in aesthetics and visual arts and find that visualizing information helps you to remember it better, it could well be that you’re a visual learner.
Auditory
Auditory (or aural) learners find that it’s by hearing information that they have the most successful learning outcomes. An auditory learner typically enjoys lectures, podcasts, and audio interviews when trying to learn about a new subject. If you create songs or read texts out loud to help you remember information, you might find that you’re an auditory learner.
Read & Write
Learners whose preference lies in absorbing information displayed as words fall into the “Read and Write” category of learners. Writing lists, researching word definitions and synonyms, and reading textbooks are common methods adopted by read-and-write learners. If you enjoy taking a lot of notes when reading books or attending lectures, or you get a lot out of supplementary reading materials and pamphlets, you are likely to be a read-and-write learner.
Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic learners (also known as tactile learners) find that learning by doing is a successful way for them to absorb and retain information. Individuals who enjoy applied tasks, such as woodwork and cooking, or get a lot out of manipulating different materials may well be kinesthetic learners. Courses that offer extensive hands-on experience particularly benefit those with this learning style.
4. Things to consider when choosing a top interior design course
Teaching led by industry experts
Many courses offer teaching in interior design that is led by industry experts; these are individuals who have carved out their own impressive careers in the field, and can pass on their extensive experience of working as successful interior designers to students. While interior design theory is certainly a valuable part of knowing your craft, gaining rich insights from those who have been there and succeeded cannot be understated.
Instruction in interior design history, principles, and theory
The backbone of any study of interior design should always be the principles, theory, and history that make up the practice. This foundational knowledge guides students through their design work and decision-making and provides valuable reference points they can always come back to in order to ensure their designs are of the highest industry standard. For this reason, you’ll want to ensure that the top interior design course you choose contains these crucial elements in its curriculum.
Hands-on project work
While every interior designer should have in-depth knowledge of interior design principles and theory, this base knowledge should always go hand-in-hand with practical skills and best practices. Many courses offer their students the opportunity to complete hands-on project work and assignments in order for students to learn how to apply the theory they’ve learnt in a real-world setting, develop their hands-on skills, and be fully prepared for a career in the field.
Portfolio creation
A professional portfolio is an interior designer’s showpiece for attracting new clients and impressing potential employers. For this reason, many top interior design courses support and assist their students as they create portfolios consisting of course projects and assignments, as well as any voluntary activities related to their studies. Upon course completion, students then have a professional portfolio to help them find work and share their accomplishments with clients and hiring managers. Here are some portfolios from AND learners for reference:
- Residential Interior Design Project by Jaladhi Shah
- Commercial Interior Design Project by Sunali Khjuria
Instruction in the latest tools and technology
With interior design technology and software advancing all the time, it’s important to choose a course that is up to date on the latest tools of the trade. Technology which interior design students will need to be familiar with includes 2D and 3D modeling, digital sketching, staging tools, virtual reality, and customer and project management systems, to name just a few.
Mentoring
Are you someone who is self-motivated? Or do you work best with regular feedback and encouragement? For students who are looking for a more supported learning experience, mentoring is a big factor when selecting which interior design course to choose. A mentor can ensure each student is on track, provide direct feedback on project work, and answer any career or industry questions.
Student and alumni community
Getting support and advice from a student and alumni community is invaluable when studying for an interior design course, and many schools now offer online and in-person opportunities for their students to engage with one another. A student community can keep you motivated, offer assistance, and become part of your professional network while you’re starting out in your career.
Career guidance
If you’re taking an interior design course to launch a career in the field, you’ll want to find a course that assists you beyond just getting the right education. A number of top interior design schools offer dedicated career guidance which can include help with job applications and interviews, as well as provide advice on going freelance or starting your own interior design business.
Networking opportunities
While networking opportunities for interior designers are available via platforms such as MeetUp and EventBrite, some courses also organize networking opportunities for their students as part of their programs. These might include informal social gatherings for students or panel talks with industry leaders which include a networking element for attendees. Networking is a great way to get connected to others in the field, learn about job opportunities, and get inspired by those a few steps ahead of you on their career path.
Job placement
Finding your first job in the field of interior design is no walk in the park. That’s why lots of courses now offer job placement as part of their learning packages, with many teaming up with local interior design companies to offer work experience or internships. Some courses even offer money-back guarantees if students don’t find a job within a specific length of time after completing their courses.
Accreditation
While your portfolio will be crucial for demonstrating your skills and experience as a budding interior designer, accreditation from an established institution will go a long way towards impressing potential employers too. Completing a course to a certain standard shows your commitment to your chosen field and that you have the skills and practical experience necessary to excel in your first interior design role.
5. Tips to help you choose the best interior design course
Here are our top tips to help you choose the right interior design course for you.
Do your research
When choosing an interior design course, it’s important to spend time researching your options. You’ll want to compare curriculums, teaching styles, learning formats, student reviews, job placement support, and pricing, to name just a few of the variables that might influence your decision. Comparison and review websites can be helpful here. In the UK, FindCourses is a good place to start your research, while in India, Shiksha provides helpful course comparisons and reviews.
Consider visiting a campus
If you’re thinking about attending a college in person, as opposed to or in addition to studying online, visiting campuses will be an important part of your decision-making. You’ll get an immediate feel for the environment where you might be studying, have the chance to talk to faculty members and students, get to know what resources are available, and assess any potential challenges you may encounter if you were to become a student there.
Reach out to current students
If you have the chance, it’s a good idea to ask current students about their experiences of a course. Questions you might want to ask include: How do they find the teaching? Do they think they’ll get a job with the skills they’ve learned? How supportive is the learning environment? If you’re unable to contact anyone directly, reading online reviews can be another good way to gauge how students feel about a course, school, or university.
Consider the long-term prospects
When choosing where to study, it’s important to be clear with yourself about your goals. Are you hoping to become an interior designer with a firm, work freelance, or simply use your skills to improve your own home? When you know what you want to get out of a course, you’ll find it easier to narrow down which institute best suits your needs. If a course seems to be more suited to interior design hobbyists and you want to build a career in the field then you’ll know to look elsewhere.
Get to know the instructors
Many colleges and courses offer students the opportunity to meet instructors either face-to-face or online before committing to a program. Getting to know the instructors gives you a chance to ask questions about the course and how it’s taught, as well as ease any nerves you might have about starting a new program of learning.
Check out portfolio projects
If you’re hoping to build a professional interior design portfolio during your course, it’s worth checking out the body of work that students of different courses have produced during their studies. When comparing portfolios, look closely at the type of projects covered and the level of professionalism brought to each portfolio. Although standards will differ from student to student, you may find some courses get better results from their students overall than others.
Do a pros and cons list
It may seem like a cliché, but writing a pros and cons list can be very helpful when making an important decision like where to study. You’ll want to include your own preferences and goals, as well as particular things you liked or didn’t like about the courses you looked into. Maybe one instructor really stood out for you, or another course got rave student reviews. A pros and cons list will help you make an informed decision about which institution suits your particular needs and preferences.
6. Next Steps
We hope our rundown of what to look for in a top interior design course has provided you with helpful pointers and advice for your own course search. If you’d like to find out more about studying for an interior design course, check out AND Academy’s interior design certificate courses and diplomas. Here are some additional resources for assistance:
- Watch this session by Snehanshu Mukherjee, Founding Partner at T.E.A.M and Mansi Almadi, an Interior Designer at Studio Lotus
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Check out our Interior Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
