Interior Design Fundamentals

Study Interior Design online. Self paced foundation course. Learn to design your own home or build your skills to work in the interior design industry.

Course Code: BSS203
Fee Code: S3
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
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Learn to Design Interior Spaces

  • for homes, Offices, Commercial buildings, any interiors
  • a  solid foundation for anyone working with interior décor, furniture or design

 

Who Should Study this?

  • Aspiring interior designers
  • Artists, designers
  • Furniture retailers
  • Property managers and estate agents
  • Painters/decorators, builders and other trades people.

 

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

  1. Scope and Nature of Interior Design
    • Introductory Considerations
    • Interior Designers & Skills Required
    • History of Interior Design
    • Popular Styles
    • Trends
    • Decorating with Colour
    • Decorating with Texture
    • Wabi-sabi
    • Decorating with Pattern
    • Decorating with Artwork
    • Decoration with Features
    • Principles
    • Other Influential Design Components
  2. Choosing Components
    • Introduction
    • Paints
    • Hard Materials. metal etc - glass, masonry, polymers, stone, tiles, plasterboard
    • Floor Treatments
    • Finishes
    • Soft Materials and Accessories
    • Choosing Furnishings
    • Window Coverings
    • Design Brief
    • Preparing Colour Samples and Materials Boards
    • Preserving Nature in Interior Design
    • Indoor/Outdoor Rooms and Spaces
    • Using and Placing Indoor Plants
  3. Choosing Services
    • Introduction
    • 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
    • On site Safety
  4. Redesigning an Old Building
    • Ethics and Legalities
    • Ethics of Building Preservation
    • What is Regulated
    • Planning Consent
    • Heritage and Conservation Areas
    • Evaluating the Site
    • Creativity
    • Determining a Client Goals
    • Changes? - Restoration, Renovation or Design
    • Redecoration
    • Reorganisation/Altering Space
    • Drawing Floor Plans
  5. Designing a 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
    • Design Simulation
    • CAD Design Process
  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.
  7. Organising the Interior
    • Introduction
    • Design Decisions for Organising Space - Harmony, unity, balance, scale, proportion, rythm, contrast, details
    • Reorganisation
    • Temporary or Permenant 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
  8. Designing for Health & Wellbeing
    • Introduction
    • Interior Materials for Better Health - paints, natural paint
    • Managing Bacteria, Rots, other Biological Hazards
    • Adhesives, Fabrics
    • Feng Shui
    • Biophilic Design
    • Green Design
    • Ergonomics
    • The Psychology of Interior Design
  9. Budgeting
    • Budgeting Priorities, Timing, Feasibility
    • Managing a Project
    • Implementing an Operational Plan
    • Controlling a Project
    • Creating a GANTT Chart
    • Critical Path Analysis
    • Invoicing
    • Bad Debts
  10. Special Project
    • Four parts to this project
    • Choose a room to design
    • Research design considerations
    • Prepare a design
    • Report on your design

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Describe different styles of interior design and their relationship to aesthetic and functional criteria, relative to varied historical and cultural contexts.
  • Discuss options and criteria used to choose the components used in an interior design including furnishings, wall and floor treatments, colour choices and decoration.
  • Determine services to be incorporated into an interior and where to install them.
  • Determine options for interior improvements in an old interior and compare the possibilities.
  • Determine options for interior development of a new interior and compare the possibilities.
  • Explain how spatial awareness and spatial planning skills can be used to alter spaces.
  • Explain how an interior might be improved by reorganisation of the components that already exist.
  • Explain how an interior can be designed to more conducive to the wellbeing of the occupants.
  • Prepare a budget for an Interior Design
  • Create a design for two rooms.

THIS COURSE RELATES TO ANY INTERIORS - HOMES, SHOPS, OFFICES, ANYWHERE

Good interior design ensures that the space in which we live, and work is suitable for its purpose. An office should be designed so that it helps workers to focus and pay attention in a light environment. A bedroom should be designed to be relaxing, and perhaps romantic. The design should suit the needs and wants of the individual(s) who is going to use the room.

When considering the needs of the individual, we should consider what anyone using the room might need, and match that with a number of different considerations including aesthetics, function, budget and maintenance requirements.

Good design is a balancing act - considering everything, and coming up with compromises that work to get the best possible result. 

INTERIOR DESIGN DOESN'T NEED TO BE EXPENSIVE

Interior design may sometimes be less about bringing in, or changing, components and more about removing or reorganising what already exists. A competent interior designer can walk into a space and immediately get a sense of what is good or bad about it in terms of the overall design and its functionality. 

For example, a room that is set up as a family relaxation room, such as a sitting room or lounge, should have a warm and inviting feel to it that supports relaxation. One might expect it to have soft furnishings, a relatively subdued colour scheme, and warm lighting that can be adjusted. Furthermore, the location of furniture and fittings should complement the sense of relaxation that is being conveyed. Having to cross the room to turn on a light, or having to walk around a table, can interrupt the sense of calm that is intended. 

It is important to arrange or rearrange a space to optimise its appeal. To do so you need to understand how to work with design principles, components and environments to achieve the best possible results within the constraints identified by clients (or yourself).

 


How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

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What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.


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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

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