Don’t you just love it when you walk into a room or space and it just speaks to you? Whether it’s elegant, modern, or classic, the elements of the room work together. Light, colors and textures interact perfectly and space is a work of art that makes you feel something. It’s amazing what interior designers are able to create. Now imagine what you would be able to create with the right guidance. This article will have a look at the best Interior Design short courses available online and part-time right now.
Top Interior Design Short Courses
1. Interior Design and Home Styling Short Course from International Open Academy (course details) – Online Course
This course focuses on the fundamentals of interior design like the analysis of space, the use of elements, and working with building structures. Once you have learned the basics, the course opens up to examine elements of lighting, color, textures and fabrics for furniture, and materials used on flooring and walls. It also teaches you how to create popular interior styles like Minimalist, Classic, New York, and Parisian Styles.
The focus of the course is not just on the decorating process but also looks at how to work with clients, deal with common design challenges, and the creation and management of your own Interior Design business. This module also looks at creating professional relationships, preparing a portfolio, and how to advertise your business through websites, blogging, and social media. The course is accredited by the International Council for Online Educational Standards (ICOES) and can earn you Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points as well.
2. Introduction to Interior Decorating Short Course at Vega School (course details) – Part-time on Campus Course
If you’re ready to commit to a new career at South Africa’s premier design schools, look no further than Vega School. Located in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, this 18-week course on interior design short course will fast-track your career as an Interior Decorator, Retail Specialist, or Décor and Furnishings Consultant.
The course examines the theory of decorating, including the psychology of color, and is taught by experienced interior decorators and designers. The course is set apart from online courses by its hands-on approach to teaching and the skills you learn here will serve you well in your career.
3. Interior Design Online Short Course from Getsmarter (course details) – Online Course
While the theory of design and decorating are great, one cannot ignore the use of technology required in becoming an Interior Designer. This is where the 10-week online course from Getsmarter comes in. This course understands industry standards and teaches practical skills on SketchUp, a free software package that is commonly used in the field. The short course for interior design then continues with hands-on skills with modules like Drawing for interior design, the use of colors, textiles, and fabrics. It finishes off with a module on Client relations and visual presentations to get you started in the industry.
4. Bite Sized – Interior Design from University of the Arts London (course details) – One lesson on Campus Course
A lot of people aren’t sure if Interior Design is the career for them and this mini-course is the best way to expose themselves to the industry, speak to specialists in the field and decide if this course is something they would like to explore further.
The course begins with a lecture from an experienced tutor who will speak to you about the world of interior design. The lesson then looks at small practical exercises to emphasize the importance of color, style, and proportion in a space. The really great thing about this course is if you decide to continue at the University of the Arts London with an Interior Design short course, the fee for the bite-sized course will be refunded to you.
5. Interior Design Basic Core at The New School (course details) – Part-time on Campus Course
If you’re lucky enough to live in New York and want to take advantage of the amazing architecture and design available in the Big Apple, this course is an excellent introduction to the world of Interior Design. The course is available in the evenings for those working and begins by teaching basic drafting exercises. The course focuses on principles of scale and the representation of space in two and three dimensions. The course is not as inclusive as others on the list but will provide a solid foundation to build upon. It doesn’t hurt that the Parsons School of Design at The New School has educated some amazing interior designers, including Mario Buatta.
6. Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration at the International Career Institute (course details) – Online Course
At 24 or 31 weeks respectively, the Interior Design and Decoration course is an in-depth program that trains students with both the theoretical and practical aspects of interior design. It begins with the elements and principles of design, moving along to lighting and color schemes amongst other modules, and concluding with job-seeking skills for corporate environments, to vital information about starting your own business. The biggest advantage of this course is that the ICI is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and students studying these courses can join as Student Members, which allows them entry to trade shows and opens up a range of networking opportunities with experienced designers.
7. Interior Design Course from the Interior Design Institute (course details) – Online Course
With a rating of 9.6 out of 10 on Trustpilot, the course from the Interior Design Institute is a winner. The course is made up of 12 modules with 12 assignments attached to each. The purpose of the course is to increase confidence in the student’s skills and they promise access to student support 24/7. They also use a Facebook group to facilitate discussions and share knowledge on the course and design in general.
These short courses for Interior Design are ideal if you’ve become bored by your current career and need a new challenge. It is also a wonderful chance to prove your skills, especially if you’ve always been complimented about your great taste and eye for detail. Most of these courses are ideal for working individuals and are quite affordable as well. So what are you waiting for? Start your new creative life today.
I hope that this article on the Interior Design Course short course was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
