Diploma Interior Design

Entry Requirements

No previous art or design experience is necessary. Normally the entry standard is a degree, but mature students with sufficient prior learning experience are particularly encouraged. Any non-degree holding students that are accepted onto this course will be required to attend the Diploma Preparatory Course.

Numbers are strictly limited and the first step is to arrange an interview the purpose of which is to provide applicants an opportunity to visit the school and learn about the course in detail and for the interviewer to assess the applicant's academic ability, motivation, performance under pressure and the reason for undertaking the training. English language ability must also be competent and a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org or its equivalent is required.

NOTE: The interview is the first step in the formal application process for KLC's career orientated courses. Before coming in applicants should check that they are able to study full time, have the funding available, are of sufficient age and have the required language ability. To arrange to come in and see the school or to set up an interview for this course, please contact Admissions on 020 7376 3377 or email info@klc.co.uk.

Overseas applicants can arrange to have the interview by telephone, although a follow up meeting prior to the course date and copies of relevant documentation will be required.

Computers

Students are required to have a laptop computer for this course, and the Adobe Creative Suite. However, students are not required to buy the software until they start the course and, once enrolled, they will qualify for a student discount on the software. Computers will be used for producing presentational material, for CAD (computer aided design) and presentation software training, and general written work and important information is often communicated by email. For this reason, students should ensure that they are familiar with the general operation and use of computers (for example, they should be able to confidently create, amend, save and distribute documents, and use email) before staring their course. Prior experience in using either PCs or Macs will be equally helpful. Full details of the expected level of ability will be provided at interview.

Qualification

The Interior Design Diploma is validated at Level 5 by the University of Brighton. The validation process requires rigorous quality assurance assessment of all aspects of the school and has also resulted in new teaching methods and innovative updates that have greatly benefited the Diploma course and enhanced the creativity and depth of student work. In addition the university validated Diploma is internationally recognised so graduates are in a strong position to find employment in the industry worldwide or to progress to further study with credit points that can be transferred to other courses nationally and internationally.

Partnership with the University of Brighton

A Diploma of the University of Brighton is a qualification that is specifically designated for vocational training courses and therefore fits appropriately with our career focused courses. The course comprises 120 credits at Level 5 on the QAA HE Level Framework.

The University of Brighton has long been established as a centre of excellence for art and design studies - The School of Arts was established in 1859. The Faculty of Arts now foster and develop research within and across a wide range of disciplines. It is home to a number of significant collections and archives, including the design archives, and a high percentage of their research in art and design has been classified as either "world leading" or "internationally excellent". KLC is proud to be associated with the University of Brighton.

Course Details

Great emphasis is placed on design process from taking the client brief, site survey, design analysis, conceptual and design development through to implementation and the final evaluation of a project. Students learn how to produce 2D and 3D drawings, both by hand and CAD generated, and to master 3D visualisation techniques, scale models and other methods of visual presentation. The use of sketching, design developmental drawings and computing to generate 2D and 3D models are encouraged in the later projects and students also learn to produce detailed working drawings which are now a vital part of a designer's toolkit for bespoke areas of work.

Vectorworks is introduced into the syllabus at the end of the first term of the FT Diploma and at the end of the first year of BL Diploma. Skills and confidence in Vectorworks are gained throughout the rest of the course. The reason why Vectorworks is chosen over other software drawing packages is that it is easier to learn and quicker to gain competence to allow for greater focus on proficiency in technical drawing skills. The 3-5 day AutoCAD introduction at the end of the course seeks to actively draw parallels between Vectorworks and AutoCAD as a way to make progression between software packages more effective. In addition, students will be shown how to import AutoCAD files into VW, to amend drawings, and thereafter to export them back into AutoCAD. These software drawing skills are combined with learning competencies in SketchUp, InDesign and Photoshop.

Most employers seek Diploma graduates who have skills and experience in CAD drawing and rendering packages. They are happy to interview graduates who have competence in Vectorworks and have had an introduction to AutoCAD. Employers expect that Junior Design graduates will require further training and experience during their first few months. Diploma graduates who continue on to the BA (Hons) course will actively build upon their introduction to AutoCAD skills throughout the year and further their design software techniques by learning 3ds Max.

The lecture programme and supporting workshops explore areas such as design principles, theory and process, communication and presentation and the development and vocabulary of architecture. In keeping with the KLC practical approach, students are also made aware of the more practical elements of interior design. Subjects covered include lighting, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and drainage systems, multi-media installations, accessibility and inclusive design. They are also given an understanding of building construction and structural principles and made aware of building regulations and where planning permissions are applicable.

Great emphasis is placed on accessing creativity and aspects of the course particularly enjoyed include creative use of colour and light, textiles, materials and finishes, supported by psychological considerations. An overview of the development of international styles with particular focus on the history of English interior styles to include the work of iconic designers and architects of the 20th century and contemporary design, ensures that graduates are able to recognise key styles and also informs their own design development.

Consideration of environmental issues is regarded as a holistic part of the course and students are encouraged to factor this in to any design project. To support their project work students will explore strategies for effective communication with clients through visual, written and spoken means. The course is rooted in business reality and considerable emphasis is therefore placed on business skills through the study of professional practice which combined with the opportunity for work shadowing are key elements in the preparation of students for employment on graduation.

There are 5 major projects during the course, based on a variety of realistic residential and commercial spaces such as restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, retail and listed buildings. The resultant presentational material will form a comprehensive design portfolio including examples of all the skills which students have acquired during the course

The group project encourages effective team work in a creative environment and budgets, time management and formal board level presentations are also included within this section of the course. The final design project requires students to work autonomously on a space and apply a full range of design skills acquired; they will have to demonstrate their ability to plan, timetable and complete their own presentation, showcase their knowledge of current and emerging technologies and major design trends and demonstrate current thinking regarding key issues on professional design practice.

Delivery

KLC is committed to providing dynamic, supportive and engaging specialist tuition in a professional, inspiring and creative environment that is both challenging and enjoyable. In order to encourage and enable innovation and cutting edge practice and to maintain and develop an exciting and current curriculum tutors and lecturers are professional interior designers or industry specialists.

The extensive in house team provide course cohesion while specialist and inspirational lecturers are given by well-established figures within the interior design industry. Students are assigned a mentor to support them through the course and encourage intellectual and personal development while the tutor team are always available to answer queries or discuss any problems that arise.

The course is full time, divided into three terms and runs throughout the academic year with a Diploma awarded to those students whose work reaches the required standard. The course is based at KLC's studios in the Design Centre East and each day is from 10.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday, although students frequently have to undertake a considerable amount of work outside these hours.

A combination of different teaching and learning strategies are employed on this course which include lectures and workshops, group and individual tutorials and presentations. Visits are carefully selected to support specific aspects of the course and include museums, galleries, studios and showrooms and familiarisation visits to libraries to facilitate their use during historical and social aspects of the course are also part of the curriculum. Research, student led debates and discourse, are all encouraged and form an important aspect of the course.

In addition to the KLC in house library students have access to extensive reference material in Westminster and Chelsea College of Art libraries as well as the wide ranging online resources via EBSCO.

Syllabus

DESIGN PROCESS AND APPLICATION

The design development process and the acquisition of skills necessary to communicate a design idea or proposal provide the main focus for this module.

• Client brief, design analysis, development and concepts
• Spatial planning
• Ergonomics, circulation, traffic flow
• Site survey and analysis
• Introduction to drawing techniques, model making and visual communication skills
• Research and application
• Colour theory and psychology
• Articulation of ideas from inception through development of reflective evaluation to final proposition

DESIGN PRACTICE AND COMMUNICATION

To convey and communicate a scheme effectively the designer requires a broad range of skills and this module introduces the subject of design communication and the associated techniques and skills required for the purpose.

• Design drawing techniques and conventions
• Visuals and spatial drawings, hand drawn and computer generated in 2D and 3D (to include SketchUp, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative)
• Introduction to AutoCAD
• Rendering techniques
• Graphics
• Verbal communication skills to convey a design proposal
• Critical evaluation of design research
• Critical evaluation of own design work through reflective essays
• Compilation of professional portfolio of work

MATERIALS & PROCESS

To support design development and decision making designers require an understanding of building construction, systems and services and this module focuses on this area and also allows exploration of the potential of materials and their application and technical performance within an interior scheme.

• Building construction and structural principles
• Structural systems, lighting and services
• Detailed working drawings
• Research on technical performance and application of materials within design projects
• Application of drawing, photography , CAD and technical drawing to show materials and finishes applied to 3D forms
• Materials and the environmental and sustainable impact
• Integration of design process from conception to construction
• Compilation of a reference book on Textiles and their Application

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This module explores the restrictions and processes in place to which the professional designer needs to comply within the wider context of the profession and focuses on the administrative procedures of design practice.

• Industry codes and standards
• Compliance with statutory regulations
• Design proposals
• Fee structures and proposals
• Contracts
• Estimating (and use of EstiMac and EstiPC software)
• Specifications and schedules
• Budgets
• Business ethics

HISTORICAL & CRITICAL STUDIES

An exploration of the historical framework of Interior Design from c1660 to the 21st century spanning a wider arts and cultural context, where the study of practical and theoretical issues can inform design process and practice is undertaken within this module. In addition, sustainability, changing production, materials and environments are also explored and evaluated.

• Development of International Style
• 1660-2000 English, French, German interior styles
• 20th century architecture, iconic architects and designers
• Exploration and evaluation of sustainability, changing production, materials and environment
• Project work
• Essay exploring aspects of social, cultural and economic influences and how they inform process and practice

FINAL DESIGN PROJECT

All previous design studies are consolidated into a complex design brief/project within this module, which is undertaken according to professional standards and spans all aspects of the design process from inception through to final proposal and presentation to client.

• Site visit
• Research
• Rationale
• Conceptual development
• Design proposal
• Project specific sketchbook
• Presentation to client

PROJECT WORK

Students are required to complete the following:

• Research paper on Textiles and their Application
• History of Style reference book and essay on social, cultural and economic influences
• Personal journals and sketchbooks
• Five design projects (to include residential, conceptual, commercial, group and final project)