Part-Time Certificate Interior Design

Entry Requirements

No previous art or design experience is necessary, however students must be at least eighteen years old and mature students are particularly encouraged. Numbers on the course are strictly limited and entry is via an informal interview. The purpose of the interview is to give applicants the opportunity to see round the school and learn more about their chosen course and for the interviewer to assess the applicant's motivation for undertaking the course and to evaluate their commitment and ability to work under pressure.

English language ability must also be competent and a minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org or its equivalent is required. Students are expected to have a laptop for use during their studies.

NOTE: The interview is the first step in the application process for KLC's Certificate courses. Before arranging an interview, applicants should check that they are in a position to study full time (full time course) and are available to attend on all the term dates, have the funding available, are of sufficient age and have the required language ability. To arrange 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.

Computers

Students on KLC's Certificate courses are expected to use computers during their studies. These will be used for producing presentational material, for SketchUp and general written work. Important information relating to the course is sometimes communicated via 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 starting 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 KLC Certificate Course is a career orientated course that introduces students to the essentials of good design and decoration and for both full and part time study has been programmed to ensure that students are introduced to every aspect of residential interior decoration and design and that there is plenty of opportunity for "hands on" practice.

Course Details

The course introduces students to the methodology and process of design to include taking the client brief, design analysis and development through to design implementation and evaluation. A particularly inspirational part of the curriculum focuses on conceptual work and accessing creativity. Students are given an appreciation of how colour, texture and pattern work together and how to apply this knowledge with confidence to create attractive decorative schemes.

In keeping with the practical KLC approach, emphasis is also placed on technical understanding to include spatial awareness and analysis with consideration for traffic flow, ergonomics, lighting and the specific requirements relating to kitchen and bathroom design. An appreciation of history of styles helps to inform students' own design work while sessions on environmental issues, design trends and inspirational talks from professional interior designers are similarly influential.

Students also learn about the production of technical drawings, freehand sketches, rendered visuals and presentation boards to illustrate design decisions and decorative schemes and effective verbal presentation skills are also encouraged.

In addition students are also given an overview of the legal and regulatory environment along with an understanding of the day to day administrative procedures involved in running a professional design practice.

The course is delivered full time over ten weeks or part time, two days a week over three terms, each of ten weeks. The courses are based at KLC's studios at Chelsea Harbour and each day is from 10.00am-4.00pm although students also have to undertake a considerable amount of work outside these hours to complete assignments, course and project work and to undertake independent study.

Illustrated talks by leading experts, projects and workshops under the guidance of practising professionals and visits to showrooms specialising in lighting and kitchen and bathroom design and to the V&A Museum are all included in the syllabus.

Syllabus

DESIGN PROCESS

An overview of all the key stages of a project from conception to completion.

• Taking the brief and conceptual work
• Design analysis and development
• Design implementation and evaluation

DECORATIVE SCHEMES

An appreciation of how colour, texture and pattern work together and how to apply this knowledge with confidence to create stunning decorative schemes.

• Theory and psychology of colour
• Textiles and trimmings
• Wall and floor coverings
• Upholstery
• Window treatments
• Soft furnishings
• Sourcing
• Accessories and antiques
• Styling

TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING

Spatial awareness and analysis with consideration for traffic flow, ergonomics lighting and the specific requirements relating to kitchen and bathroom design.

• Introduction to the principles of design to include scale, proportion, ergonomics and space planning
• Introduction to lighting
• Building and construction
• Kitchen and bathroom planning

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The production of technical drawings, freehand sketches, rendered visuals and presentation boards (for concepts and materials and finishes) to illustrate design decisions and decorative schemes. Verbal presentation skills are also covered.

• Drawing from survey notes
• Drawing plans, elevations, sections, furniture layouts and axonometric projections
• Drawing lighting and electrical plans
• Graphics
• Perspective and freehand drawing
• Visual presentation skills to include concept and presentation boards
• Rendering techniques
• SketchUp

HISTORY OF STYLE

An appreciation of how the development of interior decorative styles impacts on interior design and decoration today.

• French and English interior styles from the 17th century to the present day
• Influential interior designers and decorators, both historical and current

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

An overview of the legal and regulatory environment along with an understanding of the day to day administrative procedures involved in running a professional interior design practice.

• Introduction to specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing
• Record keeping and business administration
• Setting up trade accounts and the use of trade showrooms
• Time management and working to a budget
• Schedules and specifications of work
• Planning permissions, listed buildings and building control
• Contracts and insurance requirements
• Working in the industry and introduction to BIID (British Institute of Interior Design)
• Portfolio surgery
• Advice on finding work in the industry

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES

A study and critical analysis of current trends in the interior design industry.

• Environmental issues
• Design trends
• Visits to showrooms and museums
• Inspirational talks

PROJECT WORK

Knowledge and skills learnt during the course are used in a practical way to complete two residential projects and two research projects.

• Two residential design and decoration projects
• History of Style Research Folio and Test
• Window Treatments and Soft Furnishings Research Folio