QUALIFICATION Certificate in Interior Decoration OBJECTIVE Professional training in interior decoration DURATION Two days a week over three terms of ten weeks (total of 60 days). There is no half term break. Also available as a full-time study course LOCATION Chelsea Harbour

This course is designed to train people to become professional interior decorators and allows students to gain a recognised qualification by part-time study. It is an ideal training for anybody working within the industry wanting to further their career opportunities, although students with no experience can enrol.

Students will be required to come into the college for two days each week for three ten week terms, although students will be required to study outside these hours including out-of-term project work. The days at the college run from 10.00am - 4.00pm.

Each term of the part-time course runs for 10 weeks:
       The September start date runs on Monday and Tuesdays
       The January start date runs on Wednesday and Thursdays

THE ROLE OF AN INTERIOR DECORATOR
There is often some confusion between the role of an interior designer and an interior decorator. In its simplest form, an interior designer would carry out the planning and design of a space whereas an interior decorator would advise on the style, arrangement and decoration of surfaces within that space (usually domestic), and this could include the furniture layout, colour scheme, soft furnishings, window treatments and accessories.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
No previous art or design experience is necessary but students must be at least eighteen years old and mature students are particularly encouraged. Entry is by an informal interview and numbers are strictly limited. The purpose of the interview is to discuss applicants' motivation, academic ability and the reasons for undertaking the training. English language ability must also be competent and we look for a minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (www.ielts.org) or its equivalent.

NOTE: The interview is the first step in the formal application process for KLC’s part-time courses.  Before coming in you should check that you can study part-time, have the funding available, be of sufficient age and have the required language ability. To arrange an interview for this course, please contact us on 020 7376 3377 or e-mail info@klc.co.uk.

FUNDING
For information about financial assistance to support your learning please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.

EMPLOYMENT
Students already working within this enjoyable field will find this training of enormous benefit in their day to day work by adding new skills and inspiration and the qualification will considerably improve career development.

The emphasis of this course is on domestic interior decoration rather than commercial work and students not already working within the industry will discover a wealth of different career opportunities.

Students may go on to work with an interior decoration practice or in a showroom and, after obtaining appropriate experience, graduates may ultimately work as freelance interior decorators, operating on a project basis for residential buildings. Alternatively they may specialise in decorating show houses, flats for property developers, become interior stylists, property refurbishers or perhaps even use their skills to enter into journalism.

This part-time course is enormously varied and stimulating. The programme combines lectures and workshops with practical project work and, week by week, students will gain a thorough understanding and knowledge of every aspect of interior decoration.

Students learn how to take a brief and then progress to the study of scale, ergonomics and planning. These lead on to a range of different topics, such as colour, lighting, window treatments, finishes for walls and floors, history of styles, freehand sketching, drawing plans and elevations and presentation techniques.

The emphasis throughout is practical with students given plenty of opportunity for hands-on practice whether it be putting together a sampleboard, watercolouring a perspective or undertaking actual project work, all of which can form the basis of an impressive portfolio. Included in the course are visits to design showrooms, museums, historic houses, and an antiques fair.

Professional practice forms another important element of the training and students are taught how to market themselves, work with suppliers and other professionals and also given an introduction to specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing.

PROJECT WORK
During the two holiday breaks, students complete project work that brings together the term's tuition. The project work is assessed and counts towards students’ final grade.

PART-TIME CERTIFICATE COURSE SYLLABUS

TECHNICAL/COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Survey
• Plans, elevations, sections, furniture layouts
• Lettering, titling
• Axonometric drawing
• One point perspective
• Perspective sketching
• Sample and concept boards
• Rendering techniques
• Presentation techniques
• Sketching details and window treatments

DESIGN PROCESS

• Taking the brief, design analysis and process
• Concept work

TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING

• Introduction to scale, ergonomics and planning (to include kitchens and bathrooms)
• Introduction to lighting
• Lighting and electrical plans
• Building construction
• Planning kitchens and bathrooms

INTERIOR DECORATION

• Colour theory, psychology of colour
• Bed and window treatments
• Upholstery
• Accessories
• Styling
• Materials and finishes
• Textiles and trimmings
• Wall and floor coverings
• Paint
  

HISTORY OF STYLE

• French and English interior styles from 17th to 20th century

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• Planning Permissions
• Introduction to specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing
• Estimating quantities
• Proposals
• Sourcing
• Record keeping and filing
• Dealing with the trade and use of showrooms
• Opening Accounts

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES

• Environmental issues
• Modern furniture
• Visits to showrooms and museums
• Inspirational talks
• Design trends
• Antiques and auctions
• Portfolio surgery
• Advice on finding work in the industry

PROJECT WORK

• 2 residential projects
• History of Style notebook
• Window treatment and textile project