Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design KLC School of Design

Interior Design

Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design

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College Award
Applications open
Course duration: 3 years (36 weeks pa)
School: KLC School of Design
Location: Online


Industry-recognised flexible self-study course with cutting-edge online learning materials, CAD Software and dedicated tutor support. It is perfect for anybody who wants to gain a professional qualification and have the flexibility to fit their studies around work, family or other commitments. You can start at any time of the year, work at your own pace and study from anywhere in the world!

Our online Certificate Interior Design course is accessible on all your devices 24/7 via KLC's bespoke virtual learning environment (VLE). Through this online web portal, students have constant access to dynamic course materials developed by industry experts. Broken down into four sections, the course layout is clear and easy to use with practical step by step instructions. 

Students have a wealth of resources including video demonstrations, narrated presentations with subtitles and self-assessed quizzes to check their progress as they learn. 

Course structure

This course is all about developing an existing space.  It is surface design.  It is object curation.  It is styling for the myriad of human senses both physical and emotional.

You will develop your creativity and learn drawing techniques to confidently communicate your ideas to clients.  Business development, idea generation and sourcing skills are gained alongside an understanding of colour, lighting and textiles. 

Exciting projects with a focus on residential interior design provide you with an opportunity to put all that you have learnt into practice to build up an impressive portfolio of work, which showcases your potential to prospective employers.

Course units

Projects and Assignments

Research Project 1 - Textiles, Research and Applications

Design Project 1 - Residential bedroom

Design Project 2 - Residential bathroom

Research Project 2 - Evolution of Style

Design Project 3 - Residential kitchen, dining and living space

 

Syllabus

Design Process

Taking the brief, research and conceptual work | Design analysis 
and development | Design implementation and evaluation

Colour, Texture and Styling

Theory and psychology of colour | Suitability, composition and 
application of textiles and trimmings, wall and floor coverings 
and materials and finishes | Upholstery | Window treatments |
Accessories, art and antiques | Styling

Decorative Schemesand Sourcing

Putting together a successful decorative scheme, incorporating 
patterned and plain fabrics, paint finishes and wallpaper | Sourcing 
furniture and accessories for a given brief | Sourcing from different 
trade suppliers | Writing a professional design statement

Technical Understanding

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

Communication Skills

Drawing from survey notes | Drawing plans, elevations, sections 
and furniture layouts | Drawing lighting plans | Graphics |
Freehand sketching | Visual presentation skills to include concept, 
presentation and sample boards | Rendering techniques | AutoCAD 
(videos are provided)

Evolution of Style
French and English interior styles from the 17th to early 21st 
Century | Influential interior designers and decorators

Professional Practice

Specifying, ordering, estimating and invoicing | Record keeping 
and business administration | Preparation of fee proposals |
Setting up trade accounts and the use of trade showrooms | Time 
management and working to budget | Planning permissions |
Contracts and insurance requirements | Working in the industry and 
introduction to BIID | Portfolio preparation | Advice on finding work 
in the industry

Contextual Studies

Introduction to environmental issues and sustainability | Introduction to 
design trends | Visits to showrooms and museums | Inspirational talks

 

 

 

 

Contact hours

Study Hours
To fit in with your commitments - e.g. 10 hours of study per week to complete the course in 15 months

Entry Requirements

  • No previous experience in interior design is required for this course; we simply ask that you have a passion for the subject and a drive to learn!
  • Applicants should have basic computer skills (Word processing, Spreadsheets, Internet and Email use) and be able to use their laptop computer confidently. These skills can be built on using the online learning resources during the course to gain the computer-aided design (CAD) software skills needed to complete the course from an absolute beginner level to confident usage. 
  • PCs and Mac - We recommend that students use PCs for the Online Certificate course to learn industry CAD software. This is because Mac users can experience several issues and drawbacks using Mac versions of CAD, which can be time-consuming and frustrating when learning a new skill. You can opt to use PC emulator software such as Bootcamp or Parallels with Windows 10 and use the PC versions. While these do make things easier, you should be aware that they do not necessarily remove all the problems. Many KLC students use a PC for CAD and their Mac throughout their course for course admin, email, VLE access, research, written documents and project presentations.

English Language Recommendation

  • Good command of written and spoken English is required for all applicants.

Work placements & careers

Our extensive links with designers, suppliers, manufacturers, specialists and professionals within the interior design and garden design industries allow us to offer our students unmatched opportunities to work on live design projects, work shadowing and employment opportunities.

As part of our commitment to offering industry-ready qualifications, our students are offered guidance on CV preparation, portfolio presentation, professional practice and upon graduation; our careers service also helps graduates find internships, job placements and freelance appointments utilising our jobs board. 

Read more

Course tutors

Ally Wates DipAD

Ally Wates originally trained as a theatre designer, moving into decorating and then attending KLC as a Diploma student. Ally is our Certificate Course Leader at KLC School of Design.

Daniela Cava BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA

Daniela La Cava, BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA is our course tutor who is an experienced Interior Designer, holding a First Class BA Honours in Interior Design.

KLC School of Design at West Dean

KLC School of Design

Our KLC School of Design offers industry-leading interior design degrees and garden design courses with unrivalled teaching, flexible learning and ongoing career support

KLC School of Design

Fees & funding

Course fees are the same for UK and international students

  • £2,130

Additional costs
The course fee for the online Certificate course includes all the study materials, project and assignment work, and all distance learning tuition, including the telephone helpline, email advice and assessment of coursework and student membership of the BIID.

However, students should make an allowance for the following:

  • Equipment and drawing materials
  • Books for further reading
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Visits to exhibitions, museums, trade shows, historic houses and gardens
  • KLC Workshops (optional)
  • KLC One to One Tutorials (optional)

How to apply

To enrol onto the course, simply call our Registrars who will take your details and discuss payment. The number is 020 7376 3377, select Option 3. Alternatively, you can email them on [email protected].