Learn Interior Design

If you are considering enrolling in an interior design course for professional or personal reasons but want to learn more about the field and any expectations beforehand, you have come to the right place. Interior design is a worthwhile skill to learn as it is used in all kinds of spaces, places, and ways. Specifically, interior design professionals analyze a space and determine what is needed to make it look great and work as intended for the people who use it. Becoming a proficient Interior Designer requires learning everything from textiles and materials to digital design tools and design principles. Those with a strong creative eye who also understand the importance of spatial awareness, lighting, saturation, and other design principles will particularly thrive in this field and find enjoyment in the day-to-day responsibilities and projects. As such, interior design is a blend of artistic expression and logical reasoning to end up with an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.

One of the best parts of learning interior design is that you can go down numerous paths with your studies. For instance, Interior Designers work on residential and commercial properties, so whatever space you are interested in designing, you can find a course that will help you do so. Each project, regardless of whether it’s a home or an office space, will have different specifications, requirements, and needs. It’s up to you, as the interior design professional, to figure out what is needed to provide everyone with a pleasant experience while using the space. Moreover, many interior design professionals work with architectural, engineering, and construction experts as well. If you want to study a field that allows you to challenge yourself mentally while flourishing creatively, interior design may be the right path for you.

What is Interior Design?

Interior design is a broad field that consists of both creative and scientific processes and approaches. Specifically, it is the practice of creating aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces that work for the people who use them. It involves more than just picking out pretty furniture and choosing a color scheme. This field dives into everything from layout and material options to sustainable design efforts and fixtures. An Interior Designer is concerned with considering how the space will be used and curating a space based on that need. In addition, they are tasked with ensuring the room is comfortable and tailored to the needs of the occupants, whether it’s a living room in a home or a waiting room in an office building.

This field blends technical knowledge with creative ability in a unique way that other fields and professions simply do not. As such, Interior Designers need well-developed knowledge and experience with architectural processes, building codes, sustainable standards, and even human psychology to understand what makes a space preferable. These professionals work toward creating a visually appealing, safe, accessible, and productive space. Whether it is a residential home, a commercial office, or a public space, Interior Designers work with every element of the design to shape an influential, productive environment.

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Why Learn Interior Design?

Learning interior design lets you tap into your creative side while also gaining practical skills that significantly affect how spaces look and feel. This field offers a chance to express yourself creatively, whether transforming a room in your home or designing spaces for a firm. However, interior design is more than just making rooms look nice -- it’s about creating environments that are functional, comfortable, and suitable for those who reside in them. If you enjoy working with design principles, solving problems, and providing a pleasant experience for the client, learning interior design could be the best path for you.

There are dozens of ways to apply your interior design skills in the workplace. You could go down the residential route and help people turn their houses into homes that are both stylish and functional. On the other hand, you could work in commercial design, where you curate productive and inviting offices, restaurants, and retail spaces that help generate a sense of who the business is. Other interesting areas of interior design include healthcare design, which is incredibly specific and requires adhering to certain criteria. Hospitals and clinics have codes they must follow, which makes each healthcare design project challenging yet rewarding.

On a personal level, learning interior design can completely change the way you approach decorating and rearranging the spaces in your home. With your interior design expertise, you will know how to make your home work best for you and your needs, which includes everything from the throw pillows you choose to the layout of your furniture so you can make the most out of your space. You can turn your spare room into a productive home office space or make your living room more cozy and comforting. Interior design lets you make smart choices about furniture, color, and layout that fit your style and make your space work better for you. With the right training, you can take your home from drab and impersonal to vibrant and more aligned with your likes and preferences, which leads to a much happier daily experience. You should enjoy the space you inhabit -- with interior design training, you can start working towards that immediately.

Interior Design Careers

The most common career path for someone who learns interior design is becoming an Interior Designer. It is all about making spaces look great and work well for the people using them, whether it’s a home, office, restaurant, or any other kind of space. Interior Designers work with clients to figure out how to make the space they want happen. They handle everything from layout and furniture selection to lighting and color schemes. Interior Designers focus on every detail, down to the slightest decor, making sure the space is beautiful, on-brand, and functional. Whether they work with individuals in their homes or businesses with their new location, they are valuable parts of the design process. Indeed reports that Interior Designers earn roughly $69,000 per year in the United States; however, the average will vary based on experience and location. For example, Philadelphia-based Interior Designers earn closer to $84,000 while those in Miami earn slightly less than the national average of $67,000. Moreover, a junior designer could earn closer to $55,000 but could potentially work their way up and earn salaries surpassing six figures. 

Interior design requires learning computer-aided design, so you could also become a CAD Designer. In this specialized role, you would use software like AutoCAD to create detailed plans and blueprints for projects in all kinds of fields, like architecture, engineering, or interior design. You’ll create technical drawings and help take projects from ideas to reality. These designers often work behind the scenes, making sure the dimensions and design elements are precise and accurate. Indeed shares that these professionals earn an average base salary of $69,000 across the United States. However, expect a range in salaries as you search for jobs. First, your location will play a role in your expected salary. For instance, a CAD Designer living in Houston can expect an average salary of $79,000, an entire ten thousand dollar difference compared to the national average. Additionally, factor in your experience. While Junior CAD Designers earn an average salary of $54,000, those in senior-level positions earn closer to $85,000.

With adequate training, you could also become an Architect and create detailed plans for building designs. This includes anything from residential homes and condos to skyscrapers and commercial properties. Architects have training in CAD, building codes, zoning laws, project management, and interior design. Indeed states that the average base salary for an Architect in the U.S. is roughly $108,000. This average varies greatly from city to city, however. Compared to the national average, Austin-based Architects earn closer to $159,000 and those living in Orlando can expect an average salary closer to $97,000. This career path also offers opportunities for advancement as well, which means an increased salary. While a Junior Architect may start by earning $66,000, there’s a chance to work up to Lead Architect and earn closer to $125,000. However, there’s even more room for advancement as Chief Architects earn an average of $226,000.

How to Learn Interior Design

You have plenty of options for learning interior design -- it just depends on what you prefer and how much time throughout the week you have to dedicate to a class. Live online classes are a great way to enjoy a traditional classroom experience but from the comfort of your home. You will learn from an experienced instructor, log in at scheduled times, and complete hands-on projects just like you would in an in-person class. You can ask your instructor questions and chat with classmates. Plus, the course is structured to give you as much immersive experience as possible despite the virtual setting. Being able to connect with others is useful for networking and gives you multiple perspectives. In the end, you’ll end up a more well-rounded interior design professional.

Some people need ample flexibility to properly fit a new learning experience into their regular lives. If you are someone who likes to learn at a pace that suits them, you can opt for self-paced, on-demand classes. They are a great option for someone who needs or prefers additional flexibility to support them through the learning process. With this method, you will watch pre-recorded lectures, go through modules, and complete various lessons to help you pick up the skills and absorb the material. While you don’t have live interaction between an instructor or peers, many of these courses offer support through emails, chatbots, or discussion boards. This option is great if you have a busy schedule or want to build upon your skills on your terms.

On the other hand, you may feel more inclined to check out more traditional and familiar learning methods, such as an in-person class. Most people grew up going to in-person schools with other students, so this may be a method you are more comfortable exploring. In-person classes are for those who thrive in a traditional classroom setting because you get to learn face-to-face. You’ll get hands-on instruction and direct interaction with the material, which is great for a beginner who needs that extra assistance. Of course, this requires you to have adequate transportation and time to make the commute. Depending on your location and schedule, this may be tricky, but if you’re someone who values a structured, traditional learning environment, this could be the best option.

Overall, each learning method has its perks and downsides that could vary based on learning needs, schedule, location, and goals. Live online and in-person classes offer interaction yet require you to follow a more structured schedule. On-demand classes are self-paced and flexible but do not offer the interaction that some students may depend on to acquire new skills. No matter which method you pick, the key is to make sure it aligns with your needs and preferences and helps you develop the skills you need to succeed in interior design.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, and Cost to Learn Interior Design

Learning interior design can be as easy or as challenging as you make it; however, there are some things to consider that may determine which aspects of this field are more difficult for you. For instance, if you naturally have an eye for style and design, such as having the ability to pick out a great color scheme or appropriately textured items, then you may find the styling aspect of interior design fairly enjoyable and easy to pick up. However, you may have difficulty learning the various design software, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and even some Adobe Creative Cloud applications. It could also take time and practice to make a space both aesthetically balanced and functional. But overall, if you’re passionate about design and willing to put in the effort, it’s an achievable endeavor.

The cost of learning interior design can vary greatly depending on the path you choose to take. If you decide to enroll in a traditional degree program, it could cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, shorter programs and bootcamps are far less costly yet still focused on career development. These can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the level of depth and the length of the course. It also depends on the purpose as introductory courses are far less costly than advanced courses. Of course, there are ways to make the cost less stressful. You can earn scholarships and benefit from flexible payment plans. But overall, you can find flexible course options to fit any budget.

While interior design is the core focus, you can learn other skills that help make you a more well-rounded and trustworthy interior design professional. First, your training will substantially increase your drawing and sketching skills, both by hand and digitally. Likewise, you may leave with basic architectural and construction knowledge that will help you in all kinds of design situations. Plus, it’s useful since Interior Designers often work with professionals in these fields and more. If you are serious about building a career in interior design, learning about essential business, project management, and finance skills could be immeasurably beneficial and worth spending the time, money, and effort to accomplish.

Learn Interior Design with Hands-on Training at VDCI

VDCI offers a variety of courses that can help you build a solid foundation in interior design and other related fields and skills. For instance, the CAD Certificate Program spans eight months, totaling 280 hours of class time. This is a part-time, totally online course that offers flexibility for busy schedules but still gives you a thorough education in computer-aided design software. Specifically, you will learn how to master AutoCAD, which is an industry-standard software for creating floor plans, layouts, and design blueprints. The program covers everything from fundamental tasks like creating drafting symbols to more advanced techniques like demonstrating layer and file management. Above all else, it will prepare you for a field in interior design, architecture, or a related field. You will have access to a flexible payment plan and free student software. In addition, you’ll earn several credentials, including a verified certificate of completion and an AutoCAD Fundamentals and AutoCAD Professional badge.

Likewise, there is an AutoCAD Fundamentals course that lasts 12 weeks, totaling 60 total hours of instruction. This is a part-time, fully online course that gives you thorough instruction in AutoCAD essentials. This is a great course for beginners who want to learn the foundational skills that will set them up for success in the future. You’ll learn how to create kitchen and bath fixtures, design a floor plan, and integrate information into one concise file. In addition, you will learn how to apply layer management, user coordinates system development, and even practice creating sheet layout environments. This course gives you flexible payment options and free student software so you are set up for success.

Many Interior Designers use Photoshop to edit marketing materials or other relevant imagery to impress clients and potential customers. If you want to start simple, consider the Introduction to Photoshop course from VDCI. Here, you will learn how to navigate and use Photoshop for image enhancement, whether you want to edit portraits, floor plans, or any other image. In addition, you will learn how to adjust, enhance, and refine imagery for marketing purposes. This course can be hugely beneficial for an Interior Designer who wants to provide their clients with the best design mock-ups possible.

You could also consider the Introduction to InDesign course where you will learn how to design brochures, flyers, business cards, books, postcards, and other digital publishing projects. Although Interior Designers may not use InDesign every day, it is worth learning because it can be useful during client meetings or while sharing marketing materials and other information with clients. In this class, you will learn how to create and adjust graphics as well as draw shapes and design your work for a commercial printer. In addition, you will learn the design principles and practice designing images with varying file types, purposes, dimensions, and colors.