If you are starting from scratch while learning interior design, choosing the right class can set the tone for the rest of your educational journey. It is important to choose a class that fits your needs and preferences the best. Whether you are looking to dive into the basics of space planning, color theory, or design software tools, there are tons of beginner-friendly courses where you can get started. If you want to learn more about some of the best classes for interior design beginners, covering a mix of options that allow you to learn at a pace and in a style that works best for you, then continue reading. No matter what your schedule or goals are, you can find a course that fits your needs and helps you achieve what you set forth to do.
If you want to learn a specific topic within interior design, such as AutoCAD or Revit, you can find introductory courses. Likewise, if you want to learn some design principles and basics, you are able to do that as well. Even if you want to explore adjacent fields, such as construction or architecture, you can find a beginner-level course to suit your goals. Whether you want a certificate program, beginner bootcamp, or short course, you can find a class to suit your needs. To learn more about the best interior design classes for beginners, continue reading. You will find out just how beginner-friendly interior design is and read up on numerous industry standard tools that can make your interior design journey far less daunting.
What is Interior Design?
Interior design is all about making a space look nice and function properly for the people who use it. It’s a blended field of creative energy mixed with practical, technical skills, where designers consider everything from layout and furniture to the lighting and the color scheme. All in all, an interior design professional acquires the materials needed to make a space pop, focuses on how all the elements come together, and determines what is needed for the environment to feel right for any of the activities occurring there.
At its core, interior design is about improving the way a space is experienced, whether you’re living or working there. It’s more than picking out pretty throw pillows and choosing a nice light fixture -- it’s about making sure those things fit well, feel comfortable, and work for everyday life. Interior Designers have to consider accessibility, comfort, and sustainability, so they inevitably become well-versed in balancing creative endeavors with practical solutions. It’s an exciting field that gives its professionals versatility and new opportunities, especially as interior design continues to grow and evolve.
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Why Learn Interior Design
Learning interior design helps you understand how spaces impact the overall mood and well-being of those who inhabit that space. By learning how to create environments that feel good to be in, you’ll acquire skills that can help in myriad situations. You’ll explore the basics of design, like color, layout, and materials, but these are transferable skills that may make learning other subjects, such as graphic design, even easier. You’ll be able to transform a room or space from dull to vibrant and give it a cozy, welcoming feel or design an office building to look sleek and stylish. No matter how you use your interior design skills, you can apply them in different ways.
On a professional level, interior design training is a fantastic way to find a career that gives you technical skills but also one that values creative expression. On a professional level, interior design opens all kinds of opportunities, whether you want to design homes, offices, restaurants, or even medical centers. There is always a demand for skilled designers who can make spaces functional yet aesthetically pleasing. Learning interior design can lead to jobs at design or architecture firms, or even offer you a chance to start your own business. These roles often involve working with professionals in related fields, such as Architects, Engineers, and Contractors.
Even if you don’t see yourself venturing into the interior design field, you can still do a lot with your training. Interior design skills help you create a space that fits your style and works for how you live. You can organize and decorate your home in a way that makes you feel comfortable and productive without sacrificing personal style. Once you have enough practice at home, you could start helping friends and family with their spaces or even plan for special events like parties and weddings. You could also start a blog or social media account dedicated to your interior design projects. Whether you’re learning interior design for personal projects or to achieve certain career goals, interior design gives you the tools to shape the space around you.
Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, and Cost to Learn Interior Design
Learning interior design can be difficult but it’s not as challenging as you may think if you have the right type of training and a positive attitude. It requires a mix of skills like creativity, technical abilities, and spatial awareness. With this combination, you’ll be able to get the hang of things like color theory, balance, and space planning -- in other words, you will gain an understanding of what actually makes a space work. You may learn software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp in any given interior design course, which does have a considerable learning curve if you’ve never used this type of technology before. Overall, you’ll need practice getting the hang of both the artistic and practical sides of the field, but with time and dedication, you’ll learn in no time.
There aren’t necessarily strict prerequisites to get started learning interior design but having a few skills or qualities could certainly help. First, if you have a creative eye in general, you may be able to picture how furniture, colors, textures, shapes, and materials will play out in a real-life setting. As you explore the field more, you’ll get familiar with design software. It could be helpful to have relevant or similar experience with other software, like Adobe Photoshop. If you have some construction or architectural knowledge, it’ll be easier for you to pick up on the nitty-gritty aspects that could be part of interior design, such as reading blueprints and working with specific materials. Plus, having strong communication skills makes the job easier since you’ll frequently chat with other professionals and discuss project needs with clients. Lastly, if you’re interested in becoming a more eco-friendly individual and professional, you’ll be happy to know there are ways to implement sustainable practices into your designs. Having this passion can help make learning these practices less challenging.
If you want proper training, you’ll have to spend a little money. However, how much depends on the type of course and path you choose. Typically, online courses are the most affordable, including live online and self-paced. In-person courses are usually more expensive, especially once you venture into university programs. Certificate and certification courses are a step below in cost but still provide adequate career-building skills. There are budget-friendly options, like on-demand courses, but these can also vary in accuracy and depth. Of course, universities offer scholarships and training centers frequently have payment plans or employee sponsorship opportunities. Regardless, it’s likely you can find a course that’s right for you no matter your budget.
How Beginner-Friendly is Interior Design?
Interior design is a relatively beginner-friendly subject to study. Regardless of whether you have any specific background or experience, you can jump right into the lessons. This makes interior design a fairly accessible subject for anyone. Most beginner courses are designed to build your skills from the ground up. You will start from scratch, learning concepts like color theory and working with different materials. In addition, you may learn how to arrange furniture and make spaces more functional and beautiful. As long as you are interested in learning and have a passion for creating the ideal space, you will find it easier to start studying.
You do not necessarily need to worry about prerequisites. While it is useful to have prior knowledge of design principles, furniture styles, architecture, construction, or certain software, it is not a requirement to get started. Some courses may ask that you have basic drawing or computer skills but even those skills are typically covered in the lessons as well. The beginner courses introduce you to everything right from the start. You will start small, work your way up, and ultimately figure out the best way to design an interior space.
Of course, with any new skill, some concepts can feel tricky at first. In interior design, this is especially true. You have to have a keen creative eye and a sense of user needs to be successful in the field. Understanding how scale and proportions work or figuring out floor plans is not always easy, but these challenges are not as tough as they may seem. With practice and a little time, you will begin to pick up on even the more difficult concepts. For most beginners, once you have got the basics down, the fun will start -- designing and creating a usable, desirable space.
What Should Beginners Know Before Taking an Interior Design Class?
Before you enroll in an interior design class, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, interior design takes far more effort than merely moving the furniture and fluffing a few pillows. Interior design is both an art and a science -- it requires having a large creative streak but also becoming familiar with practical, technical skills. You have to learn how spatial arrangements work and determine the most efficient way to organize the space. In essence, you are helping design spaces for real-life functionality and visual appeal, ensuring that everything flows and fits together well.
Furthermore, interior design is a process that takes time to get the hang of. You start with a vision and work your way toward a finished product. From client meetings and concept boards to the actual day of installation, you will have to get used to each step. This takes time, so do not worry if you need to practice over and over before you feel like an expert. It is all about experimentation, becoming more confident, and honing your skills over time.
Lastly, it helps to be receptive to feedback. In any class, you will get advice from your instructor and possibly other students as well. At first, it might feel weird to receive constructive criticism about your work but it is incredibly helpful. Having a fresh set of eyes on your work helps you understand how your work is perceived and gives you new ideas on how to improve. Staying open-minded is one of the best pieces of advice before taking an interior design class.
What Tools Are Available For Beginners?
If you are just starting out in interior design, there is a wide range of tools and resources to help you along the way. One of the best options to learn interior design as a beginner is to search for an online course. Training providers like VDCI offer beginner-friendly courses that provide a semi-structured learning path that you can complete at your own pace. You can go through the material when it works for you and your schedule and still gain a clear understanding of what to focus on next. This option is especially useful for beginners who need extra flexibility if they want to fit an educational venture into their schedule.
Aside from that, you can explore and practice using software and other design tools. For example, design software like Canva can help you prepare for more advanced platforms for image editing like Adobe Photoshop. Both could be used to create concept boards and materials for client meetings as well as marketing images once the final installation is complete. You can also use free trials for certain software and get a head start if you choose to enroll in a course.
Don’t forget about online communities and social media. Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and even Facebook groups can serve as a wealth of knowledge for interior design-related subjects. This is a great space for sharing ideas and tips or just finding inspiration for the next project. You could even access mentorship opportunities while enrolled in an in-person, live online, or self-paced course. It is a great way to get feedback on your work from an industry professional who can help you stay motivated to learn and improve.
Is Interior Design The Best Place For Beginners to Start?
Interior design is an especially great skill for a beginner to learn, especially if you have a natural creative streak and a strong eye for aesthetics. It is also helpful if you understand design principles. If you are drawn to the idea of designing rooms or homes, this skill could be a perfect fit. You can start with beginner-level courses but if you are looking for something more technical, you could opt for an AutoCAD or Revit course. These tools are used frequently in the field so they are worth learning. People of all backgrounds can learn something about interior design.
If you are new to design or creative fields, it may be helpful to start with a foundational course where you will learn more about basic interior design concepts and techniques. These classes will cover the basics, such as furniture arrangement, color theory, and design principles. You may also benefit from learning simple 3D modeling techniques so you can get more comfortable using the software and tools used in the field. It is a good way to ease into the subject without feeling overwhelmed by all the information you will have to know and the tasks you will have to complete.
Ultimately, your willingness to learn and excitement about the topic will determine where you may want to start. You could opt for shorter, single-subject courses if you would rather take your learning journey slow. On the other hand, you may be ready to jump right in with a certificate or bootcamp. In the end, it all comes down to what you want to do with your interior design training and how quickly you would like to achieve your goals.
Learn Interior Design With Self-Paced VDCI Courses
VDCI offers numerous courses that can get you started on your interior design journey. In the 140-hour Interior Design Course Bundle, you’ll gain a foundation of interior design skills and learn how to create precise floor plans and technical drawings with AutoCAD and also develop 3D models and accurate renderings with SketchUp Pro. In addition, you’ll learn how to use Photoshop for concept boards and other image-enhancement needs. For instance, you’ll practice adjusting, enhancing, supplementing, and composing files for marketing purposes. By completing various hands-on projects, you’ll understand how to use several essential software, understand construction documents, and understand essential interior design concepts like spatial arrangement and visualization. In addition to the one-on-one bonus training and access to an expert instructor, you’ll receive software access during your time in the class. Upon completion of the course, you’ll earn a verified digital certificate.
If you want to turn it up a notch, the 470-hour Interior Design Professional Course Bundle is the perfect way to master interior design for both residential and commercial spaces. Through various projects and quizzes, you’ll understand how to read construction documents and blueprints. In addition, you’ll study CAD detailing standards, like making detailed drawings from scratch and referencing and clipping information from other drawings. You’ll learn to design detailed, precise floor plans, 3D models, and polished presentations using industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite applications like Photoshop and Illustrator. You’ll also receive additional training, instructor help, software access, and a verified digital certificate of completion.
To master SketchUp, consider the 60-hour SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Course Bundle. Here, you’ll learn to design 3D models, determine the most efficient way of accurately and productively using SketchUp, and explore all their tools. Specifically, you’ll learn how to use the various tools to get the most out of the software functionality to design all kinds of 3D models. In addition, you’ll learn to create and edit new materials and photo textures to SketchUp models from Google Earth. Through various projects, you’ll learn to generate scene settings, create typography, and export images and animations. You’ll have access to discussion forums, hands-on quizzes, and mini-projects and be able to add to your portfolio.
In the AutoCAD Certification Training Bundle, you’ll create a detailed floor and roof plan. In addition, you will learn to create sets of construction documents, foundation plans, and electrical plans for small residential projects. With AutoCAD, you’ll develop title block drawings from scratch and create building elevations as well as apply advanced skills for sheet layout environments and plotting. You’ll also learn how to manage and organize files and deliverable sheets to ensure they align with National CAD Standards. This 140-hour course comes with access to an instructor, additional training, software, and additional mentoring.