When you’re learning interior design, there are so many ways to get inspired and explore the field further. If you prefer learning at a pace that suits your lifestyle, without the hassle of logging in for class, consider online platforms like VDCI that offer self-paced yet comprehensive courses in interior design-related concepts and tools. You can find classes in design applications, CAD software, and project management, to name a few. You could also explore training centers that offer live online or in-person training as well as degree programs, but these are relatively expensive and not always preferable depending on your needs and goals.
You can also explore tons of free resources that give your interior design skills an additional edge. You can read books, start interior design club meet-ups, explore websites, partake in discussions on forums, and share posts with other professionals on social media. This is a great way to learn quick troubleshooting commands for certain software and explain design theory in more detail. Plus, using social media gives you the additional layer of networking that is so important in the interior design field. Whether you choose to learn more through mentors, online platforms, or connecting with others in person, there are many ways to learn more, get feedback, bounce ideas around, and stay inspired in the field.
What is Interior Design?
Interior design is the art and science 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 and exciting way. Designers need strong knowledge and experience with architectural processes, building codes, and 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 totally change how you approach the spaces in your home. 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.
How Can I Learn Interior Design?
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.
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.
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.
Advantages and Limitations of Online Resources
One of the biggest advantages of using online resources is the ease of access. With just an internet connection, you can learn about everything that piques your interest in interior design. You can learn from your laptop, tablet, or phone, and can start a course, watch a tutorial, or read up on recent updates in the interior design industry. All this shows how versatile and accessible these resources are, which makes a huge difference for people with busy schedules because they are not tied to a classroom or specific times.
Another perk is the variety of online resources available. You can find courses or tutorials that suit every budget. Some of these are free, such as ones found on YouTube, but others may cost a small fee to access. Either way, online resources are everywhere and widely beneficial if you are willing to put in the time, effort, and sometimes cost to access them.
The issue with most online resources is that you cannot guarantee their accuracy or relevance. You may read a post on a blog that sounds great but is a bit too old to be considered industry-standard information. Likewise, some information on the internet is flat-out false. Sometimes this can be the same for paid courses as well. Some courses from Coursera or Udemy may have information that is accurate at the time, but depending on how old the course is, it could currently be outdated.
Advantages and Limitations of Self-Paced Resources
Self-paced resources are easy to access, relatively cheap, and offer the flexibility to start learning right away. The content is available any hour of the day so whether you are a night owl or need to squeeze in learning during your lunch breaks, self-paced resources allow you to learn more about interior design. In addition, you don’t have to worry about a rigid schedule or missing out on important family or work events with self-paced learning. This instant access makes it super useful for those with incredibly demanding schedules.
Another major benefit of self-paced learning is that it typically costs far less than other course types. Many self-paced options allow you to customize your learning experience and specialize in a particular subset of interior design. This freedom allows you to customize your learning experience and enjoy it far more than you would if you had to stick to a strict, stressful schedule. For example, VDCI offers self-paced resources that allow students to learn at a pace that meets their needs while still picking up essential, hire-worthy skills.
However, there are some downsides to self-paced learning that mainly deal with the lack of interaction. Since you are studying independently, you don’t have the chance to ask questions or get immediate feedback from an instructor or classmates. While you can reach out to online forums or communities, it’s not always the same. Similarly, many self-paced course providers offer assistance via chat or discussion board, but you may simply prefer more interaction.
Advantages and Limitations of On-Demand Resources
As the name suggests, on-demand courses are accessible from the moment you need them. Self-paced and on-demand are often used interchangeably, but some providers offer a slight distinction between the two. Self-paced courses give you control over how fast or slow you learn while on-demand classes are more about content being available whenever you want it. They may have a suggested timeline or order of events, setting them apart from self-paced courses. This adds a little extra structure that some students may prefer.
Another great benefit is the cost. Many on-demand resources are free or available at a fraction of the price of a traditional class or workshop. Platforms like YouTube offer free on-demand resources now and then. In addition, Coursera offers high-quality content that can help you understand more about interior design. VDCI offers such programs as well. This method gives you more agency over your learning, so you get to decide what, when, and where you learn. You can focus on design principles one day and construction terms the next.
Although they are readily available, on-demand learning offers a lack of interaction where you won’t have an instructor or classmates to lean on for support. Additionally, you could lack severe motivation and discipline as time goes on. Although on-demand resources often provide a timeline for when lessons and activities should be completed, you may fall short and ultimately stop your learning journey altogether. Moreover, the material and lessons may be difficult to complete if you are not disciplined.
Advantages and Limitations of Free Resources
Free online resources are incredibly convenient and easy to access when it comes to learning a new skill, especially interior design. The biggest advantage is that they come at absolutely zero cost, but they also provide flexibility and a wider variety of available resources. You can learn at a pace that aligns with your needs, fits into your schedule, and gives you more agency. Ultimately, free resources are a no-brainer as they are the perfect supplement to more professional forms of training or help you prepare for a class.
It’s also easy to find online resources. You can choose from training center websites that post blogs and video tutorials or search official organization webpages that offer a page dedicated to explaining specific interior design terms and definitions. You could discuss new interior design trends with other upcoming Interior Designers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X (formerly known as Twitter). Needless to say, you have so many options when choosing an online resource.
Of course, online resources cannot replace a training method like a course. You can’t supplement professional learning with enough free online resources so while they are useful for learning basic skills and refreshing your memory, they will not provide a comprehensive education in Interior Design. If you want to become a professional, you should access a professional training method and use online resources as a study tool. This is especially true because many free resources have no way of proving their accuracy or credibility. Unless you are positive that you are navigating a reputable site, you cannot ensure the accuracy or currency of what you read or hear online.
What Supplemental Resources Are Available?
When you start learning interior design, you will likely consider all your available resources to support you throughout your learning journey. The resources you find online are a great starting point although they aren’t enough to cover everything you truly need to know. You can learn a few basics but interior design is more about real-world experience through projects. To understand the field and gain new skills, you will want to explore resources that at least supplement your learning journey.
If you can, exploring in-person resources that give you more insight into the local field and its trends may be worthwhile. Career centers often have helpful resources that can point you toward job opportunities, internships, or just offer career advice. Some centers will host job fairs where participants can explore new career paths by talking to current professionals. Likewise, many offer workshops where participants can learn a little more about the particular field. These help you stay in the loop in your field while learning what’s popular in your area.
However, online resources are more commonly available. Professional organizations, such as the American Society of Interior Design, offer networking events, blogs, and video tutorials. This insider knowledge gets you ahead of the game. Moreover, you can explore content created by current Interior Designers who have had great success in the field. You can find these pages on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, to name a few. All of these online resources and tools can help you stay connected, explore more, and keep up with industry standards.
How to Choose Your Ideal Learning Plan
While choosing an ideal learning path, you are likely considering all kinds of factors, like what helps you learn best and what your long-term goals are likely to stand out among the rest. You must choose a class that aligns with your needs. If you are someone who enjoys learning on their own time, a self-paced method will be best. On the other hand, if you need a structured learning environment but have a strict schedule, you may have to choose a live online course. On the other hand, if you thrive in a neutral, traditional learning environment, in-person classes are the best bet for you. It all depends on your learning style and your schedule, so your learning plan should adhere to those needs.
Moreover, you have to consider your goals. If you want to learn interior design as a hobby or a passion project, you may have a different approach and mindset than someone who is learning as a way to break into the field. Depending on your needs and previous experience, you may need a more structured and in-depth program. On the other hand, you may thrive in a course that requires less commitment, particularly if you are upskilling. Your end goal will shape your learning path so you must factor this in while devising a plan.
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.
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 imagery enhancement. 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. You’ll 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.