You may wonder how it’s possible to learn interior design online, mainly because it seems like an involved, up-close-and-personal kind of job. However, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that online learning is incredibly advantageous, even when studying interior design. There are tons of resources available and training methods at your fingertips that can help you navigate the interior design world. Many training providers offer self-paced lessons as well as certificates, bootcamps, and degree programs. You’ll learn everything you would typically learn in an in-person class but from a different perspective and with a different format. Online learning allows you to tailor your study schedule to your life—not the other way around. You’ll get a great education from the comfort of your home.
One of the best reasons to pursue online learning is that it offers immense flexibility. Life gets busy—there’s no denying it. But with online classes, you can balance a job, family responsibilities, hobbies, and learning without as much stress. Some online courses give you the freedom to set the tone and pace for your studies so you can move through topics you’re already familiar with whereas others encourage you to follow a particular timeline. Regardless, the course is set up to help students succeed. Plus, online courses are often more affordable not only in the cost of tuition but saving on gas money or other transportation costs. Compared to traditional degrees, online courses are often much more budget-friendly and offer a wider variety of programs. Whether you want to learn a few new skills or start completely from scratch, online learning allows you to access a quality education without breaking the bank or leaving the house.
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.
Why Learn Interior Design Online?
Many students opt for online learning because it offers far more flexibility so if you’re trying to find an easy balance between work, home, and personal life, this is the right way to go. There are live online options or self-paced, on-demand options so you have more choices than the average student. With the latter options, you can jump into lessons whenever it works for you, so if you need to get a quick lesson in at lunchtime or study up after dinner time, you’re able to. It’s an ideal situation for those who want to explore interior design but don’t want to commit to a traditional learning experience. You can customize your studies by focusing more on design software or sustainable practices. Whether you are looking for a professional career or just want to practice for your own home, online courses make it possible.
Some students may not have a choice—they have to learn online, otherwise, they may not be able to learn at all. This applies to people living in a remote area who won’t have easy access to design schools, training centers, or universities. Some people may have a lengthy commute into town that is either impractical to make regularly or impossible. Online learning gives you access to more classes in more subjects so the options are incredibly varied and diverse. Likewise, some people with incredibly packed schedules won’t have any other option. In essence, online classes are all about convenience without missing out on important information. You can make education work for you with an online course.
Different Kinds of Online Training
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.
What Are the Advantages and Limitations of Online Training?
As with any training method, you can expect some benefits and detriments. Truly, whether you consider each advantageous or limiting is subjective and based entirely on factors personal to you. If you find that online training may not align with your needs and preferences, there are other options. However, you may find that online training is the perfect balance between freedom and guidance.
Advantages
One of the biggest advantages of online training is the ability to fit it into your schedule whenever it works. If you are a night owl or an early bird, you can make learning interior design work for you. You don’t have to adjust your life to fit someone else’s timetable but can instead take the lessons at a pace that suits your needs and preferences. If you need more practice with a particular skill, you can use more time. This is especially beneficial for people with hectic schedules or those who simply need more balance between their studies, work, family, and other commitments.
Another huge advantage of online training is the variety of courses to choose from. You can opt for beginner, intermediate, or advanced classes as well as short or relatively lengthy classes. You can explore topics ranging from design software, sustainable design, color theory, and AutoCAD, or just enroll in an all-encompassing online course. Plus, many online platforms offer multiple learning formats and resources, like videos, readings, live sessions, lectures, and projects. You can choose whatever works best for you and decide how structured or flexible your learning path is. With so many options to choose from, learning interior design online seems like a no-brainer.
Limitations
Of course, every learning path has some elements you will have to consider. Live online courses offer a little interaction but regular online courses that are self-paced or on-demand offer far less. Since you are often learning solo, the course may feel fairly hands-off. It doesn’t feel the same as learning in a traditional classroom, which may feel odd at first. If you thrive in a more structured setting, this may pose a challenge. You will need to determine what you are comfortable with before you decide on an online course.
This lack of hands-on experience may lead to a higher learning curve for working with physical materials, like arranging furniture in real spaces and getting a feel for dimensions. This can also lead to difficulties with the necessary technology. Interior design professionals often use AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications, to name a few. These can be tricky, especially for a beginner. Needless to say, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your learning style, goals, and previous experience so you can decide which course works best for you.
Who Will Benefit the Most from Online Training
Online training benefits people with packed schedules, like working professionals or parents. If you have a lot of projects coming up at work and don’t have time to drive to class every day, online classes make up the difference. You can read up on the newest interior design lessons while the kids are down for a nap or during your lunch break. It’s all up to you—so whether you need that added flexibility to learn from anywhere or just appreciate the ability to make your learning schedule your own, online classes are a great option.
In addition, students with complicated educational histories such as those who enlisted in the military and have been away from the classroom for a long time, would benefit greatly from online classes. This course style can offer a more adaptable way to re-enter schooling and gain new skills without the need for a rigid schedule. If you have already gone down a non-traditional path, this course style may work out great for you. You can learn on your own terms and won’t have to worry about fitting into a new school system.
However, if you thrive on direct interaction, like having a face-to-face lecture or group activity, you may find online training ineffective. It is true that this learning method can feel a little isolating, especially for those students who prefer a more hands-on approach. Students will have to consider greatly whether this method will serve them in the long run so as not to waste time, effort, or money. A live classroom, whether in-person or online, can offer a lot more immersion, interaction, and connection, which is relatively useful for a field like interior design.
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.