You can learn more about interior design by yourself with the help of resources, books, tutorials, social platforms, and online courses. You can explore design principles like color theory, layout planning, and materials, while even experimenting with design software through free tools or free trials. Through social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, you can see what other interior design professionals are doing and gain inspiration from their work. There are also so many free resources online, between blogs on training center websites and video playlists. In addition, online courses are a great way to learn on your own. While having a structured course can be helpful, many people successfully teach themselves through self-paced methods where you follow a loose guideline and study the material solo. You can pick up and put down the course as you need, which is ideal for those with busy schedules. Plus, there is still some level of structure and support provided with this method so you are never left completely alone during your learning journey. With dedication, creativity, practice, and a willingness to learn, you can absolutely build skills on your own.
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.
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.
Learn Interior Design
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
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.
What Tools Are Available To Help Students Learn Interior Design on Their Own?
If you want to study interior design on your own, there are a few great tools available to help you out during your learning journey. First, you can explore online platforms that offer self-paced courses on interior design. Providers such as VDCI, Udemy, or Coursera, offer such courses. At VDCI, the courses are designed by construction and design experts and curated to help others become professionals in the field. You can cover everything from the basics of color theory to more advanced topics like 3D design or CAD software. This is a great option if you want flexibility but still prefer a little bit of structure through discussion forums and additional mentoring sessions.
There are also on-demand classes which are perfect if you’re looking for something specific to study whenever and however it fits into your schedule. On-demand classes are relatively hands-off and give you space to learn without all the stress. You can find on-demand courses on a number of providers, including Coursera, where you can pick and choose what you want to focus on, whether it’s learning how to use design software at a slow and steady pace or exploring more creative aspects of interior design and starting right away.
Aside from courses, you can explore websites and blogs dedicated to interior design. Organizations like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) have websites with resources and more information on the latest interior design news and stories. You can also explore training center websites for blogs, pictures, and walk-through videos showcasing interior design projects by fellow professionals. You can stay up to date on the latest trends, which is incredibly important in such a fast-paced, ever-evolving field.
You can also explore social media platforms like YouTube and Pinterest, two incredibly useful platforms for garnering creative inspiration and exploring interior design tutorials. You can find walkthroughs, tutorials, and vlogs on YouTube from current designers who are well-established in the field. Likewise, Pinterest is perfect for gathering design ideas and creating concept boards. This is a great way to diversify your design skills and sharpen your creative eye.
How Can I Supplement Self-Paced Interior Design Training?
While a self-paced interior design course offers a lot of flexibility, it’s often helpful to supplement it with other resources to make sure you’re getting the most out of your learning experience. No matter what training method, supplementing your self-paced interior design training is often the best way to reinforce what you’ve learned and gain a deeper understanding of the field. Self-paced courses are great for learning at your own speed but they lack interaction without other outlets and resources.
Luckily, there are many ways to supplement your self-paced training with some of the many resources offered at VDCI. When you enroll in a self-paced course at VDCI, you can access numerous supplemental services and resources to ensure students' success. Some courses offer one-on-one career mentoring and bonus training held via Zoom where you can have an experienced design professional guide you through your projects. These projects are rooted in a realistic interior design situation, so you’ll get experience working with software or even rearranging your own space. Through various other mediums, such as social media, you can share your work and get feedback from others outside of the class too.
In these self-paced courses, you can also discuss projects and interior design concepts via interactive discussion boards with peers and instructors. You can get feedback on your work and learn more about other’s perspectives. This gives your learning experience a more personalized feel and lets you know if you are on the right track or not. The discussion forums set VDCI apart from other self-paced providers who may not offer this additional interaction via mentorship, discussion forums, or bonus training. Combining all these resources will help you feel more confident and prepared to take on advanced interior design projects.
How Can Self-Paced Interior Design Training Supplement Other Interior Design Training?
Self-paced interior design training can be a great way to enhance other forms of education too, whether you’re enrolled in a formal design program or pursuing another type of training. If you are in a college or university program, you can take self-paced courses over the summer or during holiday breaks to dive deeper into specific subjects and help make your upcoming semester easier. For example, if you’re about to learn advanced CAD skills, taking a self-paced course can give you an advantage and give your design skills a little extra flair.
Another benefit is how self-paced classes can help you apply what you have learned in real life. For instance, maybe you’re enrolled in an interior design bootcamp where you get experience with AutoCAD but very little else. You can follow along with your self-paced course to get practical experience with other aspects of interior design that can further inform your AutoCAD training. For instance, you may take a self-paced course in another type of 3D modeling software or learn more about lighting design. You could also explore sustainability and apply those techniques to your AutoCAD designs.
Plus, these classes are helpful if you need extra help while working on a particular project. In your formal interior design training, you may encounter a challenging concept that you’re having trouble understanding. Instead of being stuck and hoping for the best in the next session, you can jump into a self-paced course to quickly learn and get up to speed. The additional practice makes the learning experience even less daunting and gives you more confidence. It’s like having a secondary toolkit that you can pull out whenever you need a little extra help refining your interior design skills.
How to Decide if Self-Paced Interior Design Training is Right for Me?
Deciding if a self-paced interior design course is right for you comes down to a few factors. First, you have to understand your learning style. One of the best advantages of self-paced learning is the ability to pace yourself. Whether you need extra time to grasp a specific concept or want to move quickly through information you’re already familiar with, self-paced courses allow you to do so. Another factor to consider is your schedule. If you think you’re far too busy for a traditional course, a self-paced option gives you the freedom to balance your learning with other priorities. You can still learn through videos, quizzes, design tools, and hands-on projects but in a way that suits your needs.
You may decide that self-paced training isn’t for you. If you prefer immediate feedback and interaction, a live online or in-person class may be more aligned with your needs. Likewise, if you’re struggling with a concept and like direct guidance, a self-paced course may be frustrating. Having to research answers to your own questions may be stressful, cause you to lose focus, and result in more confusion. If you aren’t as disciplined without having an instructor there to hold you accountable, it’s best to consider other training methods.
Self-paced training works best for self-motivated students who are comfortable working independently. If you can stay on top of the assignments without needing a lot of structure or deadlines, this format could be great for you. Likewise, if you need flexibility to juggle your work life, learning journey, and other personal matters, you’ll appreciate this training method and the ability to learn when it’s convenient for you. Overall, self-paced courses are great for busy folks who are dedicated and goal-oriented enough to know exactly what it takes for them to acquire the relevant skills, whether that’s design software or design principles.
However, it’s important to remember that self-paced training isn’t for everyone. Some students need more structure and stability to stay motivated, so it’s important to consider if this applies to you before enrolling. The lack of a neutral learning environment may lead to distractions and disturbances that derail your studies. Furthermore, you may appreciate a social learning environment and feel overwhelmed if you’re left to your own devices. In other words, without a traditional learning model, these kinds of students may lack the accountability to keep up with the work of a self-paced course.
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.