Explore a Career in Interior Design

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$389

AUD

35% off

$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
2884 Students

Explore a career in interior design as you learn how to transform any room into a beautiful and functional space.

Are you a creative person with an eye for design? If so, this course will show you how to transform plain living spaces into beautiful and functional rooms.

Interior design takes training as well as talent, and these lessons will give you the know-how you need to design a room from floor to ceiling. You'll delve into colour theory, industry trends, spatial arrangements, floor plans, traditional and modern interior design ideas, and other basics. In addition, you'll explore a range of careers in interior design and get insider tips for entering this exciting field.

Because interior design is constantly evolving, you'll also learn about some of the latest trends affecting the industry. You'll investigate ""green"" sustainable design, and you'll find out how to modify your designs for people with special needs.

As you master design skills step-by-step, you'll complete your first project: a fully developed room design complete with spatial layout, lighting, and finish selections. Your new knowledge and hands-on practice will give you the confidence you need to start creating beautiful residential interiors for yourself and others.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

This first lesson will open your eyes to all the career possibilities available to you in the world of interior design, and particularly in the realm we'll be focusing on: residential design. You'll explore the wide range of opportunities and challenges you'll encounter as you design these spaces, whether you're creating a comfortable family room or outfitting a sleek urban penthouse. Then you'll take a look at the other side of design, the commercial sphere, where interior designers create everything from exclusive boutique hotels to Madison Avenue retail storefronts. This lesson also explains the differences between interior design and interior decoration so that you can choose the discipline that suits you best. By the end of this lesson, you'll be familiar with many types of careers you probably never knew existed. With this introduction, you'll be on your way to becoming part of the design community.

In Lesson 2, I'll introduce you to the specialized drawing tools interior designers use to help them create and present their designs. Then we'll explore some fundamental concepts—the elements of design—that will serve as the building blocks of all the compositions you create. Finally, we'll review the principles of design—guidelines for combining these elements into beautiful compositions. If you already feel confident in your abilities to design, this lesson will give you a checklist to make sure your designs work visually. And if you're a bit nervous or insecure about creating your designs, these skills will provide a safety net to assure that your designs are harmonious and beautiful.

This lesson takes you on a journey throughout the past and present, and prepares you for your future designs as we explore a plethora of design styles. We begin in the Renaissance in Italy and move throughout Europe, from England to Germany, and learn about the progression of interior spaces into the modern age. We then discover the latest trends of today and see which styles are the most popular in cutting-edge homes. And finally, we go around the world and look at how our global world and unique cultures can help us create unique styles we can incorporate into homes today.

In Lesson 4, we'll be covering one of my favorite topics of interior design—color! We'll start off by briefly exploring the science behind color and why we see the way we do. Then I'll show you a tool to help you start building harmonious color palettes. Next, we'll take a look at some of the surprising things that can happen when you put the wrong colors together. By knowing about these unexpected optical illusions, you'll be able to prevent mistakes in your own designs. And finally, you'll learn about the various cultural associations people have with color and discover how you can influence the mood of others through the colors you select for your designs.

As an interior designer, you can let your imagination run wild—but how can you make sure that the ideas in your head materialize in the space you're designing? That's where architectural drawings come in. They communicate the designer's vision to the clients, the contractors, the architect, and others. In this lesson, you'll get an overview of the kinds of drawings interior designers use throughout the design process. You'll learn to identify and read various types of technical drawings, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and details.  Then you'll explore drawings in three-dimensions as we discuss axonometric, one-point, and two-point perspective presentation drawings.

Sharpen those pencils because this lesson is going to get down to the nitty-gritty of design. We're talking feet and inches as we look at the guidelines and standard measurements that are the industry-wide rules of thumb when planning spaces. Before you can think three-dimensionally, you've got to start with a simple piece of paper and an architect's scale and make sure that you can get all the necessities to fit within a space—where they're comfortable without being tight and spacious without feeling empty.

So, your space is all laid out. But your clients won't be living in a graph paper world! In this lesson, we'll be exploring the various types of materials available you can use to achieve beautiful interiors. We'll be looking into a wide range of finishes, which include natural materials (including stone and wood), synthetic materials (tile, laminate, and resilient flooring to name a few), and carpet. By the end of this lesson, you'll have the knowledge to start transforming your pencil-and-paper notions into a full-color, textural space!

As an interior designer, you'll spend a lot of time dealing with textiles. Fabrics, after all, cover our interior world—from bedding to window treatments to upholstery. In this lesson, you'll get an introduction to the various types of fibers available, as well as their various strengths and weaknesses, so you can make best selections for each application.  After mastering the various types of textile goods, you'll take a closer look at where you'll be using these fabrics, starting with the various styles of bedding and pillows.  You'll finish up the lesson with windows—or, more precisely, window treatments—and get some pointers on how to successfully design draperies that will beautifully frame the transition between your stunning interior design and nature's beauty of the outdoors.

Light is one of the most important but also one of the trickiest elements to get right in an interior space.  This lesson will explain the psychology behind good lighting design and help you create the right effect in your space while making it visually interesting without becoming overwhelming or flat and dull.  You'll also become familiar with the various types of light fixtures available to use in your designs and learn how to select from the many types of artificial light sources available on the market today.

With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, barriers were literally removed, allowing a previously excluded population access to spaces meant for everyone.  In this lesson, you'll explore how to incorporate some of the requirements of this act into the home, creating spaces that allow retirees to age gracefully in their homes.  And for users with more specific disabilities, you'll learn how to adapt their spaces to allow them to maintain their independence through your design choices.

Increasingly, people in the world are becoming aware that we have limited resources at our disposal.  Many in the interior design industry are pioneering new ways of designing that look at the life cycle of a product and consider the environmental implications.  In this lesson, you'll learn about green design, which is the art of creating beautiful spaces that are efficient in their use of energy and natural resources.  You'll learn about various types of green certification so you aren't mislead by false claims and explore specific things you'll want to consider when dealing with certain types of products.

In this lesson, the course culminates with practical advice on how to set up and run your own interior design business.  You'll get some suggestions on how to set up your studio by determining the legal business structure, advice on how to look the part, and practical recommendations for outfitting your space. Then, you'll move on to the fine art of getting and serving clients, including suggestions on marketing yourself and setting your pricing structure so you can make money doing what you love.  Finally, I'll offer some advice as you navigate the construction process with your contractors, clients, and vendors.

Sarah Smallwood

Sarah Smallwood is a licensed interior designer and design strategist. She has a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in architecture and is currently pursuing her MFA in Design Management. Sarah’s passion lies in the ... Read more

Read Sarah Smallwood's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

This course sparked an even stronger desire in me to learn beyond what I learned here, which is the highest compliment I can extend. Sarah's lessons were so informative and never boring. She also gives you strong support and positive encouragement along the way in the discussion area. I recommend this course highly to anyone interested in interior decorating and design, either just for their own personal use or as a career. And I envy you lucky people who will be having Sarah as their instructor in the future! I'll miss her and this course!

Verified Student

This course was a little bit of work and a lot of fun. I truly enjoyed Sarah's style; her enthusiasm for her profession comes through in the material, assignments, quizzes & discussions. Although I have a lot of experience in interior design (many, many, remodeled homes), I have no formal training. The course fairly devotes time to both residential & commercial and I found myself learning new things and having existing skills reinforced. Great experience and many thanks!

Verified Student

I totally enjoyed taking this fun class. I will be able to use it in the future when I move into my new home. Sarah was an excellent teacher and I would strongly suggest to anyone to take this class because of her wealth of knowledge in design and her teaching skills.

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Explore a Career in Interior Design you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

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Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Explore a Career in Interior Design

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Microsoft Excel 2010 for Teachers

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
394 Students

Specially designed for teachers, this course will help you master Microsoft Excel 2010 and teach Excel skills to your students.

Bring the power of Microsoft Excel 2010 into your classroom! This course, designed especially for teachers, gives you the skills you need to use Excel with ease and confidence. In addition, it offers teaching tips and standards-based lesson plans and activities so you can pass your Excel knowledge on to students at any grade level.

First, you'll cover the Excel fundamentals that making student grading and data collection a snap: Using tabs, formatting cells and worksheets, and inserting formulas for mathematical calculations. In addition, you'll learn how to create colorful charts and graphs to enhance reports and projects.

Then you'll move on to more advanced Excel features that allow you to easily sort and analyze student test data for differentiated instruction or even manage school fund-raisers. You'll write powerful mathematical formulas and use Excel to automatically calculate student averages and other statistics. You'll finish the course by creating a customisable grade book that you can use in your own classroom to group students for differentiated instruction, reading groups, team sports, or special education programs.

By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of this powerful Microsoft Office program. You'll also have a whole new set of time-saving classroom management tools, and a wealth of ideas for integrating technology into your lesson plans across your curriculum.

Whether you've used Excel for years or you're a beginner, don't miss out. This course will show you how Excel can make teaching easier and much more fun!

Before you teach your students to use Excel, you'll need to learn the basics of this great program. So we'll start off our first lesson by going over some of the terms that are most commonly used in Excel, and then we'll take a tour through the various features of an Excel workbook to get you acquainted with the look and feel of the application and how you can use it in the classroom. You'll learn easy ways to move your cell pointer around within the Excel workspace, as well as a few keyboard shortcuts that will help you move to where the action is a little more quickly. At the end of this first lesson, you'll get to try your hand at creating your first Excel formula.

In this lesson, you're going to create your first worksheet—a skill that you can teach in your own classroom! We'll start by going over the five steps you'll need to follow to create a worksheet in Excel: Stating your objective, adding labels, adding numbers, adding formulas, and changing the overall look of the worksheet using predesigned templates. We'll also begin our ongoing discussion about ways you can use Excel in your classroom to improve student learning across your curriculum.

In today's lesson, you'll learn some valuable techniques that will help you save a lot of time in the classroom while using Excel. The first and the best technique is called Auto Fill, and I know you're going to get a lot of use out of it! Excel's Auto Fill allows you to enter a series of numbers, dates, or other values into your worksheets as quickly as you can click and drag your mouse. We'll practice using it to enter some of Excel's standard lists like months of the year and days of the week. Then we'll go over how to create custom Auto Fill lists to help you enter text that you need to enter often—like your classroom roster or athletic team roster. After that, we'll go over some of Excel's advanced formatting options to make your numbers appear as currency, percents, or carried out to various decimal places.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to worksheets full of complex data calculations, that old saying is even truer. In this lesson, you'll learn how to use Excel's charting features to display the data you've entered in colorful charts that give meaning to your numbers. After we take a look at a few of Excel's many chart styles, we'll practice adding defining information to your charts, such as titles, data labels, and legends. Then we'll go over how to customize the colors of your chart. We'll finish with a discussion on the many ways you can use charting and graphing tools across your curriculum.

In this, the second lesson in our two-part discussion on Excel's charting capabilities, we'll go over advanced charting techniques. You'll learn how to change chart types, add text, add shapes, and even add your own pictures to your charts. Then you'll find out how to add lines, arrows, and other helpful graphic features to your charts. And, as with most lessons in this course, I'll give you more lesson plan ideas that you can use to bring these Excel techniques into your own classroom.

Today we're going to take a break from the step-by-step Excel instruction to visualize how it will look when you begin using this valuable program in your own classroom, no matter what grade level you teach. We're going to review three teacher-created lesson plans for grades 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12, and then talk about ways you can adjust these lesson plans for different age groups, different content areas, and different learning styles and needs.

In today's lesson, you'll find out how to turn any old worksheet into a database. Because once you're working with a database, you'll gain access to one of Excel's most helpful features. You'll be able to easily locate, organize, and summarize the information you need. We'll practice using a sample database, and then we'll explore Excel's AutoFilter and Sort features. With these tools, you'll be able to quickly sort and group your students for differentiated instruction.

In this lesson, you'll learn about the three different types of cell references that you can incorporate into a formula, and I'll explain when you should use each one. This is great information if you plan to use Excel to help you maintain a budget for your classroom, or if you're teaching a lesson on money and budgets!

Now that you know all the ins and outs of creating one worksheet, it's time to really organize your classroom! Today, you're going to learn how to use sheet references to create three-dimensional workbooks, linking different worksheets so that the linked information updates automatically. This can be really helpful if you want to create monthly or quarterly grade books, and then compile all that information into one end-of-year grade summary for each of your students.

Remember statistics class in high school? It wasn't the easiest class, but now that you're a teacher, you know how important statistics are when you're trying to evaluate your students' assessment scores. If you need to demonstrate and report student progress, this lesson is for you. Today we're going to go over the basics of statistics in Excel. You'll learn how to use functions to simplify the process of calculating averages, deviations, minimums, maximums, modes, and more. We'll also discuss how these tools can help you target your students' strengths and areas of need.

Today's lesson is all about saving you time. We'll go over how to use macros to automate all your tedious tasks in Excel, and then I'll show you how to build a macro of your very own. You'll also learn how to add time-saving buttons to the toolbars at the top of your screen. And we'll talk about ways you can customize those toolbars to better meet your needs.

In our final lesson, we'll put everything you've learned together into one final project—an electronic grade book that you can use in your own classroom! Even if you already have one, you'll want to follow along to see what's going on behind the scenes in Excel. Plus, when we build this grade book, you'll have the chance to customize it for your own needs while reviewing most of the skills you've learned throughout the course. And I'll show you a few new skills, too. For instance, you'll learn how to create a formula that will assign each student a letter grade based on test or assessment averages. And then you'll learn how to apply conditional formatting to color-code your student lists according to those averages. This is a great skill to know if you like to separate your class into different reading, math, or other groups! Finally, you'll learn how to create and print charts and graphs based on your grade book data.

Robin Sellers

Robin Sellers is a certified teacher with a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Technical and Professional Communication. She has over 11 years of experience in the traditional classroom and has been an online instructor since 2000, trai... Read more

Read Robin Sellers's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Microsoft Excel 2010 for Teachers you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.