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Who is this course suitable for?
This course is designed as a professional training program for Interior Designers who wish to work in the residential design market, and it will cover everything you need to work proficiently in that field. This is not a “hobby course”, although some students in the past have enrolled because they are undertaking home renovations. Whether you are serious about making your mark in the industry, or if you simply want to learn from the best, then enrol on this course and you will soon be taking your first steps towards a brighter future.
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What is the difference between an “Interior Designer” or an “Interior Decorator” or an “Interior Architect”?
Interior Designers/Decorators work with clients to choose surface finishes and materials, lighting and colour schemes that all combine together to create a design that is visually pleasing, practical and reflects the personality and lifestyle of their clients. A trained designer has a variety of tools at their disposal that can help them to visualise an interior before they ever begin to make a purchase, and so they avoid the expensive mistakes that most people are only too familiar with. In addition, qualified Interior Designers communicate their ideas and instructions professionally through detailed drawings, specifications and mood boards – so their design ideas are actually achieved the way they intended.
At Limperts Academy of Design, most of our graduating Interior Designers go on to earn a living designing residential homes, and some smaller commercial projects. The main difference between working in residential and commercial design is simply that a different set of skills are generally required for commercial design, and so commercial projects are usually referred to Architects or Interior Architects.
Interior Architects don’t just work with finishes and decorations, they work with interior space, and their training qualifies them to turn a newly-built concrete shell into a restaurant, a shop or even an office. Interior Architects study construction and technical drawing to a an extremely high standard, so they can gut and rebuild an interior if required, and can communicate professionally with their contractors to ensure that everything is carried out to building regulations and to their customers’ expectations. Working in the commercial design sector is exciting, challenging and potentially lucrative, but with tight deadlines and big budgets a high level of skill is demanded – this deeper knowledge and technical ability is what makes the difference between an Interior Designer/ Decorator and an Interior Architect. Our BTEC HND Higher National Diploma prepares students to enter the commercial sector.
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What previous knowledge or experience must I have?
If you already had these skills then you wouldn’t need to learn them from us, so there is no prerequisite for this course except a genuine interest in the subject and obviously an ability to read and write clearly. (Please note that special arrangements can be made for people with learning disabilities. Contact us for further information if required.) All of our course materials are prepared to the highest standards and are written in language that is easy to understand and free from unnecessary jargon; if you have a genuine interest and desire to learn, then we will provide you with the best means to achieve that goal. We don’t believe in excluding people, and we offer excellent training and qualifications to anyone who is willing to make the commitment that a course of this nature requires.
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Do I need to be able to draw?
As we have previously said, if you already had these skills then you wouldn’t need to learn them from us. Drawing is done with the aid of a drawing board and rulers, so if you can draw a straight line then you can produce plans and elevations. On this course, you will be given step-by-step instructions to produce detailed drawings, and by the end of the course you will be shown exactly how to create drawings and specifications to a professional standard.
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Can I use AUTOCAD?
Undoubtedly, AutoCAD has revolutionised the way we produce our drawings today, but students must remember that it is only one of a number of tools that you will use as a designer, and the main focus of this course is on those skills you will need to actually DESIGN commercial interiors. Becoming proficient in AutoCAD requires a huge amount of study, and it is not within the scope of this course to cover it sufficiently. Furthermore, draughting is like writing; you may type most of your letters on computer but you still need to write down notes and letters occasionally – the same is true of technical drawing and it is essential that you learn how to draw by hand so that you can make on-site amendments and produce detailed drawings quickly when needed.
If you already hold an existing qualification in draughting, and you have AutoCAD skills, then you may use AutoCAD to complete your projects. However, if you do not hold a previous qualification in draughting, then you must complete all coursework and final projects using the traditional draughting method. You will be taught how to do so in a step-by-step format, and can expect to achieve professional drawings that are comparable to any AutoCAD drawings you might see. AutoCAD is included in the curriculum for our B.A. program, which you may continue onto after successfully completing the BTEC HND in Interior Design.
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What career options are available?
On successful completion of this course you may work freelance (self-employed), by offering consultancy services directly to individual clients, or you may investigate other opportunities for employment including the following...
- Designing show-homes for builders & property developers
- Advising clientele & providing shopping services in specialised furniture and furnishings stores
- Working with kitchen and bathroom manufacturers to help clients plan their space effectively
- Larger interior design and architectural practices may also hire you to work alongside more senior personnel
In addition to your qualification, one of the best tools you can have to help you impress potential clients and/or employers is a strong
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Will this course sufficiently prepare me to work as a Professional Interior Designer?
This course is designed to train you as a professional Interior Designer working in the area of residential design, and it meets all the standards and requirements of the industry itself, as well as those set by independent training and education organisations around the world. The course assignments will ensure that you learn the necessary skills to be successful in the industry, and even more importantly, that you understand how to apply those skills in practical ways with your clients. From the very beginning of the course you will physically see the effects of the choices you make, so you will know from first-hand experience what works and what doesn’t.
There is no better way for you to learn the course material, and to build your confidence at the same time. Furthermore, the feedback you receive from your tutor throughout the course will confirm your strengths and weaknesses, encouraging you to achieve your best work and to continually improve your ability so that you can pursue your new career with confidence and vigour !
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Will my qualification be recognised?
Limperts Academy of Design is an Awarding Body, and all of our courses have been carefully structured to meet all the standards and requirements of the industry itself, as well as those set by independent training and education organisations around the world. All of our courses have been developed by a dedicated team of Professional Designers/ Consultants, Industry Experts and Training Consultants, so you can be sure that your course is both up to date and relevant. The high standard of work that our students produce continues to gain a strong reputation in this industry, and by the time you have completed this course, you will have built up a portfolio of work which will act as a clear testament to your ability and your professionalism.
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Is there an exam?
Design is unlike traditional academic subjects and examinations of the conventional kind are not appropriate for testing these types of skills and knowledge. On completion of all course assignments, you will be given a Final Project that incorporates everything you will have learned throughout the course into one complete assignment. The project question will be a typical job requirement or client brief, so that you gain experience and are confident in your ability and can apply your knowledge in practical scenarios. You must pass both the coursework AND the Final Project in order to receive your award and the grading criteria are explained in detail in the student handbook that accompanies each course. By the time you have completed the coursework, you should know what is expected in the Final Project, and the grades you will have been receiving on your coursework will give you a strong indication of the final grade you are most likely to receive. At that point, it is very unlikely that you will fail to achieve the standard required on the Final Project. In the event that your project does fail, you will be given the opportunity to re-submit once for a nominal fee.
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What happens if I fail?
Each course assignment is returned to you with detailed feedback to tell you exactly what you what your strengths and weaknesses are so that you can continually improve your work to meet the standards required. If any of your course assignments are below standard, they will be returned to you by your tutor and you will be asked to re-submit the assignment, taking on board the tutor’s comments and feedback. This doesn’t happen often, but even so, it’s all part of the learning process and that is what any course is essentially all about.
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How long does it take to complete an assignment?
Our course fees represent excellent value for money, and everything is included in the price, we stress that there are no hidden costs. All of our course manuals have been specifically written for each program; they are very thorough and contain all the information needed to complete the course. Additional reading lists are provided to students who wish to conduct further research but it should be re-iterated that the course materials have been specifically created to be the best guide available and the manuals provided take the place of any “essential reading” list.
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Are there any additional costs not included within the course fee?
Affiliated Colleges are responsible for setting their own fees, and you must enquire with the college of your choice whether exam fees are covered or not. With the Home Study students, all costs are included in the prices shown...
Students will obviously need to purchase standard stationery items themselves, and we would always encourage students to buy books and magazines to get as many ideas as possible. However, the course materials are very thorough and contain all the information needed to complete the course. Our course fees represent excellent value for money, and everything is included in the price, we stress that there are no hidden costs. The Postage and Packing charge is a once-off payment, which covers the cost of forwarding your initial pack and your coursework. You will obviously pay the postage when you are sending assignments to us, and we will cover the cost of return postage
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Who will be my tutor?
All our tutors are practicing designers and professionals who are actively working in the industry, who teach on a part-time basis. When you send in your first assignment, you will receive details of the tutor who has been assigned to you and how you can contact them.
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How do I contact my tutor?
Anytime you want to contact your tutor directly, just contact us at Limperts Academy of Design by phone, fax or e-mail, and we will forward the request to your tutor immediately. Because all our tutors are actively working in the industry, they spend a limited amount of time in our offices and may not be here when you call. Your tutor will always get back to you within 24 hours, and 90% of the time you will probably receive a response within a couple of hours.
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Why should I choose Home Study?
Work at your own pace - busy working lives and personal commitments often mean that you have limited free time. However, with home study, you can set the pace to suit your lifestyle. You may work at a leisurely pace, or you may be so keen to get into the industry, that you prefer to complete the course in the minimum time possible. Either way, you set the pace that suits you, at the times that best fit your schedule.
Never miss a class or lecture - even with the best intentions, there are times when you just can’t make a class due to sickness or other unavoidable circumstances. The beauty of home study is that you need never worry about missing a class, so you are guaranteed never to miss any vital information.
Save time, energy and money - with home study you can learn in the comfort of your own home, saving you unnecessary costs and travel time. What’s more, listening to our CD’s can make good use of otherwise wasted time in cars or public transport.
An equal opportunity for you to achieve your goals – if you have ever felt restricted by access or mobility problems, discrimination issues or low financial resources, then you’ll appreciate how home study can provide a genuinely equal opportunity to everyone. As a student of Limperts Academy of Design you will be encouraged and guided to achieve your utmost potential and the cost of your education can be paid for in easy installments while you continue to work and earn a full-time income. (Please see the enrolment form for details of our installment options).
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