Interior Design is an art and a science that is used to enhance spaces to achieve an aesthetically pleasing environment for those who use it. It requires the consideration and execution of concepts that include spatial layouts, color, lighting, furniture, and other decorative elements. If you’ve always wanted to learn Interior Design but can’t figure out how to get started, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll learn more about the various ways to learn Interior Design, free resources to take advantage of, and the types of careers that commonly use Interior Design.
Interior design refers to the process of designing the interior floor plan of a public, commercial, or private building. This includes both the process of handling the aesthetic design of the interior (decisions related to things like furnishing and paint) and the practical concerns such as how different rooms are connected to one another. This can be distinct from the design of general layouts and building exteriors or it can be done as a part of the initial design phases of the project.
Interior design projects can be technical, creative, or both. While most people think of interior design in the same way they think of interior decorating (and these two fields do often overlap), several technical and technological skills are associated with interior design. Not only will you need to learn how to use applications like AutoCAD or SketchUp to design floor plans, but you’ll also need to learn how to work with clients, how to provide reasonable and actionable floor plans and you’ll need to have a basic understanding of the regulations and laws that govern how different buildings are designed (within reason, an interior designer who specializes in floor plans for commercial buildings probably won’t need to know the laws governing plumbing infrastructure but they should have a good idea how to avoid creating fire hazards in their designs).
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There are many ways for interior design to express itself, and just as many ways for you to express yourself or someone else through interior design. Some of the more well-known reasons to implement interior design include self-expression, increased functionality, enhanced comfort, and influence the mood and experience of those using a space. Whether you’re using interior design skills on residential or commercial properties, it is important to make the most of the space and meet not only the needs of those using the space but also work within the parameters of the space itself.
In addition to the more widely recognized uses for interior design, it’s also possible to increase the value of a property. Not only does interior design have some bearing on a property’s curb appeal but also its functionality. Oftentimes, interior design will require some updates and renovations. On such occasions, the quality of materials like flooring, cabinetry, and fixtures will factor into the property value. Likewise, incorporating more energy-efficient elements and market trends can also drive values upward.
It’s possible to find interior design professionals in many different, and sometimes surprising, industries. Apart from the arts industry, you will also find interior design thriving in the hospitality, entertainment, and retail industries. These professionals can use their skills in many ways to bring about more environmentally sustainable designs, improve hotels and resorts, and design stage play sets.
While some of these interior design career paths are less known, the possibilities are diverse. A Set Designer is someone who uses interior design concepts to create sets for television, film, photography, and theater. It’s their job to create sets that help bring the director’s or photographer’s vision to life. As a Lighting Designer, you’ll be tasked with making the most out of the lighting in a variety of spaces from commercial areas to film sets by highlighting key features, creating the right ambiance, and using lighting schemes to enhance the overall design.
Other career paths include design journalism, which allows its professionals to write about interior design, innovations and trends in materials, and other aspects of the profession for various print and web publications; furniture design, which involves the designing and development of furniture, taking into consideration aesthetics, ergonomics, and the space it is planned for (like hotels, offices, or children’s bedrooms); and visual merchandising, which focuses on the in-store design and layout to maximize sales and to best showcase merchandise. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the interior design field is growing at an average rate, making this field a desirable option.
Interior design is an in-demand skill that can open up professional opportunities as a career and as part of a broader architectural toolkit. Almost all construction projects will involve a lengthy interior design process and many private and commercial renovation projects are fronted by interior designers. Thus, learning how to do interior design work is a good way to build a profitable set of career skills if you are interested in working in or around the construction or architecture fields.
There are many reasons to learn interior design. It can enrich your life in many ways and provide you with the skills to positively impact the environments others live, work, and play. Interior design and decorating can also be a useful skill set to pick up if you are interested in remodeling work, house flipping, or just having a side gig working on smaller design projects (for instance, a kitchen or basement renovation).
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Whether you choose in-person learning or live online learning, it is possible to prepare yourself for a successful career in interior design. Live classes offer more opportunities for hands-on and collaborative learning. If you thrive in social learning settings, want to network with peers, and enjoy structured routine and accountability, live classes are a great option for you. Live classes like Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Bootcamp and AutoCAD Certification Program, can prepare you for working with this popular interior design tool and use its features expertly in your designs. The New York School of Interior Design offers live classes, including Introduction to Interior Design and A Guide to Upholstered Furniture.
Is your schedule very tight or unpredictable at times? Online self-paced classes can help you reach your interior design learning goals as your schedule permits. You can skip the commute, study while working a full-time job, and focus on your studies when you choose. Schools like the Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offer classes that can move you toward a career in interior design with courses that are designed to help you learn the skills you need in the field and how to use the most popular interior design tools like SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop.
When you’re not sure if interior design is the right path for you, or you’d prefer to be self-taught, consider using high-quality free resources. Tutorials on vendor sites, written guides, and Noble Desktop free seminars and YouTube channels are just a few examples that can help you along your learning journey. Whether you’re on a tight budget or not, free resources can positively impact your learning journey. They can be leveraged to help you through difficult concepts, provide practice or deeper studying, or even provide you with a different perspective.
Read the full guide on how to learn Interior Design.
Not sure if a full interior design course is the best option for you? You can get your feet wet by exploring interior design for free online. In this free Photoshop seminar, you’ll learn some Adobe Photoshop basics that can be leveraged in your interior design designs, including color corrections, layers, and choosing the right resolution for your projects. Although it’s difficult to learn some of the software and tools that Interior Designers use, free resources like YouTube, vendor sites, and blogs can get you through rough patches.
Other free online resources that can help you learn interior design include open online course platforms like Udemy and Coursera. Taking advantage of sites like these is a great way to learn whether or not a career in interior design is right for you. Likewise, if you’re interested in going the self-taught route, online course platforms like this can be instrumental in providing you with some structure and support. You’ll find interior design classes that cover topics like 3D modeling software, home staging, and design theory.
Read about more free Interior Design videos and online tutorials.
It’s important to remember that the difficulty or ease of learning a new skill is subjective. Some factors that will impact how challenging you find learning interior design to be include your prior experience with concepts and software, your natural aptitude, and your learning style. You’ll find that there are many ways to combat any difficulty you encounter, including using supplemental learning resources like YouTube, articles, online tutorials, and peer support. While it’s possible to be self-taught, you may find that learning interior design is much easier and less stressful when you have the support of a knowledgeable instructor.
While learning interior design is certainly accessible to beginners with little technical experience, there is some prerequisite knowledge that can make your interior design learning journey go a bit more smoothly and feel less alien. Having a basic understanding of computers and how to perform fundamental tasks such as opening and closing applications, saving, opening, and closing files, and switching between applications can alleviate some of the stress of learning interior design software and tools like Revit. It’s also helpful to be familiar with design fundamentals like color theory and proportions and architectural elements like spatial planning. There’s no need to be an expert, but familiarity can shorten your learning curve.
The cost of learning interior design will depend largely on the educational route you take. If you decide to enroll in a two-year or four-year degree program, you can spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Certificate and vocational programs and bootcamps typically cost hundreds to several thousand dollars. You can also learn interior design for free using the many free resources found online, like free seminars, YouTube, and tutorials. You should also keep in mind that the cost of learning interior design will often include subscriptions to software like Photoshop, AutoCAD, and SketchUp.
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There are many fields that relate to Interior Design, including architectural designing, interior landscaping, and CAD designing. They all combine technical skills, art, and design to create spaces that are inviting, functional, and user-friendly. Architectural planning and principles are key to forming the bones of a space, and it is the foundation that upholds Interior Design.
Different Interior Design career paths have different educational paths that can range in length from six months to five years. The cost can range from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Earning a bachelor’s or associate’s degree will give you a more in-depth and comprehensive education, but the learning path you choose should match your career goals. Certificate programs and bootcamps are also desirable educational paths to becoming an interior design professional.
Architectural Designers and CAD Designers are a big part of interior design and architecture. These interior design career paths are not required to have specific credentials or accreditation, although some in these fields do have a two or four-year degree. Those in these fields translate designs from an abstract idea or a detailed description into tangible, technical, and detailed visual representations to ensure that design requirements are met. They often work closely with Architects and Interior Designers and are typically involved in the design and planning phases of projects. Some of their most commonly used tools include software like AutoCAD and Photoshop.
A main consideration you’ll need to make when deciding the best way to learn interior design is your “why.” you must be clear on what you want to use your interior design skills for. The learning path for someone who wants to become an interior design professional will look a lot different from someone who simply wants to learn how to tackle small projects at home for friends and family. Likewise, if interior design is a related skill to your current career path, and you want to add to your skill set, you may not need the same level of depth that an aspiring Interior Designer would need.
If you’re a complete beginner, not sure that this is the right career path for you, on a tight budget, or want a high-level overview of interior design, a free introductory class, free seminar, or brief online tutorial may be right for you. Taking advantage of free resources can help you develop learning goals and understand how interior design fits into your future. But if you’re looking to gain a strong working understanding of interior design, grow your skills within your current career, close a skill gap, or make a career pivot, paid training like a bootcamp or certificate program can be the right fit.
Other factors to consider include your schedule, your learning style, the cost of education, 1-on-1 mentoring or tutoring availability, and the learning format. Having an understanding of what your learning needs are will help you decide whether in-person or online learning is best for you. Depending on whether you’ve had any previous experience with interior design or interior design software, you may choose to take courses separately to focus on those that you’re not familiar with.
When you’re choosing an interior design class, you’ll want to look for some key features to ensure you’re getting a worthwhile education that will move you toward your dream career. Classes that fit your schedule and lifestyle will help you stay engaged and make it easier for you to succeed. The curriculum should be tailored to interior design topics that are fundamental and in demand if you’re looking to enter the workforce quickly. Expert instructors who are accessible and care about your success, small class sizes, and free retake options are all features that can propel your learning, help you achieve mastery, and reach your interior design learning goals. Luckily, Noble Desktop meets this criteria and is eager to help you get started with interior design today.
Interior Design classes and bootcamps can be taken as an Interior Design Professional Course Bundle. This course is designed to help you learn the tools and software most often used in this field, including AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, and Photoshop. You’ll also learn how to create floor plans, 3D models, and professional and engaging presentations that get the right people excited about your designs. If you’d like to slow down your learning and master one topic at a time, you can start with this AutoCAD Certificate Program that will guide you from basic to advanced use in eight weeks on a part-time schedule or two weeks on a full-time schedule. This certificate program also includes six hours of private tutoring to further deepen your learning.
Whether you want to get started in the workforce as soon as possible or you’d prefer to take your time mastering each in-demand interior design tool or software, Noble Desktop wants to help you achieve your learning goals. With hard work and dedication, you’ll be on the path to building a great career in interior design.
Master the tools and software for interior design in this comprehensive bundle covering AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, and Photoshop. Learn to create professional floor plans, 3D models, and polished presentations, earning a digital credential upon successful completion.
Unlock the power of SketchUp Pro to design stunning 3D models and renderings. This bundle takes you from the basics to intermediate techniques, enabling you to create professional-grade models for architectural and landscape projects.