How to Learn Interior Design

Interior Design focuses on creating spaces that are functional, user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and enhances people’s mood. Learning this skill is instrumental for those who are interested in becoming an Interior Designer or a related professional. The number of options for learning Interior Design might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences.

Whether you’re considering in-person or online learning, there’s a lot to consider. Learning Interior Design has the potential to change your life and the way you interact with the world. That is why it’s so important that you can make an informed decision about whether or not learning professional Interior Design skills is right for you. This guide will discuss the various methods of learning Interior Design so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

What is 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).

Read more about what Interior Design is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Interior Design?

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.

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In-Person Interior Design Training

Most people are well acquainted with traditional in-person learning because it’s familiar and widely accepted as the fastest way to learn new skills. The perks that come with in-person interior design training include face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers, a distraction-free learning space, real-time feedback, active engagement, increased soft skills development, and increased motivation. Some of the points to consider when choosing live in-person training include the commute and how it fits into your schedule, geographic limitations, and learning pace differences.

When choosing in-person Interior Design classes, consider Noble Desktop’s comprehensive AutoCAD Masterclass to learn basic to advanced AutoCAD skills to apply to your interior designing and AutoCAD Bootcamp if you want to slow things down a little bit and spend more time on basic and intermediate design skills. You’ll also find classes like Tour the Interior Design Building at the New York School of Interior Design and Introduction 3D Modeling / SketchUp at FIELD COLONY in your in-person training search.

Live Online Interior Design Training

Live online training is very reminiscent of in-person classes. While there are some differences, the biggest difference, and perhaps the biggest advantage, is that students do not have to commute to class, allowing them to attend from their location. Classes are held through a video sharing platform, so sessions can be recorded and shared. Other benefits of attending live online interior design training include not having to worry about geographic barriers, making fewer adjustments to your schedule, and oftentimes, better pricing options. You’ll still get to interact with peers and instructors and receive real-time feedback as well. Drawbacks of this learning format can include less student engagement, not always having a distraction-free environment, managing technological issues, and accessibility issues for those with certain disabilities.

When choosing live online Interior Design classes, be sure to check out VDCI SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Bundle to gain a solid foundation in 3D modeling and rendering with this software; BIM Certificate Program to gain skills in Revit and BIM; and Photoshop Fundamentals Bundle to master Adobe Photoshop. You’ll also find courses like Design Essentials: How to Accessorize Rooms at the New York School of Interior Design, Revit Architecture Masterclass from the Knowledge Academy, and AutoCAD Map 3D Essentials from LANTEC of Louisiana Corporate Training Center.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

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.

On-Demand Interior Design Classes

Another popular interior design learning format is on-demand or self-paced. These pre-recorded classes are offered online. They allow students to start, stop, pause, and rewind as they see fit without any scheduling constraints. Because the classes are pre-recorded, commuting to class is not a problem, and there are no geographic limitations. Some of the drawbacks to on-demand learning include isolation, the absence of real-time feedback, no hands-on instructor assistance, and a lack of accountability and motivation. On-demand classes are best suited for learners with very tight schedules or budgets and self-starters who are highly motivated.

You’ll find that on-demand interior design classes can vary widely. Some are free while others have a fee. Courses will vary in length and the amount of time you have access to them. Because each enrollee will complete the course on their own time, these classes are measured in course material hours instead of weeks or months like live classes. On-demand interior design classes are sometimes strictly foundational and others will teach advanced skills and topics. This 30-hour VDCI Introduction to AutoCAD on-demand class may appeal to you. It provides a strong foundation with the software for those who have no experience with the software. If you’re already familiar with AutoCAD, perhaps you need to learn Revit and BIM integration. This 60-hour Revit Fundamentals Bundle may appeal to you. Or this 10-hour Blueprint Reading for Residential Construction self-paced course that covers the fundamentals of blueprint reading and interpreting complex construction documents.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn interior design, you might be unsure about which one is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning path is that you get to pick which combination of tools you prefer; you don’t have to stick with what an instructor chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting an interior design learning format. If you have a lot of responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time and place every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better suited to your schedule and lifestyle since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online.

Why Learn Interior Design?

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).

Read more about why you should learn Interior Design.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost

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.

Learn Interior Design with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

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.