Interior Design Prerequisites

Interior Design centers on the well-planned thought and design process that defines and redefines a space, its functionality, its emotional tone, and its design. It’s a great skill for creatives to learn as it is an integral part of modern life. You might worry that Interior Design will be too hard to learn. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning Interior Design and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. Rest assured, knowing that you’ll be successful however, you choose to apply your new skills. 

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. 

Learn Interior Design

• Nationally accredited
• Create your own portfolio
• Free student software
• Learn at your convenience
• Authorized Autodesk training center

Learn More

Is Interior Design Easy to Learn?

In short, interior design can be easy to learn for some individuals. Interior design is a highly creative field that requires problem-solving, interior design concepts like color theory, and a keen eye for detail. There’s a science to this art that can involve knowing how to read blueprints, working with design software like AutoCAD and SketchUp Pro, and being familiar with building codes. The ease of learning interior design will be different from person to person, depending on their natural creativity, interest in design principles, and willingness to put in the time and effort. Many learners find that the more technical aspects of interior design, like various software, provide the steepest learning curves. 

For those who are naturally inclined to visual arts, concepts like color theory, balance, and proportion may be a no-brainer. Then some find experimenting with color wheels and visualizing furniture in a space challenging. Learners who are more technical-minded may find learning spatial planning and ergonomics easier to pick up than mixing and matching textiles. 

Remember that whether you have previous experience with interior design or not, interior design is a multifaceted discipline that requires aesthetics, discipline, functionality, safety, and adherence to project budgets and timelines. Regardless of how easy or difficult you find learning interior design, it is a worthwhile experience that can be achieved with perseverance, patience, and practice. The more you practice what you’re learning, the more developed your skills will become.

What to Know Before Learning Interior Design

Before diving into learning interior design, some concepts to get familiar with include basic computer skills, design fundamentals, and architectural elements. While you’ll likely learn all of these things and more in your training, it helps to have some idea of what they are and how they relate to interior design. 

Basic Computer Skills

Although you’ll be working with various textiles, materials, furniture, and other physical items, there’s a lot of room for technology in the business of interior design. Basic computer skills will leave you with a little less to learn when it comes to using various design software or creating stunning presentations to get your clients excited about your ideas. Knowing how to navigate the Internet, open, close, and save files, and move between applications is critical to feeling more at ease learning more complicated software like Photoshop and AutoCAD.

Design Fundamentals

Although you don’t need to know the science behind color, color theory, proportions, and balance, it’s helpful to have some idea of what these concepts are and how they work together in a design. These are the building blocks of interior design, and therefore critical to your success as a professional in this field.

Architectural Elements

There’s a lot of vocabulary to learn in this field. An understanding of basic architectural elements, such as ceiling heights, wall structures, and window placements, will be useful as you learn about spatial planning and navigating blueprints and building codes. Creating functional designs will rely on your ability to incorporate this kind of information into your designs.

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.