Written on April 9, 2010 at 4:26 am

Guide to the Online Courses of Interior Design

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Online courses makes an education possible for just about anyone, at any stage of their life, to achieve an objective or fulfill a life long dream. People with the desire to learn are no longer bound by disabilities, geographical locations, social status or their own private history. With an education online everything starts afresh and it is never too late.

There are some educational courses that offer a course in interior design online. As the demand for interior designers continue to grow, Online courses provide students with the option of courses interior design at home at their own convenience. Let us look at The Institute Of Interior Design. Please be aware that the writer is not recommending this course but providing information only.

The Institute of Interior Design has been in operation since 1998. With facilities in the USA, the UK, Australia, India and Pakistan, the Institute offers Certificate and Diploma home study courses in interior design. The Institute is accredited by the Open and courses Quality Council (ODLQC). This body was set up in 1968 and is one of the prime accreditation bodies for distance courses courses.

Every interior design courses tends to be a little different with a slightly varying focus, however, as with all education the courses and subjects you learn about at courses simply prepare you to enter the workforce and do not indicate any real capability to satisfy a particular client. Those skills are not learned in an interior design courses but learned though many projects with other designers and perhaps an apprenticeship.

The course claims to show how to become a professional interior designer. The online course provides a complete courses package full of information, tips and exercises providing a permanent reference library essential for consulting after completing the course.

The course has been constructed by experienced industry experts. Interested DIY (Do It Yourself) interior designers will find this online course ideal as it offers advice of how to approach each room. The course provides insight into the world of interior design. The course covers areas of interest such as selecting the right fabrics, presentation of designs, finding customers, how much to charge and the paper work required. The aim of the course is to provide precise and helpful information about professional interior design

Accreditation is an important aspect of any course. What is the point of paying for a course if it is not recognized as being of any value? This course is fully accredited by ASET providing an award equivalent to Level 4 of the National courses Framework (post A level/HNC/HND standard). ASET is a national Awarding Body recognized by the Department of Education and Skills and by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in Britain. It has been accrediting vocational courses for more than 50 years and now works with more than 200 providers in the UK and internationally.

There is no need to have a talent for drawing as the course reveals how to produce competent drawings by hand. The course also supplies a copy of ‘Visual Home’ which is a powerful but easy-to-use computer program that quickly produces beautiful floor plans.

Many students take around 18 months to gain their Diploma. It is worth remembering that because it is home study, the student studies at their own pace. They can take as long as they want as the Institute sets no time limit.

The course material includes numerous self-assessment exercises plus assignments which are evaluated by an experienced tutor. The tutor is there to help and offer advice and suggestions on anything to do with interior design.

It used to be understood that in any trade, whether a doctor, lawyer or an interior designer, education was only a part of courses that trade. Today the lines are being blurred in Interior Design as many college graduates leave their interior design courses with a piece of paper that says that they can design, and certification or entry into key organizations is approved at that point. This should simply not be the case; a lawyer or doctor does not come straight out of courses and is then allowed to operate independently. The doctor or lawyer must go through an intern program or practice as an associate before they are granted their own license.

Because one is able to tell the difference between red and green does not mean that they know how to use these colors appropriately in someone’s living room. That takes years of understanding, listening to the client’s voice not your own, and courses from an experienced designer. That is why an interior design apprenticeship period should be required before any form of certification is granted or entry into a particular society.

The course will show the student how to set up an interior design practice. A Diploma is issued on successfully completing the course as recognition of the skills and the knowledge acquired. It will enable the successful student to use the initials Dip.ID (Inst.ID) after their name. Their name is added to the Institutes list of Approved Interior Designers with an ‘Approved Designer’ logo to add to their website. If requested, the Institute of Interior Design will also send out a press release to the local newspapers to inform the public of the new practice.

Some students are a bit nervous about enrolling so it is best for the individual students to contact the Institute and inquire about their guarantees and refund policies.

There are other interior design courses available online and a few credible courses are offering four year online programs. Be aware that online programs and distance courses courses in the field of interior design may not be recognized as a sufficient or credible form of education. Prospective students should question whether the interior design online program will provide the student with the credentials required to be licensed in most states and provinces or to be hired by most interior design firms. It would not hurt for serious students to investigate the graduation rates and find out where the graduates of these interior design online courses are employed.

Interior design courses are helpful as they can provide the attendee with some basic competencies in a dedicated environment. These skills can also be learned in the apprenticeship as well, and then tested if necessary. However, what sets the true interior designer apart is their capability to take the budget, the environment, the client’s perspective and the client’s spoken words into account when building the environment they will live in.