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Tutorial One
Introduction to interior design: from colour consultancy to corporate design – professional opportunities as an interior designer. International design periods of the 18th and 19th centuries and the birth of modern interior design.
Mackintosh to Memphis; the essential historical background to modern interior design. Furniture classics. Know your bergére from your ‘Swain’ chair. Getting to know the essential elements and principles of interior design; space, proportion, light, balance and detail. Residential and commercial design. Learning to observe; how to train your designer’s ‘eye’, learning from natural form, keeping a sketchbook and cuttings book to store ideas and inspiration. Current directions in interior design. What the future holds. Assignment.
Tutorial Two
Using natural and artificial lighting effectively to bring a space to life. Types of light, lighting fixtures and styles, direct and indirect lighting. Bright ideas from the experts.
Colour and design: colour everyone’s world. Light and colour, how light and texture affect colour. The colour wheel and how to use it. How colours interact, hue, value, chromatic distribution. The psychological impact of colour, using colour to stimulate or soothe. Special colour effects; feature walls, painted finishes. How to use colour to change spatial perceptions. Using paint and special decorative finishes; limewash, textured finishes, pearlescent finishes, chalkboard paint, stucco lustro. Current trends in colour. Assignment.
Tutorial Three
Introduction: it’s a material whirl. Materials and elements; how to select suitable textiles for different applications. Fabric types and their construction. Upholstered and metal furniture; construction techniques, how to identify quality furnishings or have them custom-made. Window treatments; curtain styles and terminology, blinds, how to measure a window and estimate materials. Floor coverings. How various carpet types are made. Hard flooring, vinyl, linoleum, cork, bamboo, epoxy resin, rugs. Walls; load-baring walls, partition walls, wall finishes. Doors; door materials, door types. Soft furnishings. Completing your scheme with cushions, slipcovers and throws. Custom-made soft furnishings for individual style.
Tutorial Four
You as an interior designer: the traits you need to cultivate. Starting out. Why good design is good business. Design for small space living. Client relations. Dealing with tradespeople, contractors and suppliers. Case study – country cottage. Timber and building terms. Styling properties for pre-sale inspection. How to maximise your clients’ profit. Assignment.
Tutorial Five
Planning and presentation: how to prepare floor plans and scale drawings.
Analysing and evaluating space. How to develop a conceptual and technical understanding of scale and elevation. Lettering techniques. Scale drawing of plans. Examples of floor plans and elevations. The story of British interior design. Architectural periods and interior design styles.
Tutorial Six
Planning and presentation: perspective drawing, making your vision for a space come to life, materials and techniques. How to use free-hand drawing as a tool in the creative process rather than a technical end itself. Examples of perspective drawings. Computer assisted design and how it can aid your business. Colour drawing. Sample boards. Colours and finishes for client presentation. A world of inspiration. Assignment.
Tutorial Seven
Residential kitchen design: how to design kitchens. Space planning and appliance placement, choosing finishes, lighting and storage. Introduction to bathroom design. How to design bathrooms. Effective planning, suitable materials and finishes, heating and ventilation. Examples of floor plans and elevations. Current trends – kitchen and bathroom.
Tutorial Eight
Residential design: planning room layouts. Establishing mood and style. Establishing a focal point, building up a scheme, finishing touches. The essential steps to success in the process of residential design. Design brief. Costing the project. Preparation of quotes and working to a budget. How much to charge. Alternative ways of setting fees. The relationship between designer and client. Client checklists to help you define your clients’ true needs in relation to function, practicalities, aesthetics and budgetary priorities. Documentation. Letter of acceptance. Storage ideas.
The smart home: the growing trend towards smart house technology. What you need to know about ecologically sustainable design. Retrofitting a home for cost savings and environmental benefit. Assignment.
Tutorial Nine
Commercial design: commercial interiors, corporate design. The changes occurring in the modern workplace. Space planning, the need for flexibility, desking systems, ergonomics and government requirements. The importance of environmental branding for business today. Office design. Making work a pleasure. Assignment.
Tutorial Ten
Hospitality design. Retail design. Designing a home office, desking systems, storage and technology needs.
Commercial interiors. Hospitality design; restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels. Retail design and product display; creating friendship between people and products. Design for the disabled. Designing with flowers. Colour services for designers.
Tutorial Eleven
Exhibition design: galleries, museums and tradeshows. Thermal comfort and acoustics. Furniture selection. The interior designer as investment advisor. Interior design – your entrée to special opportunities. How to use professional organisations and support services. Local and international trade shows; websites and email addresses to keep you in touch with what’s happening on the design map. Keeping up with new product information. Keeping an eye on upcoming trends. Designer profiles. Assignment.
Tutorial Twelve
How to start your own home-based interior design consultancy. The typical interior design consultant. How to effectively market your skills and boost your business. How to research new markets, build valuable contact lists and generate effective inquiries. How to win prospective clients. How to use public relations effectively. The value of enrichment. Effective display of artworks. Setting up your interior design business. Checklist for starting your business; naming your business, tax planning, reasons why people will use an interior designer. Defining your client’s budget. Advertising and building your business. Introduction to the Internet; marketing and promotion through websites. Setting up a retail business. Assignment.
Course contents may vary from time to time at the discretion of
British College of Interior Design
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