Certified Residential Interior Designer Course Overview
From key design elements and principles to reviewing materials, finishes, color, and textiles, you will leave this interior design certification course with a strong fundamental overview of interior design essentials. This program will help you discover your personal branding and style through its enriching, practical coursework and help you fine-tune your skills.
Beyond your interior design training, you will learn how to build a successful design business, cultivate your client base, and interact with clients in various scenarios appropriately. As a final project, you will have the opportunity to design a family room which can be used as a compelling portfolio presentation to showcase your unique design style.
Job Outlook for Certified Residential Interior Designers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that demand for interior designers will grow 3% with approximately 2,800 new job openings each year over the next decade.
According to BLS, the median salary for interior designers is $63,490 per year. Salaries can vary significantly depending on location, experience, and specialization.
What you鈥檒l learn
- Develop聽proficiency聽in the design process, from聽color theory,聽design elements聽and principles to聽concept development聽and聽final presentation
- Study the history of architecture and interiors to draw inspiration from various design movements and apply historical references in contemporary design work
- Develop an understanding of the material聽selection, lighting聽design聽and the聽application of textiles,聽including聽window treatments,聽placement of fixtures,聽accessories, and artwork
- Obtain聽expertise聽in聽creating cohesive color schemes and聽space planning techniques to effectively design residential spaces to meet clients’ needs
- Acquire聽valuable insights into the business aspects of interior design, including project management, client relations, ethics, and professional practice
Interior Designer FAQs
Are there any prerequisites for taking this course?
There are no specific prerequisites for this course. It is taught at the college level and requires basic high-school level academic competencies. You should have a high school degree or the equivalent, basic liberal arts knowledge, and an understanding of and interest in different cultures. You will also need a basic understanding of computers and must be comfortable navigating the Internet.
What are the technical requirements for taking this course?
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 12 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari is also compatible.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
What instructional materials are included with enrollment?
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- New York School of Interior Design: Home: The Foundations of Enduring Spaces by Ellen S. Fisher
- The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book by Chris Grimley and Mimi Love
Please note: You may receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.
Does this course prepare me to become a licensed interior designer?
Certain states require a license or registration to become a “certified”, “licensed”, or “registered” interior designer and to use such regulated titles in their state. This course does not meet the educational requirements, nor does it prepare students to sit for any licensing exam in order to become a licensed or registered interior designer in any state. This course also does not authorize students to pull work permits.
However, this course is designed for students pursuing a career in residential interior design and prepares a student for the R.I.D.E. (Residential Interior Design Education) credential and Residential Interior Design Qualifying Certification (RIDQC) exam only.
What does my free one-year membership in the Designer Society of America entitle me to?
As a DSA member, you gain increased client exposure, exclusive marketing opportunities, discounts on business tools, access to industry insights and professional growth programs, and the chance to earn recognition through the DSA Design 360 Award.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Start anytime.