How to become an interior designer in Australia

Do you love creating new looks in your home? Think you have what it takes to be an interior designer? A degree in interior design is an rewarding accomplishment and an excellent stepping stone to a success career. If interior design is your passion, follow your dreams with a degree. Here is a look at the world of interior design courses, including where you can further your education and enroll in a well-rounded course study program. 

What does an Interior Designer do?

An interior designer makes sure a room looks appealing and is structurally correct. In fact, an interior designer may find it necessary to make structural alterations to a home in order to increase safety, or to make it more functional. As an interior designer, you must understand how lighting, colour, texture and materials work together to create a space that’s appealing to the eye. Some job responsibilities that an interior designer does include:

• Discussing a client’s needs and wants regarding a project
• Formulating designs that keep clients happy, while still being functional
• Creating drawings of the plan
• Deciding on the furniture, floor material, wall coverings, lighting, fixtures, window treatments and fittings
• Devising an estimate of the price of the project, including materials and construction
• Supervising the project, in regards to the tradespeople and the delivery of material
• Evaluating the work and making sure the project is running smoothly, especially in relation to budget and time

Studying Interior Design

In order to become an interior designer, you must complete a program through a university, technical and further education (TAFE) facility or another recognised provider. You can complete the program on-site or through a distance learning program. You’ll learn the basics, as well as more advanced practices. Additionally, you may want to complete some work projects, so you can gain real experience and get an idea of what it’s like to be an interior designer.

Interior design study options

There is a wide variety of interior design courses to choose from, and the ones you opt into will mold you into a professional home stylist. Whether you are looking to further your career or just want to develop your interior design skill set, there are plenty of institutions that will get you there. Here is a look at some of your options:

• Community colleges are a great place to start your education journey in interior design. Not only do they offer thorough course curriculum, but they are also highly affordable as well. Community colleges frequently cater to busy adults, and offer flexible course schedules that meet the needs of working professionals.
• TAFE colleges are another great resource for individuals interested in interior design. Many TAFE colleges offer certificate programs in interior design. Check a TAFE college near you for availability.

• Public and Private Accredited Universities are a premium option for obtaining a degree in interior design. Many offer distance study programs that allow you to study online at home or in another location. 
• Unaccredited courses are offered at a variety of locations and are perfect for individuals who are looking to enrich their personal knowledge of interior design rather than using it for professional development. Classes are often taught by field experts and can give you an inside look at the world of interior design. 

Choosing Interior Design courses

If you plan to pursue a degree in interior design, you will need to pass some pre-requisite courses such as Principles of Interior Design among others. Here is a look at some of the courses you may want to enroll in:

• Colour: A course in colour theory and use can help give you the cutting edge in the interior decorating field.
• Lighting: The difference between a drab home design and a vibrant one can sometimes be the light in which they are presented. A course in the use of lighting can push your styling ability to the front of the class.
• Space Planning: A course that teaches the important practice of prime spacing of furniture and decor.
• Feng Shui– A course on the ancient Chinese methods of aetsthetics and balance in the home can improve your interior design knowledge and prowess in a big way.

If you enjoy styling rooms, you may want to consider making a career out of your passion for interior design. Keep in mind that there are many types of courses and programs available to you. You can learn everything from basic information to the skills necessary to become an advanced professional in this field.

Which courses should you choose?

Choosing the courses you will take in this field is really up to you. Choose those that will allow you to learn the aspects of interior design that you have the most interest in and those that will help you meet your career goals. You may be able to study on-site at a learning facility, but do not overlook the benefits and opportunities present in enrolling in distance learning.

For those people who want to learn on-site, consider all of your options, including specialised interior design schools, university, TAFE, and other options. You can take courses as a full-time student or just do it part-time. The flexibility is there for those who want to use distance learning, though. This type of education, such as Cengage, allows you to learn the skills you need on your own time. The educational providers will give you all of the information and materials you need. You’ll also get the support you need through the process. Distance learning also allows you to learn at your own pace, which may mean learning faster to get your education in a shorter amount of time.

What to do after you complete your schooling

After you complete your education, you’ll be faced with a few different job choices. For instance, you can become part of an established firm. In most cities, you can find both large and small firms. Maybe you’re more independent and have a business mind. If this is the case, then you may wish to work for yourself. You can begin working alone and eventually expand your business and hire other interior decorators as you gain more clientele.