CONTENTS

1) What is Interior Design?
2) ODL QC Providers - Interior Design courses
3) Which course?
4) Qualifications
5) Further Information
6) Career Information

1) What is Interior Design?

A dictionary definition of Interior Design is...

'...the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment.....draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, product design and furniture design in addition to traditional decoration.'

Interior Designers are likely to be involved with commercial projects (offices, hotels, gyms, restaurants, and other public spaces) or if the work is domestic they tend to design the entire property.

In contrast Interior Decorators deal with...

'....the surfaces (walls, floors, windows) of a property - usually domestic.    They chose the colour scheme, style, paints, wallpaper, flooring, fabrics, furniture.    They are not normally involved in the major structural changes, but deal with the simple refurbishments.'

2) Which ODL QC Providers have Interior Design Courses?

Our accredited providers offer a range of courses relating to Interior Design, from internal decoration to garden design.

The following accredited providers run courses related to Interior Design. Click on their name to link to their website:

• BSY Group
  BSY Provider Page
  
  
• Horticultural Correspondence College
  (Interior landscaping course)
  HCC Provider Page
  
  
• ICS
  ICS Provider Page
  
  
• Interior Design Academy of Ireland
  IDAI Provider Page
  
  
• KLC School of Design
  KLC Provider Page
  
  
• Learning Insitute
  Learning Institute Provider Page
  
  
• Open Learning Centre International
  OLCI Provider Page
  
  
• Regent Academy
  Regent Academy Provider Page
  
  
• Rhodec International College of Interior Design
  Rhodec Provider Page
  

3) Which Course?

You might want to do a course to acquire new skills to use in your own home (Interior Decoration) or you might want to use it within a career (vocational training in Interior Design).

There is no one defined route into Interior Design.

Different courses come at different levels.    Most providers offer a Diploma course, although the level of skill achieved at the end may differ from provider to provider.

A certificate is usually a more basic course, whilst a DipHE requires more commitment and can lead on to a degree.

Our accredited providers reflect this variety, with Rhodec having a route through to a degree course in Interior Design.

Our Buyers Guide has useful questions to ask yourself about what you want to achieve from a course, in particular the 'Outcomes' section.

• Buyers Guide
  
  

4) What types of Qualifications are there?

If you want to do a course to enter into a career or progress in one then it is worth doing some additional research within the industry itself.

Contact potential employers or speak to friends/family who are currently in the industry to see what types of qualifications are recognised.

Below are some types of qualifications which might apply.    Click on them to find out more:

• Certificate
  
• City & Guilds
  
• Degree
  
• Diploma
  
• DipHE
  
• HNC/HND

On vocational training courses you will develop a good portfolio of work, which can then be shown to potential employers, clients or membership organisations.

5) Further information

The following organisations seek to promote high standards within the design industry.    Click on their name to link to their website.

• British Interior Design Association (BIDA)
  Formed in 2002, BIDA "Promotes high standards throughout the profession, encouraging and fostering proven design ability"
  
  
• Chartered Society of Designers
  "CSD is the world's largest chartered body of professional designers and is unique in representing designers in all disciplines"
  
  
• International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI)
  "The IFI was founded in Denmark in 1963 to unite and provide discussion of interior design issues."
  
  
• Royal Institute of British Architects
  "The RIBA exists to advance architecture and promote excellence in the profession."
  

6) Career Information & Advice

• British Council
  "We are the UK's international organisation for educational opportunities & cultural relations"
  
  
• Prospects
  "Graduate Prospects is a registered charity that supports the work of higher education careers services in the UK and the Republic of Ireland."
  
  
• Connexions Direct
  "13-19? Living in England? If you want information and advice designed just for you, or just someone to talk to, then Connexions has it all."
  
  
• Learndirect
  "Developed by Ufi (University for industry) learndirect Advice provides information and advice on learning and careers on freephone 0800 100 900"