Interior Design 101

Unleash Your Creative Vision: Transform Spaces with Confidence!

Interior Design 101

Unleash Your Creative Vision: Transform Spaces with Confidence!

Discover the transformative power of artistic spaces with Interior Design 101, where passion for design meets practical expertise. Dive into the enchanting world of interior design, where you'll weave creativity and technical prowess to craft living environments that inspire and delight. This course is not just a gateway--it's the essential blueprint for those ready to shape spaces that resonate and captivate. You'll unlock the secrets of design principles, from the magic of color to the elegance of historical styles, all while mastering the nuances of creating compliant and sustainable environments. Join us to ignite your design potential and step confidently into a world where your vision brings aesthetic harmony and functionality to life. Your journey to becoming an interior design virtuoso starts here.

Self Paced • Online Class • 10 Hours

$120

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Interior Design 101

Name: Interior Design 101
Price: 95.00 USD

CRN: 7550453

Lesson 1. The Essentials of Interior Design

Interior designers blend creativity with technical skills to optimize both functionality and aesthetic appeal in spaces, working closely with various professionals to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. They differ from decorators in their ability to manipulate foundational elements and manage complex projects, often requiring certification or licenses to practice.

Lesson 2. The Origins and Evolution of Interior Spaces

Throughout history, interior designers have balanced the dual goals of functionality and aesthetics, learning foundational principles from early human habitats. With the Industrial Revolution and mass production, interior design flourished, leading to the establishment of professional organizations and educational institutions that continue to shape the field today.

Lesson 3. Design Principles: Building Spaces that Resonate

Interior designers must grasp key principles such as color, texture, and lighting to create stylish and functional spaces in collaboration with clients. Successfully integrating elements like furniture and accessories hinges on understanding a space's style and the client's vision from the outset.

Lesson 4. Designing with Color: A Comprehensive Guide

Color is integral to design, informing mood and balance through its scientific properties and extensive palette possibilities, enabling harmony and contrast within spaces. Designers employ techniques from feng shui to color psychology to enhance interiors, ensuring each color selection contributes to the intended atmosphere and style.

Lesson 5. Exploring Timeless Trends: A Deep Dive into Historical Design Styles

Throughout history, major design styles have been shaped by cultural and environmental influences, with designers needing a broad grasp of these styles to apply them adeptly in projects. Examples span from Adam's neoclassical elegance to Baroque's opulence and the functional simplicity of Craftsman style.

Lesson 6. Understanding State and National Design Codes

Interior designers must navigate a comprehensive landscape of state, national, and international codes to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of their projects. Understanding and implementing these codes, like those from the ICC or the ADA, is crucial for safeguarding public welfare and for professional certification requirements.

Lesson 7. Understanding the Role of Standards in Interior Design

Interior designers adhere to standards based on best practices, offering reliable guidance for effective design. Aligning with standards can also aid in meeting varying code requirements across regions, enhancing overall project quality and compliance.

Lesson 8. Mastering Certifications in Interior Design Specialties

Interior design professionals often amass credentials like CID or ASID, which are dictated by licensing requirements and specialty interests; these may span from kitchen design to advanced environmental planning. Achieving such certifications signifies a dedication to comprehensive and lawful design practices within the public domain.

Lesson 9. Mastering Design Niches

With a focus on industry-specific nuances, interior designers enhance public health, safety, and happiness in spaces from corporate offices to hospitality venues. Their expertise in materials and design codes ensures spaces are both functional and inviting.

Lesson 10. Building the Future: Understanding LEED Standards

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, provides a framework for environmentally friendly building practices, affecting everything from design to operations. Interior designers can become LEED-accredited to demonstrate their understanding of green design strategies and contribute to eco-friendly projects.

Lesson 11. Unlocking Market Potential: The Strategic Advantage of LEED Certification for Interior Designers

With LEED credentials, designers gain a competitive edge in the job market by showcasing their commitment to green building practices, which are increasingly valued by employers. The certification not only reflects one's knowledge but also their dedication to advancing in the sustainable design field.

Lesson 12. Interior Design Essentials: Knowledge and Skills

Interior designers require multifaceted expertise in design elements, safety regulations, and advanced communication to tackle diverse project challenges. Understanding how human environment needs intersect with regulatory and construction knowledge is crucial for success.

Lesson 13. Mastering the Art of Interior Design Business Success

The journey of an interior designer doesn't stop at acquiring certification; it extends into active business development through strategic branding and financial management. Networking with other experts and consistently upgrading one's skills as per industry trends ensure that designers remain at the top of their game.

Lesson 14. Interior Design's Connection Map

Interior design associations provide crucial networking, continuing education, and professional development resources for designers at various stages of their careers. Membership can offer certifications and accreditations that enhance one's professional stature and protect public safety through established standards.

Lesson 15. Essential Resources for Interior Design Professionals

Thousands of websites focus on various aspects of interior design, allowing professionals to specialize and stay informed about industry dynamics. Consumer and trade magazines serve as comprehensive resources, offering insights and news tailored to either industry professionals or design enthusiasts.

In This Course

10 Hours average completion time
1.0 CEUs
15 Lessons
24 Exams & Assignments
74 Discussions
15 Videos
16 Reference Files
178 Articles
Mobile Friendly
Last Updated January 2026

Description

Interior design is an exciting profession that not only requires designers to be able to think creatively, but also to problem-solve. Interior designers are responsible for creating an environment for a structure, which may include a single-family home, government office, corporate headquarters, and everything in between

In order to create an interior environment, designers need to think about the form and functionality of the space. The form refers to the look and feel. The functionality refers to how they space will be practically used. In order to effectively blend form and functionality, designers need to rely upon many resources, guidelines, and professionals.

Interior designers often tend to be interior decorators. After all, designers are often responsible for all aspects of a project, including the design, development, and finishing touches. However, interior decorators may not necessarily be interior designers; designers need to have more in-depth knowledge than decorators.

While many interior designers are also decorators, designers do not generally take on other professional roles, such as plumber, carpenter, electrician, or otherwise. Therefore, designers must work closely with many other industry professionals.

Interior designers also have the liberty to be self-employed or to work with a firm. Either way, there are some business skills and best practices that every interior designer should use in order to be successful.

This course is designed to teach you how to be an interior designer by focusing on interior design from a macro level. If you decide to pursue an interior design career after reading about everything that will be required of you if you choose to pursue a career in interior design, then you will spend years learning the minute details that are essential to creating a successful design.

Note: This course focuses on all aspects of interior design. While interior decorating plays a large role in interior design, it is important to remember that the two are not the same. This course will not go into great detail about interior decorating, but, rather, will provide an overview of the kind of information interior designers will need to know.

Skills You'll Develop

Creative problem-solving in design
Understanding functional space requirements
Mastering LEED and sustainable design
Strategic business and project management skills
Enhanced visualization and communication techniques
Applying design principles and color theory
Knowledge of historical design styles
Collaboration with industry professionals
Proficiency in industry-specific certifications
Navigating design codes and regulations
Networking within professional design associations

Skills You'll Develop

Creative problem-solving in design
Understanding functional space requirements
Mastering LEED and sustainable design
Strategic business and project management skills
Enhanced visualization and communication techniques
Applying design principles and color theory
Knowledge of historical design styles
Collaboration with industry professionals
Proficiency in industry-specific certifications
Navigating design codes and regulations
Networking within professional design associations

More About This Course

Navigate Design Codes: Ensure compliance and safety standards.
Enhance Sustainability: Learn eco-friendly interior design practices.
Pursue Certifications: Advance in your interior design career.
Gain Business Skills: Succeed as an independent designer.
Understand Form and Functionality: Balance aesthetics with usability.
Think Creatively: Master innovative interior design strategies.
Problem-Solve Effectively: Boost your design project results.
Work with Professionals: Collaborate on diverse design projects.
Blend Scents with Purpose: Elevate your creative projects.
Explore Design Principles: Master color, texture, and lighting.
Access Professional Resources: Stay updated in the design industry.

What You'll Achieve

Define the roles and responsibilities of interior designers compared to interior decorators, highlighting their specific skills and regulatory requirements.
Identify the collaboration process between interior designers and other professionals, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Describe the evolution of interior design and how historical architectural practices have shaped modern principles of form and function.
Identify key historical influences, such as the Industrial Revolution and development of interior design schools, on the current state and perception of interior design as a profession.
Identify and describe the fundamental interior design principles of color, texture, lighting, and furniture application in creating cohesive space designs.
Demonstrate the ability to develop a preliminary decorating plan for a client project, incorporating style considerations and client preferences into space design elements.
Define and explain the impact of primary and secondary colors on creating customized color palettes in interior design.
Identify and analyze how color psychology can influence mood and functionality within interior spaces.
Recognize the key characteristics and elements of major historical design styles, such as Adam, Art Deco, and Bauhaus, through visual identification and description.
Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast various interior design styles by identifying common features and unique elements of each style in given design examples.
Define the primary types of building codes relevant to interior design, including accessibility, safety, and energy regulations, by referencing national and international standards.
Identify state-specific certification and licensing requirements for interior designers, explaining the importance of adhering to local building codes and regulations.
Demonstrate understanding of the role of standards in ensuring compliance with regional codes and regulations by identifying relevant interior design standards.