Interior Design Course

Lesson 1 • Principles of Design

Covers balance, rhythm, emphasis, proportion, and unity as organizing principles. Students apply each principle to evaluate and improve spatial arrangements.

Lesson 2 • Color Theory for Interiors

Examines the color wheel, color relationships, and psychological effects of hue, value, and saturation. Establishes a framework for building interior color palettes.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Interior Design

Traces design movements from antiquity to contemporary practice. Contextualizes current trends within historical shifts in culture and technology.

Lesson 4 • Professional Roles and Industry Overview

Defines the scope of interior design practice and distinguishes it from related fields. Introduces career pathways, professional organizations, and ethical standards.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Space and Human Scale

Introduces anthropometrics and ergonomics as the basis for spatial decisions. Connects human body dimensions to furniture sizing and clearance requirements.

Lesson 2 • Zoning and Room Relationships

Explores how rooms relate to each other through adjacency, privacy, and flow. Students diagram bubble plans and adjacency matrices for complex projects.

Lesson 3 • Accessibility and Universal Design

Covers inclusive design standards that accommodate diverse physical abilities. Integrates accessibility requirements into space planning without compromising aesthetics.

Lesson 4 • Furniture Arrangement Strategies

Applies space planning principles to residential and commercial furniture layouts. Evaluates traffic flow, conversation groupings, and functional zones.

Lesson 1 • Wall Treatments and Finishes

Covers paint, wallcovering, paneling, tile, and plaster as wall finish options. Connects finish selection to acoustics, moisture resistance, and visual impact.

Lesson 2 • Flooring Materials and Selection

Surveys hardwood, tile, carpet, vinyl, and stone flooring options with performance data. Matches material properties to project type, budget, and maintenance needs.

Lesson 3 • Textiles and Soft Furnishings

Introduces fabric construction, fiber content, and performance ratings for upholstery and drapery. Guides students in specifying textiles that meet durability and fire standards.

Lesson 4 • Ceiling and Architectural Details

Examines ceiling treatments, moldings, and built-in elements that define spatial character. Teaches how architectural details reinforce design style and add perceived value.

Lesson 1 • Lighting Controls and Smart Systems

Introduces dimmers, sensors, and programmable lighting control systems. Connects smart lighting to energy management and user experience customization.

Lesson 2 • Natural Light and Daylighting Strategies

Analyzes window placement, orientation, and shading to maximize daylight quality. Connects daylighting to energy efficiency and occupant well-being.

Lesson 3 • Artificial Lighting Types and Fixtures

Surveys incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and specialty light sources with efficiency data. Categorizes fixture types by mounting method and beam distribution.

Lesson 4 • Fundamentals of Light and Vision

Explains how light behaves, how the eye perceives it, and how it affects color rendering. Establishes the physics and biology behind effective lighting decisions.

Lesson 1 • Digital Design and CAD Drafting

Introduces CAD software for producing accurate floor plans, elevations, and sections. Connects digital drafting to professional documentation standards.

Lesson 2 • Client Presentation Techniques

Structures a professional design presentation sequence from concept through specification. Develops verbal and visual communication skills for client approval meetings.

Lesson 3 • Concept Development and Mood Boards

Guides students from initial inspiration to a cohesive design concept supported by visual research. Mood boards synthesize color, texture, and style into a communicable vision.

Lesson 4 • Hand Sketching and Ideation

Develops freehand sketching as a rapid ideation and client communication tool. Covers perspective basics, proportion, and line quality for interior sketches.

Lesson 1 • Creating FF&E Schedules

Teaches the structure and content of a professional FF&E schedule used in project delivery. Students compile complete schedules with quantities, finishes, and vendor data.

Lesson 2 • Equipment and Appliance Integration

Addresses kitchen, laundry, and AV equipment as design considerations requiring spatial coordination. Connects equipment selection to cabinetry, ventilation, and utility planning.

Lesson 3 • Fixtures and Hardware Specification

Covers plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, and door hardware as design and functional elements. Teaches specification writing for fixtures with finish and model details.

Lesson 4 • Furniture Styles and Historical Periods

Surveys major furniture styles from traditional to contemporary and their defining characteristics. Enables accurate style matching and period-appropriate specification.

Lesson 1 • Client Programming and Needs Assessment

Teaches structured client interviews and programming documents to capture project requirements. Translates lifestyle data into measurable design criteria.

Lesson 2 • Living and Bedroom Space Design

Applies furniture arrangement, lighting, and material selection to living rooms and bedrooms. Balances comfort, aesthetics, and storage in private and social spaces.

Lesson 3 • Project Management for Residential Work

Covers timelines, procurement, site visits, and contractor coordination in residential projects. Develops skills to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

Lesson 4 • Residential Construction Documents

Introduces the set of drawings and schedules required to communicate a residential design to contractors. Students produce dimensioned plans, elevations, and finish schedules.

Lesson 1 • Commercial Furniture and Systems

Covers contract-grade furniture, open-plan systems, and modular workstation specification. Addresses durability, flexibility, and ergonomic standards for commercial use.

Lesson 2 • Large-Scale Project Coordination

Addresses team roles, consultant coordination, and phased delivery in large commercial projects. Develops skills for managing complexity across architecture, engineering, and design disciplines.

Lesson 3 • Building Codes and Safety Standards

Introduces occupancy classifications, egress requirements, and fire safety standards relevant to commercial interiors. Teaches how to integrate compliance into design without compromising intent.

Lesson 4 • Branding and Environmental Graphics

Connects interior design to brand identity through spatial storytelling and graphic integration. Students apply brand guidelines to material, color, and signage decisions.