BASKET SUMMARY (0 items)

Diploma in Interior Design

View Gallery

Introduction
Course Details
Qualifications
Timetable
Syllabus

Career-focused training in interior design and decoration

Best of both worlds

The Blended Learning course requires part-time attendance at KLC’s studios in Chelsea Harbour and combines this with guided study at home, live on-line classes and the full-time (9-5.30) support of a dedicated blended learning tutor team. The schedule of workshops is given here.

QUALIFICATION
KLC Diploma validated by the University of Brighton
OBJECTIVE
Career-focused training in interior design and decoration
DURATION
2 years (plus 1 term) through a combination of courses at the college and distance learning (a minimum of 15 hours study at home per week on average)

This method of study combines the structured programme of an on-site course with the flexibility of studying from home. Blended learning also provides an opportunity to achieve the prestigious KLC Diploma qualification in just over two years without giving up work and/or family commitments.

Existing KLC distance learning students can also elect to upgrade their study package to benefit from the additional support mechanisms of blended learning (although this requires students to start the blended learning course from the beginning).

Entry requirements

No previous art or design experience is necessary. Normally the entry standard is a degree: however mature students with sufficient prior learning experience are encouraged to apply.

Students are required to have a laptop computer for this course; the minimum specification for computer equipment is regularly updated and is available from the Flexible Learning Department. CAD software is provided free of charge as part of the course materials, and optional tuition in Photoshop and InDesign is also included. In order to participate in Photoshop and InDesign training students will need to download these software packages. It is usually possible to work from a free trial of software for these sessions (as long as they have not previously downloaded a free trial) however, to support on-going professional needs, many students choose to purchase the Adobe Creative Suite 5 as it is available at a considerable discount once they have enrolled on the course (currently £285 for the full Creative Suite – 30/1/12).

Email is regularly used as a means of communication and, because of the unique online support and teaching that is part of the Blended Learning course, students must have good everyday computer skills (eg to be able to confidently create, amend, save and distribute Microsoft Office documents and files, and access email using a mouse and keyboard). A reliable broadband internet connection is also a requirement. For this reason, students must ensure that they are familiar with the general operation and use of computers before starting on a diploma course.

Entry is by interview and numbers are strictly limited. The purpose of the interview is to assess your academic ability, motivation, performance under pressure and your reasons for undertaking the training. Employment and family commitments will be discussed during your interview to ensure that you have the necessary (minimum) 15 hours free per week for your studies; many blended learning students in full-time employment reduce their working week to 4 days in order to give optimum time to their studies. You must have a good basic understanding of English language and we look for a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org or its equivalent. In order to enrol on this course students are required to attend the Diploma Preparatory Course if they do not have a degree level qualification.

NOTE: The interview is the first step in the formal application process for KLC’s full time and blended learning Diploma courses. Before applying for an interview please ensure that you have the funding available, are of sufficient age, and have the required language ability.

To arrange an interview for this course, please contact us on 020 7376 3377 or e-mail info@klc.co.uk.

Course Details

Group learning

Blended Learning courses start in January and September. Students enrol as a member of a class and meet with their class at KLC’s studios and online on a regular basis throughout the 7 terms of the course. The course includes a one-week group project and collaboration with fellow students is encouraged throughout the course. Each class graduates as a unit and, along with students from the full-time Diploma courses, qualifications are awarded at KLC’s graduation ceremony which takes place each July.

KLC workshops

Students are required to attend regularly scheduled workshops at KLC’s studios at Chelsea Harbour with their class; this ensures that all skills and subjects that benefit from face-to-face tuition are taught in this manner. Students must ensure that they are free to attend all workshops associated with the Blended Learning course before enrolling.

Online training

Through KLC’s website students will have access to a unique range of online live and recorded support material and services. In this way study material can be accessed from anywhere in the world and at any time of the day/night. All live online classes are recorded and stored on the students’ online curriculum so, while attendance at workshops at the school is compulsory, live attendance at online classes is optional.

KLC uses a secure flexible web communication system that allows on-line training, web conferencing, file sharing and online collaboration. This system allows the student to have an interactive experience with both the tutor and other students in the classroom.

The website is also being developed as the Learning Resource Centre, so students can access examples of others’ work, view and amend personal details and access other relevant course information such as the student study guide, course timetable, latest news and the useful links page.

Extensive support throughout studies

Extensive support throughout studies Blended learning students benefit from all the unique support services that we offer our traditional learning students. However, in addition to this, students will be overseen by their course tutor, who is a mentor and will monitor progress from the early stages of the course through to graduation.

Students will work to a timetable and to fixed deadlines for project submission – this ensures students complete their studies within the specified timeframe.

KLC Staff are also available (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm) to respond to any course queries by phone or e-mail. Our maximum response time is usually within one working day, but we will endeavour to respond to blended learning students’ queries within 2 hours during office hours.

Students will participate in separate seminars on workshop days to present recent work to a small group of their peers and to discuss their progress. In addition, blended learning students have the option of booking free fortnightly one-to-one tutorials at the college or online, these provide detailed feedback on project work and invaluable preparation for future assignments.

Gain employment

KLC is proactive in helping graduates find employment at the end of the course. Marcy Brown, Director of Careers, is available to offer advice on CVs, portfolio presentation and career direction and, with many approaches from leading design companies, is often able to put graduates directly in touch with potential employers. It may also be possible to find students work experience while they are studying on the course; assistance in finding a placement is available after the first year of the course has been completed.

Projects

Students will complete 5 design projects, 1 group design project, plus 2 research papers and a number of essays. This project work forms the basis of a portfolio to show to prospective clients and employers. Project briefs are likely to include both residential and commercial design project work, a history of style submission, and a product design project. Students will also have to complete the following:

Research paper on textiles and their applications
History of style reference book and essay on social, cultural, and economic influences
Guided exercises and coursework for discussion in seminars
Personal journals and sketchbooks

Qualification

University of Brighton KLC students graduating from a Diploma in Interior Design course will receive a KLC Diploma in Interior Design validated by the University of Brighton.

The validation process required a rigorous quality assurance assessment of all aspects of the school and has resulted in some innovative updates to the training we provide. We look forward to developing our partnership with the University of Brighton further and are very pleased to be able to offer our students this prestigious external recognition of our qualification.

What is the benefit of this validation?

There are many benefits to our students for having this validation in place:

The award is clearly benchmarked against the QAA HE Level Framework giving it international recognition, thereby increasing employment opportunities worldwide.
It allows opportunities for exploring further flexibility in methods of study at KLC, by opening up different progression routes to the award.
This external validation enables KLC to continue to operate as a Tier 4 Licence Sponsor (we have been awarded an “A” rating) and issue study visas to overseas students for successful applicants on the full-time Diploma in Interior Design.
KLC students are able to visit the University libraries and attend open research seminars at the University.
Students gain credit points that can be transferred to other courses nationally and internationally.
Graduates of the Diploma who also have a prior degree qualification can opt to study further and apply for a MA programme through the University of Brighton or elsewhere.
Students wishing to progress to further qualifications must seek admission criteria from their preferred University provider.

Explanation of the Diploma Qualification

A Diploma of the University of Brighton is a qualification that is specifically designated for vocational training and therefore fits appropriately with our career focused courses. The course comprises 120 credits at Level 5 on the QAA HE Level Framework. It is awarded by the University of Brighton and is attainable in 9 months full-time study (or 28 months by blended learning study). Once you gain a Diploma, you will be in a strong position to find employment in the industry anywhere in the world or to progress to further study.

We are proud to be partnered with the University of Brighton

The University of Brighton has long been established as a centre of excellence for art and design studies – the School of Arts was established in 1859. The Faculty of Arts now fosters and develops research within and across its wide range of disciplines. It is home to a number of significant collections and archives, including the Design Archives which comprise eighteen collections that amount to almost 1000 linear metres of visual and textual documentation.

65% of its research in art and design was classified as either “world leading” or “internationally excellent”. This places the University of Brighton amongst the leading research centres in the country for art and design and Research Fortnight ranked their submissions second in terms of the volume and quality of research.

From 2005-2010 the University of Brighton has been the lead partner in The Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning through Design (CETLD), which is a HEFCE-funded partnership between the Royal College of Art, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Victoria & Albert Museum and themselves. The aim of the Centre is to enhance learning and teaching in design through research that brings together resources and expertise from Higher Education and collections-based partners.

We are very proud to be associated with the University of Brighton and greatly look forward to successfully developing this relationship in the future.

Timetable

Timetable for courses at the college

Year one

One Week Induction Workshop (10 -14 September 2012)

Introduction to your studies
Introduction to the interior design process
Introduction to technical drawing including drafting plans and elevations

One day & two day workshops (Friday/Saturday)

Concepts (3 November 2012)
SketchUp (18 – 19 January 2013)
Lighting (17 – 18 May 2013)

Year two

One Week Intermediate Course (9-13 September 2013)

Computer aided design (VectorWorks)
Detailed working drawings

Saturday Workshops

One point perspective (19 October 2013)
Project workshop focusing on commercial design (17 May 2014)

Optional Photoshop workshop

29 – 30 January 2014 (Wed - Thurs)

Friday Workshops (One Day)

Visual Presentation (31 January 2014)
Two Point Perspective (20 June 2014)

Year three(One Term Only)

One Week Group Project (15 – 19 September 2014)

Working with other students from your course to produce a design proposal to a given brief

Three Day Workshop (1 – 3 December 2014)

Careers advice, portfolio surgery and professional practice

Course Syllabus

Technical skills

Freehand sketching
Survey, plans, elevations, sections
Axonometric and isometric drawings
2D and 3D CAD
Scale models
Detailed working drawings
Perspective drawing

Design development

Design analysis
Design development
Concepts
Ergonomics, circulation, traffic flow
Use of colour in a creative environment, light, textiles, materials together with psychological considerations

Presentation techniques

Visual and verbal communication and presentation skills
Graphics
Rendering
PowerPoint

Technical understanding

Lighting, environmental issues, regulations, reflected ceiling plans, low level lighting plans, electrical plans
Plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and drainage systems
Building construction and structural principles
Accessibility
Planning Permissions and Building Regulations
Multi-media installations

History of style

Development of International Style
1660 – 2000 English, French, German interior design styles
Architecture, iconic architects and designers in 20th century

Material and finishes

Textiles, composition, fire retardancy requirements
Materials and the environmental and sustainable impact

The design process

From taking the client brief, analysis, design development to implementation and final evaluation of a project

Business procedures and administration

Professional practice and fee structures
Specifications, schedules, schedules of works, estimating, budgeting, tender documents
Health and safety
Business ethics