This intensive course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and necessary skills required for entry into the interior design industry. Successful completion of the course combined with work experience in the industry should provide students with the necessary knowledge and experience to forge a professional career in residential interior design.
Certificate in Interior Design
Two days a week over three terms of ten weeks. There are no half-term breaks. Also available as a full-time study course
Chelsea Harbour
The course is an excellent foundation for further study and also provides an ideal opportunity for anyone working within the industry who is seeking to further their career opportunities, or broaden their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of interior design. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of good design and decoration with an emphasis on putting into practice knowledge learned through a series of workshops, course work, independent research and two residential design projects.
Students on the Certificate course are eligible to become student members of the British Institute of Interior Design with the advantage of valuable networking opportunities and a wide ranging programme of Continuing Professional Development.
Students will be required to come into the college for two days each week for three ten week terms. In addition students will be required to work outside these hours, including out-of-term work, to complete assignments, course and project work and independent study.
The days at the college run from 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Each term of the part-time course runs for 10 weeks:
The emphasis of this course is on residential, rather than commercial, interior design. This provides a broad range of different career opportunities whether a graduate is building on existing industry experience or starting out in their career. There may be opportunities to work within an interior design practice or in a showroom specialising in materials, finishes or furniture. After obtaining appropriate experience, graduates may then opt to work as freelance or independent designers, operating on a project basis for residential buildings. Alternatively they may specialise in decorating show houses or flats for property developers. Other career options include interior styling, property refurbishment, or perhaps using their skills to enter into journalism.
Whatever career path students choose to follow, on-going career advice is available from KLC, and through our active job register they can be kept informed of  employment opportunities as they arise.
A wide range of on-going training is available to graduates of the Part Time Certificate course. Certificate Graduates have the option to take an additional one week of training on completion of their course. This follow-up module will provide an invaluable opportunity to learn Vectorworks and this will be taught by relating this CAD programme directly to the Course Project work completed and therefore further enhance their portfolio. As student members of the British Institute of Interior Design, students and graduates may avail of a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses run by the institute. Graduates may if they wish complement their training by undertaking other KLC short courses such as CAD. Furthermore, they may choose to study further in order to gain the KLC Diploma validated by the University of Brighton by joining Term 3 of the Blended Learning Diploma in Interior Design (subject to the entry requirements).
No previous art or design experience is necessary. However students must be at least eighteen years old and mature students are particularly encouraged. Numbers on the course are strictly limited and entry is via an informal interview. The purpose of the interview is to assess each applicant’s motivation for undertaking the course and to evaluate their commitment and ability to work under pressure.
English language ability must also be competent and we look for a minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org or its equivalent. Students are expected to have a laptop for use during their studies.
Students on KLC's Certificate courses are expected to use computers during their studies. These will be used for producing presentational material, for SketchUp, and general written work. Important information relating to the course is sometimes communicated via email. For this reason, students should ensure that they are familiar with the general operation and use of computers (for example, they should be able to confidently create, amend, save and distribute documents, and use email) before starting their course. Prior experience in using either PCs or Macs will be equally helpful. Full details of the expected level of ability will be provided at interview.
NOTE: The interview is the first step in the formal application process for KLC’s Certificate courses. Before arranging an interview, applicants should check that they are in a position to study full-time, have the funding available, be 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./p>
For information about financial assistance to support your learning please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.
Each of the three terms has been carefully programmed to ensure that every aspect of residential interior decoration and design are comprehensively covered and that there is plenty of opportunity for "hands on" practice through workshops, assignments and projects.
Learning about the design process and how to go about creating decorative schemes along with technical and communication skills ensures that students gain first hand practical experience of the skills that are essential for the successful completion of any interior design project.
Illustrated talks by leading experts, projects and workshops under the guidance of practising professionals, and visits to showrooms specialising in lighting and kitchen and bathroom design and to the V & A museum are all part of the syllabus.
Gaining an understanding of the history and development of interior design as well as considering current and future trends in the industry are also included in this enormously enjoyable, practical and rewarding course. Students will complete two major residential decoration projects as well as undertake two research projects during the course, which will form the basis of a valuable portfolio.
An overview of all the key stages of a project from conception to completion.
An appreciation of how colour, texture and pattern work together and applying this knowledge with confidence to create stunning decorative schemes.
Spatial awareness and analysis with consideration for traffic flow, ergonomics, lighting and the specific requirements relating to kitchen and bathroom design.
The production of technical drawings, free hand sketches, rendered visuals and the presentation of concept/mood and sample boards to illustrate design decisions and decorative schemes. Verbal presentation skills are also covered.
An appreciation of how the development of interior decoration styles over the ages impact on interior design and decoration today.
An overview of the legal and regulatory environment along with an understanding of the day to day administrative procedures involved in running a professional interior decoration practice.
A study and critical analysis of current trends in the interior decoration and design industry.
Knowledge and skills learned during the course are used in a practical way to complete two residential design projects and two research projects.
This course requires an interview before you make an application
Call us today:If you would like to make an appointment to visit the school please contact the admissions department on 020 7376 3377
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