Student Profiles
Blended Learning - Diploma in Interior Design
Anna Burles 
I researched all the interior design colleges in London where I live, and I decided that KLC was the right place for me. I’d read about the college in Living Etc and was impressed by the industry contacts of the school, the practical, vocational nature of the courses and the fabulous location next to the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour. But most importantly, KLC is the only education provider that I found offered a Blended Learning course in Interior Design and Decoration that would let you gain a professional diploma while continuing to work full time. There is face to face teaching at the school, and distance learning which is great. I found out about it when I was researching diploma courses on the BIDA website.
I studied Modern History and Modern Languages at Queen’s College, Oxford University and then moved to London where I started working for the BBC as a radio news production assistant. I left after a couple of years in 1996 to train professionally as a journalist, doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at the London College of Communication. Over the years I’ve also done a few short courses at Central St Martins, including Styling and Fashion Design.
Up until April this year, I was Creative Director - a specialist ambient marketing agency creating brand experiences and unconventional street communications for brands like Motorola, TopShop, Adidas, 02 and the BBC. I was also lucky enough to style live events for clients like i-D Magazine, Kickers and fashion retailer New Look, transforming their flagship Oxford Street store into a stylish night time venue for the launch of their Giles Deacon and Lily Allen capsule ranges of clothes. I left last month to freelance whilst I’m doing the course.
I’ve always had a love of all things fashion, design and interiors. Which is why I left radio to move into advertising - to work in a more visual medium. And then after working at Jack, I realised that the thing which made me happiest was conceptualising and producing the live events and brand ‘spaces’ . But I had no formal training in interior design, so I decided to bite the bullet and retrain professionally so I can move into interior design full time.
I’m loving it. And the course has exceeded my expectations. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard work juggling the course, working full time and trying to still have a social life - because it is tough. But I’m genuinely enjoying being so busy, and I feel more creatively inspired than I have in years.
It was quite a big decision to sign up for the course – not just because of the time commitment over two and a half years, but there’s also the course fees to consider. So it was quite nerve-wracking on day 1 of our foundation week, hoping that I would come away thinking I’d made the right decision. Which I did. The teaching is fantastic (the tutors are successful, practising interior designers), and the syllabus is 100% geared towards getting you ready to work professionally. Even though we’ve only been studying for 3 months, we can’t believe how much we’ve learned already.
I would absolutely recommend the Blended Learning course. For people like me who aren’t studying at the college full time, the college offers regular support via email and phone. Live online tutorials where you can see and hear the tutor on a web cam are great , and the tutors also call regularly to check how you’re getting on juggling work and study. There’s a genuine sense that the school understands how difficult it can be sometimes and they work with you to make sure you don’t fall behind. That encouragement and regular contact is really helpful.
My work at Jack Liberties gave me an introduction to the world of design. Now I can’t wait to get a job working in design full time!
I’m keeping an open mind at this stage. My (limited) previous experience has been in retail and brand work, which I’d love to do properly once I’m qualified. But I may finish the course deciding I want to work on residential projects. Who knows! There are so many different options open to students when they finish the course. As an ex journalist, I’d also really like to write for an interiors magazine. And I’d also love to work for a fantastic big agency like Candy & Candy to learn from the experts!
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