This program walks you through interior design from the ground up, starting with design principles and color and moving into lighting, materials and finishes, textiles, furniture, and sustainable design. You'll learn to draft floor plans and construction documents, plan spaces that actually work for the people using them, and present your ideas through material boards, mood boards, and a portfolio built in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Acrobat. The work spans both residential and commercial interiors, and it aligns with the RIDQC exam for residential interior design.
Each course is built around projects, so you spend your time doing the work a designer does rather than only reading about it. By the end, you'll have a finished portfolio to show employers or clients, whether you're stepping into interior design for the first time or sharpening skills you already have.
By completing this course, you will have developed expertise in:
Apply the core elements and principles of design to create balanced, functional interiors.
Build color palettes using color theory and understand how color shapes mood and perception.
Draft floor plans, elevations, and construction documents that communicate a design clearly.
Plan interior spaces around how people actually move through and use them.
Select and specify materials, finishes, and textiles based on performance, durability, and design intent.
Design lighting that supports the function, comfort, and mood of a space.
Recognize furniture styles across history and cultures, and apply sustainable practices when choosing materials and furnishings.
Present your work through material boards, mood boards, and a job-ready portfolio built in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
Course Curriculum
Unit 1: Intro to Interior Design Course Online (60 Hours)
Lesson 1: Introduction to Design
Course Introduction (5m 12s)
Syllabus, Class Policies and Software (9m 43s)
Final Project Discussion (6m 56s)
Interior Designer vs. Decorator (15m 47s)
Lesson 2: The Elements and Principles
Design Myths (13m 47s)
Design Elements (18m 18s)
Design Principles (17m 37s)
Project 1 Design Inspiration (6m 41s)
Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Interior Design
Types of Business & Professional Organizations (7m 59s)
Parties Involved and Coordination (6m 58s)
Project Phases (12m 9s)
Anthropometrics (10m 38s)
Project 2 Client Research and Case Study (10m 13s)
Lesson 4: Presentation and Material Boards
Presentation Techniques Diagrams and Floorplans (11m 24s)
Presentation Techniques Elevations, Sections and Renderings (12m 41s)
Material and Mood Boards (8m 52s)
Project 3 Digital Material Board (7m 14s)
Lesson 5: Universal Design and ADA
Universal Design and ADA (13m)
Cultural Sensitive Design (8m 26s)
Project 4 Design an Artist's Lounge or Gallery (15m 32s)
Project 4 Project Example (6m 36s)
Lesson 6: Plans and Elevations
Creating a Furniture Plan (14m 3s)
Creating an Elevation Plan (11m 55s)
Lesson 7: Sustainability and Interior Design
Sustainable Materials (8m 24s)
Environmental Strategies (6m 51s)
Unit 2: Color Theory for Interior Design Course Online (30 Hours)
Lesson 1: The Science of Color & Color Systems
How Color Shapes Perception (2m 26s)
The Science of Light & Color (4m 41s)
Early Color Theory Origins (3m 12s)
Additive & Subtractive Color (2m 34s)
Pigments & Color Naming (4m 24s)
Standardized Color Systems (2m 57s)
Color & Surface Materials (7m 25s)
Natural vs. Artificial Light (6m 59s)
Color Perception Effects (4m 23s)
Communicating Color in Design (2m 49s)
Lesson 2: The Color Wheel & its Harmonies
Understanding the Color Wheel (2m 43s)
Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Colors (1m 45s)
Warm & Cool Colors (2m 24s)
The Color Wheel in Grayscale (2m 24s)
Working with Neutrals (1m 54s)
What Is Color Harmony? (2m 19s)
Basic Color Harmonies (4m 9s)
Advanced Color Harmonies (3m 25s)
Neutral Color Harmonies (4m)
Essential Color Tools (3m 26s)
Lesson 3: Color Properties & Contrast
Color Properties Overview (2m 50s)
Hue, Saturation, & Value (6m 35s)
Tint, Tone, & Shade (4m 24s)
The Munsell Color System (5m 5s)
Color Models Explained (4m 47s)
Itten & Albers (3m 29s)
Advanced Color Phenomena (3m 27s)
Color Vision Assessment (3m 19s)
Color & Space Applications (2m 42s)
Color & Space in Interiors (2m 25s)
Lesson 4: Color Psychology & Inspiration
What Is Color Psychology? (2m 54s)
Western Color Meanings (3m 39s)
Advanced Western Color Meanings (3m 57s)
Global Color Meanings (4m 56s)
Interior Color by Demographic (4m 42s)
Age and Color Perception (3m 31s)
Finding Color Inspiration (4m 55s)
Advanced Color Inspiration (5m 1s)
Building a Color Library (4m 24s)
Digital Color Libraries (4m 3s)
Lesson 5: Color in Branding and Palettes
Color Psychology in Branding (3m 53s)
Brand Consistency in Spaces (4m 24s)
Building Client Palettes (4m 10s)
Presenting Color Palettes (3m 55s)
Talking About Color (2m 34s)
Color Harmony Ideas (3m 5s)
Aesthetic Palette Styles (3m 34s)
Time Period Palettes (3m 26s)
Contemporary Palettes (Part 1) (4m 13s)
Contemporary Palettes (Part 2) (4m 1s)
Lesson 6: Undertones, Accessibility, and Forward Thinking
Understanding Color Undertones (2m 31s)
Undertones in Materials & Light (4m 28s)
Mixing Undertones for Harmony (2m 19s)
Introduction to Color Deficiencies (3m 20s)
Designing for Accessibility (3m 41s)
Accessible Color Palettes (3m 50s)
Color & Safety (3m 8s)
Working as a Color Consultant (3m 30s)
Chromotherapy Basics (2m 9s)
Material Color Experts (3m 15s)
Unit 3: Interior Lighting Design Course Online (30 Hours)
Lesson 1: Introduction to Interior Lighting Design
Course Introduction (14m 30s)
Light Distribution (6m 57s)
Final Project Preview (57s)
Case Study Research (4m 6s)
Lesson 2: Understanding Light
Lighting Fundamentals (9m 23s)
Light and Wellness (14m 50s)
Layering Light (6m 10s)
Lesson 3: Light and the Human Experience
Light and Vision (13m 52s)
Light and Darkness (9m 43s)
Choreography Project (6m 44s)
Lesson 4: Designing with Light
Shaping Light (12m 43s)
Choosing Luminaires (15m 20s)
Lesson 5: Lighting in Practice
Lighting Practice (10m 51s)
Light Sources (14m 27s)
Lighting Plans (10m 38s)
Lesson 6: Daylighting and Lighting Controls
Daylighting Strategies (15m)
Lighting Controls (10m 21s)
Final Lighting Project (8m 18s)
Lesson 7: Quantifying Light
Lighting Calculations (13m 6s)
Course Integration (10m 35s)
Unit 4: Interior Design Materials and Finishes Course Online (30 Hours)
Lesson 1: Introduction to Materials for Interior Design
The Properties of Interior Materials (4m 24s)
Health, Safety, & Codes (4m 35s)
Human Factors & Ergonomics (3m 44s)
Universal & Accessible Design Principles (3m 57s)
Durability & Maintenance Considerations (4m 8s)
Balancing Function, Use, Budget, & Value (3m 35s)
Sustainable & Responsible Sourcing (3m 44s)
The Material Selection Process (4m 20s)
Digital & Physical Material Boards (3m 11s)
Creating Effective Specification Sheets (3m 15s)
Lesson 2: Concrete, Cement, Stone, Masonry, Brick
Introduction to Mineral Based Materials (5m 7s)
Cement & Concrete (5m 46s)
Concrete Finishes & Treatments (6m 16s)
Masonry Systems (6m 29s)
Brick Composition & Types (6m 9s)
Brick & Masonry in Interior Applications (5m 20s)
Stone: Natural Beauty & Performance (6m 6s)
Stone Interior Details & Fabrication (4m 15s)
Stone Sustainability & Sourcing (3m 26s)
Maintenance, Longevity, & Grout (4m 10s)
Lesson 3: Glass, Ceramics, Plaster, Gypsum
Introduction to Mineral & Silica Based Materials (3m 32s)
The Science of Glass (3m 59s)
Architectural Applications of Glass (4m 16s)
Decorative & Specialty Glass (4m 17s)
Introduction to Ceramics (3m 48s)
Ceramic Tile: Types, Formats, & Installation (4m 20s)
Ceramic Trends & Technology (3m 41s)
Traditional, Modern Plaster, & Stucco (4m 6s)
Introduction to Gypsum & Drywall Systems (3m 10s)
Designers Coordinating with Trades (3m 22s)
Lesson 4: Wood, Wood Products, & Millworks
Introduction to Wood Materials & Finishes (3m 14s)
Wood Anatomy & Species (5m 9s)
Lumber Cutting, Sizing, & Grading (3m 21s)
Engineered Wood Products (2m 51s)
Wood Finishes & Protective Treatments (4m 30s)
Architectural Millwork Systems (5m 31s)
Casework & Cabinetry Design (2m 18s)
Wood Flooring & Ceiling Applications (2m 55s)
Responsible Wood Sourcing & Maintenance (2m 48s)
Wood Lifecycle & End of Life Strategies (3m 24s)
Lesson 5: Metals & Synthetics in Interiors
Introduction to Metals & Synthetics (2m 45s)
Properties of Interior Metals (4m 17s)
Common Interior Metals (3m 51s)
Metal Fabrication & Detailing (5m 23s)
Metal in Architecture & Interior Applications (4m 55s)
Plastics & Acrylics (4m 27s)
Solid Surfaces & Composites (3m 43s)
Laminates & High Performance Surface Systems (3m 43s)
Innovative Design Strategies with Synthetics (4m 2s)
Templating Synthetics (4m 57s)
Lesson 6: Acoustics & Professional Considerations
Introduction to Acoustics (3m 59s)
The Science of Sound Behavior (4m 8s)
Types of Acoustics & Ratings (4m 17s)
Ceiling Finishes Overview & Acoustics (4m 30s)
Acoustic Panels & Tiles (3m 20s)
Suspended & Specialty Options for Ceilings (3m 7s)
Floor Treatments for Sound Control (3m 21s)
Vendor & Procurement Process (4m 55s)
Communicating Material Decisions to Clients (2m 53s)
Working with Sales Representatives (3m 33s)
Unit 5: Architectural Drafting and Graphics Course Online (30 Hours)
Lesson 1: Introduction to Drafting
What Is Hand Drafting? (4m 33s)
History of Drafting (5m 9s)
Thinking Like a Draftsperson (5m 24s)
Understanding Drawing Sets (2m 38s)
Title Blocks (3m 18s)
Plan Orientation & North Arrows (3m 7s)
What Is Scale? (4m 3s)
Introduction to an Architect's Scale (4m 39s)
Using an Architectural Scale (4m 23s)
Drafting Paper Types and Sizes (6m 49s)
Lesson 2: Tools, Linework, & Lettering
Essential Drafting Tools (4m 44s)
Drafting Precision Tools (3m 36s)
Furniture & Lighting for Drafting (3m 2s)
Organizing Drafting Tools & Drawings (2m 59s)
Drafting Accessories (4m 31s)
Line Types & Meanings (3m 58s)
Line Weights for Graphic Hierarchy (3m 7s)
Drafting Station Setup (2m 55s)
Architectural Lettering Basics (3m 38s)
Numbers, Notes, & Titles (3m 34s)
Project 1 Explanation (2m 26s)
Lesson 3: Drafting Floor Plans
Floor Plans (2m 26s)
Plan Layout & Drawing Order (3m 9s)
Wall Types & Thicknesses (4m 16s)
Doors & Door Swings (6m)
Windows & Glazing (5m 20s)
Stairs, Columns, & Architectural Features (3m 54s)
Room Names (4m 12s)
Furniture & Fixture System (5m 1s)
Drawing Labels & Tags (1m 48s)
Floor Plans in a Drawing Set (3m 26s)
Lesson 4: Elevations, Sections, & Details
Elevations (3m 49s)
Drafting Elevations From a Floor Plan (2m 35s)
Cabinetry and Closets (4m 23s)
Material Surface Indications (3m 56s)
Section Cuts (2m 11s)
How to Draw a Section Cut (2m 21s)
Types of Sections (2m 27s)
Building Section Callouts (1m 45s)
Detail Drawings (1m 43s)
Project 2 Explanation (3m 9s)
Lesson 5: Dimension, Annotate, & Document
Dimension Standards (2m 39s)
Types of Dimensions (2m 17s)
Types of Dimensions Part 2 (2m 25s)
Annotating Elevations, Sections, & Details (2m 10s)
Abbreviations & Common Symbols (2m 38s)
Keynotes & General Notes (2m 39s)
Legends, Keys, & Schedules (2m 57s)
ADA Basics & Clearance Requirements (3m 20s)
Redlining, Revisions, & Version Control (3m 3s)
Drawings in an Architectural Firm (2m 52s)
Lesson 6: Measure & Draft a Space
Tools for Field Measuring (3m 5s)
How to Measure a Room Accurately (2m 38s)
Recording Field Notes (2m 28s)
Measuring Doors, Windows, & Openings (3m 9s)
Measuring Ceiling Heights & Architectural Features (3m 25s)
From Sketches to Construction Docs (2m 37s)
Choosing Scale (3m 8s)
Construction vs. Presentation Drawings (4m 56s)
Preparing Drawings to be Portfolio Ready (2m 19s)
Careers That Rely on Hand Drafting (3m 29s)
Project 3 Example (3m 9s)
Unit 6: Space Planning & Design Fundamentals Course Online (Coming Soon) (30 Hours)
Unit 7: Textiles & Soft Finishes for Interior Design Course Online (Coming Soon) (30 Hours)
Unit 8: Global Styles and Furniture Course Online (Coming Soon) (30 Hours)
Unit 9: Sustainable Interior Design Course Online (Coming Soon) (60 Hours)
Unit 10: Visual Communication & Portfolio Design Course Online (60 Hours)
Lesson 1: Portfolio Foundations
Class Introduction (11m 54s)
Final Project Discussion (11m 15s)
Project 1 Example (3m 38s)
Project 1 Instructions (8m 11s)
Lesson 2: Organizing Design Work, Grids, and Typography
Organizing Your Work (7m 4s)
Case Studies (2m 16s)
Process and Storytelling (6m 30s)
Applying the Grid (7m 3s)
Typography (5m 47s)
Project 2 Organization (3m 38s)
Project 2 Instructions (11m 12s)
Lesson 3: Building Portfolio Layouts in Adobe InDesign
Page Creation and Image Placement (12m 16s)
Form and Color (9m 22s)
Pages vs. Spreads (9m 32s)
Creating a Portfolio in Adobe InDesign (11m 5s)
Adding Tiles in InDesign (9m 35s)
Adding a Portfolio Introduction in InDesign (5m 39s)
Using Shapes in InDesign (18m 53s)
Packaging and Exporting Instructions (7m 27s)
Exporting your Portfolio from InDesign (7m 50s)
Lesson 4: Portfolio Structure, Covers, and Professional Presentation
Creating a Cover Page (3m 46s)
Content Structure (3m 33s)
Adding a Table of Contents and Profile Page (4m 25s)
Project 3 Instructions (7m 35s)
Lesson 5: Resume and Cover Letter Design
Creating a Resume (15m 10s)
Developing a Cover Letter (6m 21s)
Resume Final Touches (14m 24s)
Lesson 6: Final Portfolio Refinement and Presentation Strategy
Portfolio Considerations and Revealing Your Process (11m 36s)
Various Drawing Types (6m 11s)
Final Rendering and Money Shot (5m 22s)
Understanding and Applying Proximity (8m 6s)
Project 4 Instructions (7m 53s)
Lesson 7: Portfolio Presentation, Output, and Career Use
Digital vs. Hard Copy Output (7m 45s)
Digital Layout (3m 8s)
Portfolio Cover Considerations (5m 13s)
Adding Hyperlinks to a Portfolio (3m 58s)
Considerations for Wrapping Up the Portfolio (16m 48s)
Using Your Portfolio for Job Applications (5m 23s)
Adding Hyperlinks to a Portfolio in InDesign (5m 17s)
