Fleming College

Highlights

Gain a broad background in interior decorating to help clients realize their vision for their home. You’ll learn the elements of different decorating styles, acquire knowledge of colour theory, and gain an understanding of interior decorating elements, such as flooring, lighting, window coverings and surface materials. This certificate also delves into the business aspect of interior decorating, including sales and business practices, presentation and preparation of decorating plans and professional communications.

You can choose to take individual courses, if you do not wish to pursue an Interior Decorating - Residential certificate.

Admission Requirements

• 19 years or older, or completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
• Basic Windows computer and internet skills (managing files and folders, keyboarding, email and Internet searches)

Courses in Interior Decorating - Residential

Details and registration below

Mandatory

• Introduction to Interior Decorating (ARTS2243)
• Floor Plans, Space Planning and Presentations (ARTS2323)
• Interior Design: Colour & Application (ARTS2147)
• Interior Materials and Surfaces (ARTS2327)
• Fundamentals of Lighting (ARTS2329)
• Sales & Business Practices for Interior Decorating (BUSN208)
• Interior Decorating: Advanced (ARTS2425)

Electives - choose 2

• Fundamentals of CAD, Interior Design (ARTS2429)
• Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms (ARTS2426)
• History of Furniture and Accessories (ARTS2420)
• How to Start a Small Business (BUSN102)
• Digital Presence for Today's Business (MKTG150)
• Fabrics and Window Treatments (ARTS2328)

Mandatory

Introduction to Interior Decorating

ARTS2243

You will study the basic principles and elements of design, the importance of room decor and the major categories of style types. Discover the types of career options in the field of design, the components of a professional portfolio and client needs assessments. Basic knowledge of floor plans, window treatments, lighting, colour schemes and styles will be examined and implemented in a colour board presentation at the culmination of the course.

Floor Plans, Space Planning and Presentations

ARTS2323

Use methods, concepts and theories of Interior Design to understand and develop floor plans and read blue prints. You will be drawing room dimensions and wall elevations to scale, as well as learning to identify blue print symbols. Through hands on assignments and practice you will be experimenting with furniture layouts, room settings and creating presentation boards that will enhance your knowledge of standard industry measurements and space planning techniques Participants should have taken ARTS2242 (Introduction to Interior Decorating) prior to this or have a strong knowledge of interior design concepts and theories.

Interior Design: Colour & Application

ARTS2147

Learn about the most influential elements of design, through the use of colour and its application. Study the principles of colour in relation to psychology and design communications and learn how this theory relates to physical space and the world around them. Cover an historical period of colour trends, interior space, pop culture and its political influences, colour is studied from a practical world perspective.

Interior Materials and Surfaces

ARTS2327

Flooring, paint, wallpaper, moldings and other materials are the products used to create style and enhance the home. Examine the merits of current products used in different interior environments. What works well in one setting may be a disaster in another. You will learn how to calculate the amount of product needed for a space and how to properly install them. Other topics: ceiling styles, countertops, trim and moldings and the correct tools needed to complete each job. Prior learning highly recommended: Introduction to Interior Decorating; Floor Plans, Space Planning and Presentations.

Fundamentals of Lighting

ARTS2329

Explore trends and styles for various decor in order to determine minimum lighting requirements in various rooms of the home. Identify options such as fluorescent, track, halogen and incandescent, and their appropriate uses in relation to room requirements, style and client needs. Examine and discuss a wide variety of accessories and their contributions to decor in specific situations through a variety of design assignments. Students will need a prior course or experience with CAD (Computer Assisted Drafting), such as AutoCAD. Course ARTS2429 Fundamentals of CAD recommended.

Sales & Business Practices for Interior Decorating

BUSN208

Explore the skills required to successfully operate an interior decorating business. Focus on client consultation, sourcing, selling, operational management and financial management. Learn to develop your own business plan, which provides exposure to market research, marketing strategies and financial planning. Communication and interpersonal skills as well as professionalism are emphasized.

Interior Decorating: Advanced

ARTS2425

This is a culmination of the knowledge gained in the previous Interior Decorating courses in this series. Tips to hone professional and business relationships that are critical to the field of interior decorating are discussed. Study the profession's code of ethics and learn how to analyze a variety of personality types and styles to effectively serve your clients. You will expand on previous knowledge areas to create accessible spaces, deal with difficult clients, and create brand recognition.

Electives - choose 2

Fundamentals of CAD, Interior Design

ARTS2429

Explore the fundamentals of AutoCAD for Windows. Examine the industry standards of interior design to produce a partial set of drawings of floor plans and elevations. Consider the differences between drawings for client presentations and contractor installations. Through online content, interactive follow-along videos, and practical exercises, students draw, manage, modify, annotate, and export drawings of floor plans and elevations. A trial version of AutoCAD for Windows is included in the course. Pre-requisite: ARTS 2243 Introduction to Interior Decorating and ARTS2323 Floor Planning

Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms

ARTS2426

After a look at the history and influence of kitchen and bathroom designs, study the basics of cabinet styles, lighting requirements, appliances and current trends. Through learning minimum space requirements, counter and backsplash options, and work triangles, achieve a practical and functional application to planning these important rooms. Take this course after ARTS2323 (Space Planning and Presentations) and ARTS2147 (Interior Design: Colour and Application) in this series.

History of Furniture and Accessories

ARTS2420

Study the historical furniture styles of France, England, and Early America influencing the contemporary reproductions and adaptations of furniture styles today. Understanding these styles will help you to competently recommend furnishings for decorating concepts that draw upon them.

How to Start a Small Business

BUSN102

This course will help transform your business idea into a functional business. Gain insight into the fundamental process of setting up a business and explore the feasibility study process, forms of ownership, financing, operations, marketing plans and personal skills.

Digital Presence for Today's Business

MKTG150

This is an effective course for business owners or managers who need to present visually appealing products to their clientele. In this digital marketplace, image capturing and a strong web presence are key to communicating effectively with current or prospective clients and to other successful professional practices. With professional image creation in mind, students have the opportunity to explore the practical groundwork of photo capture focus, composition and exposure. Students will explore cost-effective website building platform options and learn about the questions to ask when retaining a professional website designer.

Fabrics and Window Treatments

ARTS2328

Learn to select appropriate and functional window treatments for home decor. You will learn the history of both natural and synthetic fabrics, how they are manufactured and used in today's decorating industry, and understand the pros and cons of multiple kinds of materials available in the current market. You will discuss the trends in both soft and hard style treatments, how to measure and calculate several basic styles to complete particular window treatments to give you confidence to work with clients in this area of decorating.