Diploma Interior Design

Course Details

Course timetable planner

Using the online Course Timetable Planner, students can set the schedule that they want to work to - taking as long as they like to complete the course, or choosing to invest extra time to gain the qualification more quickly. The Course Timetable Planner will also set helpful target dates for when project work should be submitted: the first set of work has to be submitted within 18 months of enrolment and after that there are no more deadlines and the student is in complete control of their own study programme.

Course materials

The course materials are fully illustrated throughout and written in a very user friendly style by experts in the industry to make the learning process as accessible and engaging as possible. Practical case studies are provided throughout many of the tutorials so that students can see how the lessons are applied to real life situations.

Appellation

On successful completion of the course, students receive a KLC Diploma and may use the letters "Dip KLC Open Learning" after their name. The full qualification is the "KLC Open Learning Diploma in Interior Design".

Annual Award

An annual industry sponsored award presented to the top achieving Open Learning interior design student offers students an additional and prestigious opportunity to enhance their CV.

Content

Great emphasis is placed on design process from taking the client brief, site survey, design analysis, creative conceptual and design development through to implementation and the final evaluation of a project. Students learn how to produce 2D and 3D drawings and are introduced to a range of methods of visual presentation including scale models. The use of sketching and design developmental drawings is encouraged and students acquire the techniques of detailed working drawings which are now a vital part of a designer's toolkit for bespoke areas of work.

Project work is underpinned by a study of the theory and principles of design and planning, while accessing creativity, creative use of colour and light and materials and textiles are aspects of the course particularly enjoyed by students. An over view of the development of English interior styles to include iconic designers and architects of the 20th century ensures that graduates are able to recognise key styles and also informs their own design development.

In keeping with the practical approach for which KLC is known, students are informed about the more down to earth areas of design work, including building construction, structural principles, lighting, plumbing, heating and ventilation. The business aspects of running a design practice are given a high priority. Students learn to operate as fully professional interior designers including how to coordinate a project, the implications of building regulations and health and safety requirements, as well as how to communicate with contractors and produce all the necessary documentation. They also absorb how to document their own personal creative development in their personal reflective journal.

Consideration of environmental issues is regarded as a holistic part of the course and students are encouraged to factor this in to any project work and emphasis is placed on professional practice, design documentation, building regulations and health and safety regulations.

Delivery

KLC has developed a unique support system for Open Learning to ensure students achieve their goals and when a student enrols they become part of the school community. Central to the course is the online curriculum containing information on how the course operates, additional study units, project briefs and other Student Support materials. The Support section of the website also acts as a platform for further research and allows interaction with other students as well as access to students' own records. The tutors for this course are practising interior designers, so students can gain first-hand knowledge from experienced professionals and industry specialists. These important links also help to maintain and develop an exciting and current curriculum.

Learning involves so much more than simply studying from textbooks and the role of the specialist staff is to inspire, motivate, support and educate students. The key to success in Open Learning is a dynamic and interactive relationship between the tutor and student and nothing is too much trouble to help students achieve their goals.

The written materials are supported with additional online resources and within the text exercises are provided for students to undertake to enable them to build up their knowledge and skills so that they achieve a thorough understanding of each section before actual project work is undertaken. As they progress, students are required to complete and submit six sets of project work for assessment plus two research projects which are worked on through the course and submitted at the end. The work is marked and returned, together with the detailed written feedback, plus advice to help with the production of the next projects. The Section 5 commercial project and the Section 6 final residential project bring together all the skills learned throughout the course. The projects relate to the units and broader learning outcomes and follow a logical progression with design briefs based on real projects to build up an impressive and realistic portfolio of work.

Online student forums - the KLC community

Easy to use, this facility immediately allows students to join others, share ideas, show examples of projects and discuss design issues. This provides the perfect way to maintain motivation whilst making new friends.

Traditional distance learning

Students can elect to undertake the traditional distance learning style of training, whereby they do not actually visit the college during their course of study. The course is designed so that no attendance is required and all work is completed from home and submitted by post. As already detailed, students are supported throughout their studies by receiving detailed assessment and feedback on their project work. However, additional help and support is available if required:

Add-ons to the Open Learning Diploma

• Meet the tutors and book one to one tutorial times whenever needed at any point during the course
• Enhance studies with specialist subject short courses and workshops where a 20% discount for most courses is offered to KLC Open Learning students

One to one tutorials

Students can take advantage of the one to one personal tutorials option whereby their distance learning study is supported by tutorials at KLC's design studios at Chelsea Harbour. These are one (or two) hour sessions with one of our tutors on a one-to-one basis providing professional guidance on student's work. Students find that this additional service can be a great support to their studies. These sessions can give students clear direction on how to go about project work and can also provide extra motivation for their studies. Students can choose to have as much or as little support as they like

Workshops

The workshops available are another unique part of undertaking a KLC Open Learning Course, KLC offers a broad range of short courses at the Chelsea Harbour studios, many of which have been put together to support the Open Learning Courses. (Fees are charged for the additional courses)

Regional groups

Open learning students are encouraged to interact with one another throughout their course and to contact other students in their locality to join a study group or even form their own

Discounts on books, equipment & KLC short courses

Students enrolled on the course will be able to take advantage of special discounts on books, equipment and KLC's short courses

Syllabus

SECTION 1

• Design process
• The power of colour - colour inspiration, families and psychology
• Concepts and creativity
• Understanding scale
• History of styles - 17th century English decorative and architectural styles
• Development of window treatments
• How to survey
• Technical drawing and freehand drawing - initial pencil exercises, plans, sketching and perspective
• Textiles

SECTION 2

• Technical drawing - elevations, sections, scale planning, inking and lettering
• Colour explained - colour theory in practice
• History of styles - 18th century English decorative and architectural styles
• Bathrooms
• How to put together presentation boards for materials and finishes

SECTION 3

• Sourcing and developing a decorative scheme
• Colour, lighting and texture in interiors
• History of styles - influential French decorative and architectural styles mid-17th-19th century
• Lighting design strategy - consideration of space, safety and light balance
• Soft furnishing - curtains, blinds and upholstery
• Rendering techniques
• Technical drawing - axonometric projections and working drawings
• All about paints
• Environmental issues for the designer
• Lighting design strategy, lighting plans, room by room guide

SECTION 4

• Visual and verbal presentation
• History of styles - 19th century British decorative and architectural styles
• Hard materials
• Scale models
• Wall treatments

SECTION 5

• Lighting types, styles, controls, systems and installation
• Flooring
• Heating and ventilation
• Building construction
• Commercial projects
• Accessories

SECTION 6

• History of styles - characteristics of 20th century British interior design and architecture
• Estimating for window treatments
• Professional practice 1 - career planning
• Professional practice 2 - business management
• Professional practice 3 - project management
• Professional documentation

PROJECT WORK

Students are required to complete:

• 6 design projects to include showcase final project
• Personal reflective journals throughout the course
• History of styles research notebook
• Textiles and their application in interiors research notebook