PACE NONCREDIT COURSE:
Certified Residential Interior Designer
Areas of Study
Course Type
Overview
Hours: 120 | CEUs: 12 | Duration: 6 months
Overview
If you love coming up with creative designs and interior decorating that will turn a house into a home—or add a unique touch to any space—and want to make those dreams a reality, our interior design certification course is for you. This residential interior design course is perfect for both aspiring and current designers who want to increase their education, career opportunities, and professional status in the interior design industry. Take the first step toward a fulfilling career in this creative industry today with this course.
When looking for interior design classes, you want to make sure you’re getting the best education possible. This Certified Residential Interior Designer course will teach you the fundamentals and ethical practices involved in becoming a residential interior designer and provide you with invaluable insights on running your own design business and building your client base. Your interior design coursework will also include valuable documents and exercises to help you practice and develop your skills. By the end of the course, you will be able to use your design concepts in a portfolio to present to potential clients.
The Residential Interior Designer Education (R.I.D.E.) exam is the final exam in the course and is included with enrollment. The R.I.D.E. credential provided by the Designer Society of America (DSA) will increase your status with potential clients and make you a stronger candidate in the industry. Once you achieve this certification, you will receive a free one-year DSA membership.
Key Concepts
What you will learn
- What a residential interior designer does
- The major design styles and movements throughout history
- How to manipulate the basic elements involved in residential interior design projects
- The steps required to work as a residential interior designer and start your own design business
- How to create a design concept and floor plan
How you will benefit
- Create a portfolio throughout the course you can use to gain employment
- Complete the Residential Interior Designer Education exam
- Qualify for a free one-year DSA membership
Curriculum
Syllabus
- Getting Started
- Exploring a Career in Residential Interior Design
- Design Basics
- Space Planning
- History of Styles and Furnishings
- History of Styles and Furnishings, Part I: Prehistoric Times to the Middle Ages
- History of Styles and Furnishings, Part II: The Renaissance to the 20th Century
- History of Styles and Furnishings, Part III: Modernism, Non-European Influences, and Furniture Styles
- Elements of Design
- Materials
- Color
- Textiles
- Lighting Fundamentals
- Accents and Accessories
- Working as a Residential Interior Designer
- Industry Regulations
- Putting It All Together
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this course prepare me for a certification?
Yes, you will complete the Residential Interior Designer Education (R.I.D.E.) exam as the final exam in the course. The R.I.D.E. credential provided by the Designer Society of America (DSA) will increase your status with potential clients and make you a stronger candidate in the industry. Once you achieve this certification, you will receive a free one-year DSA membership, a $295 value for designers.
How will I submit my final project?
Your project is to complete the floor plan and design concept for a family room. You do not need to execute your concept in a real interior. When you’re ready to complete the course, you will follow the detailed instructions for completing your family room project presentation board. You will submit a written portion as well as several photos of your presentation board to your instructor. You may need to purchase some inexpensive supplies (foam core and mat boards, a cutting tool, and mounting materials such as foam tape or Velcro) to put your board together. You will not need to send the presentation board itself to your instructor—this will be yours to keep.
What does my free one-year membership in the Designer Society of America entitle me to?
Membership in the Designer Society of America (DSA) has many benefits including:
- Design News Flash and Support, an all-member communication concerning the interior design industry, practice issues, and trends, sent every three weeks via mail
- Invitations to chapter and region meetings, special events, and activities where you can network with other professionals
- DSA website access, with information and online versions of past DSA newsletters and publications
- DSA’s online member directory
- Discounted prices on national product lines and resources, with direct links (for members in the US and Canada)
- Invitation to DSA annual celebration, which features winners of the Interior Design Competitions and member awards
- Reduced member rates for DSA-sponsored competitions and Residential Design Competition
- Free membership in Pier 1 design concepts, Designer Trade Market, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, course for DSA members
- Chapter-level CEU courses
- Tele-seminar and webinar annual schedules
- DSA logo upload (member-only section)
- Use of DSA professional designation
- DSA membership card
- Discounted advertising rates in DSA publications and on the DSA website
- Networking opportunities through chapter and motivational task forums
- Personal 80-page portfolio for designers to exhibit their work
- Trade center locations and information in resources
- Locate-a-designer course for consumers
- National recognition
- Hotel and resort discounts during meetings
- Member advantage course to promote members’ success
What will I do as a residential interior designer?
Residential interior designers do a lot of different things! Overall, you will be responsible for transforming a house into a home and creating functional, beautiful spaces that your clients will love. You’ll read and draw diagrams, select colors, lighting, and materials, and ensure your design is up to building inspection codes. You will need to be able to read blueprints and also be aware of universal accessibility standards in addition to building regulations.
How do you become a residential interior designer?
The first step to becoming a residential interior designer is to complete an introductory course that will help you understand the profession and best practices of design. You don’t necessarily need to find an interior design school near you—our online certificate course can provide all the instruction you need. You will even gain the knowledge needed to sit for professional certification as well as the ability to create professional level design boards for clients.
Why do I need formal training to be an interior designer?
Producing creative designs is just one step in the process for interior designers. Formal education like this online interior design course, will help you to understand the fundamentals of great design including materials, color, textures, lighting, and accents as well as use your design skills to build a portfolio that you can show potential clients. You will also get invaluable insight into running your own design business and building your client base. Finally, you’ll be prepared to become a Certified Residential Interior Designer—setting you apart as a serious professional in the industry.
What are the skills of a good residential interior designer?
As an interior designer, you need to be a great communicator. You will find yourself communicating daily with clients, contractors, manufacturers, workers, and others. You will also need to listen to what your clients want and interpret how best to create spaces within their homes. You will need a strong attention to detail and good creative ability. You will also need to be an excellent planner and have good time management.
What is the average salary of a residential interior designer?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of interior designers is $57,060. This can vary based on location, years of experience, and whether you decide to work for a firm or go into business for yourself.
Are residential interior designers in demand?
The employment of interior designers is projected to remain consistent from 2020 to 2030, offering on average 7,800 openings (projected annually, over the decade). Give yourself an edge in the industry by understanding how to design environmentally friendly and accessible spaces.
What kind of hours do interior designers work?
Interior designers may work a typical 9-5 work day, but they also may be required to work nights and weekends, especially in the case of residential projects when you may have to be available when homeowners are not working. Working for a design firm will ensure you a more regular working schedule in an office environment, while working for yourself may mean more freedom but also odd hours and sporadic work as you get your business off the ground.
Where do residential interior designers work?
As a residential interior designer, you may work for an interior design firm or be self-employed. Ultimately, you will work for your clients and do everything possible to ensure their happiness with your finished product. You will most likely work some hours from your home or office, and many more hours in the homes of clients ensuring that your project is completed as seamlessly as possible.
Can I register for a course if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you’ll receive six (6) months to complete the course.
What if I don’t have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. You will also receive support from the student advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is noncredit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us” form.
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Course Requirements
Requirements: Hardware Requirements: Software Requirements: Other: Instructional Material Requirements: The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment: Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder. Prerequisites: You do not need any interior design experience to participate in this course. You should, however, have a strong interest in interior design and a desire to learn.
Course Prerequisites
Instructor(s):
Natasha Lima-Younts
Natasha Lima Younts has worked in interior design for more than 20 years and is one of the founders of the Designer Society of America (DSA). She is devoted to increasing opportunities for residential interior designers through purposeful education, believing that creative individuals should enter the field with a solid understanding and professional knowledge.
Previously, Natasha designed couture clothing under her own signature and created themed parties for high-profile clients. The latter evolved into her clients requesting her talents as a designer for their homes. This led her to establishing Gables Interiors, where she managed multi-million-dollar interior design project budgets for luxury homes valued up to 30 million dollars as principal designer and owner. She also developed interior design “Discover Your Style” seminars for design shows to help the public with DIY projects.
Natasha has also designed green rooms for the Latin Billboard Awards and has been selected to design for the “Designer for the Stars” seven times. She has published several articles about her home designs in magazines and newspapers, including Lincoln Road, Florida Architecture, Florida Design, Veranda, Elle, Southwest Georgia Living, and Miami Herald. She has also featured luxury homes on “The View.”
Natasha balances her time between her own interior design work, educational programs for residential interior designers and her roles at DSA.
