Interior Design
Are you passionate about creating the ideal living or work space? Love materials and fabrics? Can you express yourself creatively by choosing the right piece of furniture? If so, then turn your passion into a creative and rewarding career. In the Interior Design diploma program at VCAD, you will build a skill set that compliments your creative vision so you can excel in a career as an interior designer.
This program will give you a broad overview of the career field and introduce you to basic design principles, color theory and design. Additionally, you'll learn the basics of drafting, space planning and standard software used in the industry.
You'll focus on creating interior design concepts and layouts for residential, commercial, industrial and public projects. By the end of the program, your portfolio will showcase your ability to develop projects and promote your services as a professional interior designer.
Career opportunities include interior designer, design consultant, project manager and planner.
Upon successful completion of the six terms of this program, you will be able to:
- To integrate historical or artistic trends into interior design.
- To develop ideas.
- To produce sketches.
- To draw objects and spaces to scale.
- To produce drawings using a computer-assisted drafting system.
- To interact with clients, resource-persons and colleagues.
- To create a mood, using colour.
- To suggest finishes and materials for a project.
- To specify the furniture, accessories and equipment for a project.
- To use interior architectural and construction elements.
- To design custom elements.
- To create an interior design concept for a residence.
- To present a design project.
- To create lighting concepts.
- To produce working drawings and specifications.
- To plan a layout for a commercial, industrial or public building.
- To create an interior design concept for a commercial, industrial or public building.
- To promote one's services.
- To develop an interior design project.
Program Courses
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- This course is an introductory level drawing course designed to have the students apply the fundamental concepts of drawing. Students will experiment with the use of basic shapes and techniques in drawing simple objects comprised of lines, shapes, forms and shading patterns. This course will also continue the coverage of the notions of perspective, scale, and proportions and their role in the production of realistic looking drawings. Students will also gain an understanding of light source placement and shadow casting and how these translate into a final drawing. Students will be able to practice the various techniques learned throughout the course by developing drawings in a progressive manner.
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- This course introduces the students to the popular image-editing software Adobe Photoshop. The main objective of this course is to teach the student graphical image production using Adobe Photoshop. Through this ‘hands-on’ course, the student will learn the fundamentals of design, as well as advanced features and tips, to prepare images for the Web and for print. By the end of this course, the student will be able to create and enhance sophisticated images using Adobe Photoshop’s tools and features. They will learn how to correct and modify print as well as Web images using various techniques and organizational tools. They will also learn how to apply special effects to original and composite images.
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- The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamental principles of design and color theory. Students will be introduced to the principle concepts of design such as layout, composition, and balance as well as the theories of color and how to use color creatively. These concepts will be presented in theory as well as reinforced through specific practical exercises and activities that will serve to demonstrate how each of the concepts is integrated into good design.
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- This course presents Illustrator as an industry standard tool for the production of professional quality illustrations such as technical illustrations, mapping, illustrating from photographic reference, and colorizing bitmapped images. Students will not only learn how to create precise, organized and professional illustrations that will meet the demands and standards of art directors and advertising agencies, but they will also learn to express their creativity in design by using the advanced distortion, blends, fills masks and effects tools offered by the software. Students will understand how the production of graphics ties in within the overall design process.
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| ID10A |
An introduction to Interior Design |
48
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- This course provides the student with an overview of the field of Interior design and how it is practiced. Students will learn about interior design as a career , the process of interior design, the basic principles of design and the areas of expertise required for a successful career in interior design.
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- This course is an introductory level course that will explore the fundamental features of AutoCAD design software. Students will learn to use the tools, features and commands of this popular CAD software to create simple drawings. Students will learn the basic commands, set up and organize drawings, work with layers and text and print and plot diagrams.
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- Description coming soon ...
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- This course provides the student with an introduction to space planning. Students will learn to use various types of diagrams and matrices to visualize the layout of the space they are working with and then plan the space effectively. The course will also introduce the additional considerations such as building code and environmental factors that affect spatial composition. Students will learn to work with bubble diagrams, block plans, matrices and CAD templates.
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- This course explores the fundamental concepts of drafting. Students will learn the tools, symbols and conventions of drafting and how to use them to create simple orthographic and paraline drawings.
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- This course provides the student with an overview of the history of design from the days of early Egyptian civilization to present day movements and influences. Students will learn about the characteristics and features of design that marked each period and style. For each period or culture, students will learn about the design of residential dwellings and interiors, art, furniture, and architecture as well as the design influences that distinguish each period.
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- This course is an advanced level course that will explore the advanced features of AutoCAD design software. Students will learn advanced commands and features that will allow them to draw and modify more complex designs as well as explore the capabilities of AutoCAD in the design of models of 3D solids and surfaces. The course will begin by exploring the advanced draw and modify commands and techniques before moving onto the advanced drawing and modeling of 3D solids and surfaces.
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| ID30B |
Lighting Techniques |
48
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- This course explores lighting as one of the fundamental elements in the design of interiors. Students will learn the fundamental principles and techniques of working with lighting to create a desired impact on an interior space. He course will explore light sources, daylight, lighting, the layer approach to lighting and the different types of lighting applications for residential, office, and other specialty institutions.
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| ID30C |
Materials and Fabrics |
48
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- This course introduces the various materials and fabrics that are commonly used in interior design projects. Students will explore the historical, cultural and architectural uses of a variety of materials including concrete, stone, glass ceramics, wood and products, plaster metals, synthetics and fabrics. Students will also learn about the common finishes that are typically used with the various types of materials.
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- This course builds upon the Drafting I module. Students will explore advanced drafting and drawing techniques with emphasis on the production of complete construction drawing, elevations and detailed floor plans.
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| ID30E |
Architectural Design and Detail |
48
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- This course will explore the common construction techniques in use today. The course provides an overview of the building process from site fundamentals to the building and integrating of the various systems and components. Student will study the different building techniques and materials as well as the detailing of the interior components and finishes. Topical coverage includes the common building construction systems: wood frame, steel, concrete and masonry as well as the various systems that make up a building.
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| ID40A |
Architectural Model Making |
48
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- This course will explore the use of architectural models as a means of expressing a design or concept. The course will study the physical architectural model as an integral part of the design process. Students will learn how models are capable of generating information accurately by allowing the viewer to see the form in physical space. Topical coverage includes the equipment and materials, preparation and assembly techniques used in model making. Students will also study several case studies which highlight the use of models in design.
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| ID40B |
Furniture Design I |
48
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- This course will explore the processes of furniture design. The course will offer an overview of the classifications of furniture and uses of furniture over historical periods and how furniture has evolved as a design element. Students will the design principles that apply to furniture design, the materials used as well as the fabrication processes and methods.
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| ID40C |
Interior Detailing |
48
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- This course will continue with the design of interior spaces. In this course students will continue to develop their design skills by focusing on the design details of the interior spaces and its elements. Students will learn to incorporate the more detailed design elements such as trim and millwork elements, cabinetry, window and door trim, wall, ceiling and floor details. This course is practical in nature and will require the students to produce the appropriate design documents and plans as they progress through the course.
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| ID40D |
Human Factors in Interior Design |
48
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- This course explores how human behaviour and requirements influence the design of interior spaces. Students will study ergonomics and anthropometrics and the role they play in the design of interior spaces. The course will also examine the considerations that need to be addressed when designing interior spaces for specific human conditions or situations such as people with disabilities, limited mobility, children, elderly and multi-generation challenges.
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| ID40E |
Residential Design |
48
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- This course explores the processes needed to complete a residential design project. Students will perform all the key steps required to take a design project from its initial idea stage through to completion. Students will design a residential interior based on criteria provided and then will prepare the appropriate design plans and documents. Students will present the design and modify the design based on client feedback. Students will incorporate the principles and techniques of design while producing the design documents for the common residential spaces.
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| ID50A |
Architectural Working Drawings |
48
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- This course will explore the architectural working drawings that are commonly used in the interior design sector. Students will learn to read and understand the details of the various drawings and plans as well as create a set of construction drawings. Students will work with floor plans, electrical plans, elevations, sections schedules and other detailed specialty drawings.
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| ID50B |
Architectural Rendering - Marketing |
48
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- This course is introduces the student to architectural rendering software. Students will learn to use AutoDesk Viz to render basic interior design and effects. Students will learn to use the tools and features of the software and then apply the rendering techniques to produce final renderings of designs. The course will cover modeling techniques, materials, lighting and basic animations.
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- This course will explore the basic residential, commercial and public building, fire and safety codes that must be respected within the scope of interior design. Student will learn how each of the codes and standards impact the design process and how they must be applied to ensure that the final design is compliant with all applicable municipal, provincial and federal regulations in effect.
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- This course will explore the design of commercial interiors with a focus on office design. Office design is the backbone of commercial interior design. Students will learn how to extract details for the specific office type that will be designing and translate those details into effective designs that promote the functional requirements of the office space. Students will learn about optimal office layouts and spatial organizations based on the type of office. By the end of the course students will be able to design an office layout with appropriate space allocation and furniture layout.
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- This course will explore the emerging trend to green and sustainable design. Students will learn how to integrate “green” practices into the design through the choice of materials and procedures. Students will learn the importance of the green shift and benefits of designing with consideration for this greening process. The course will also explore the common construction and building materials and their properties and how they can be used in a sustainable and environment friendly manner. Students will learn about alternative materials and energy sources that can be used in design.
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- This course is aimed at preparing the students’ transition to the professional world, allowing the student to place the final polishing touches on their portfolio work. Students will be required to explain and defend the presentation structure of their portfolio and individual pieces to a panel of their peers and industry in the format of a job interview. All portfolio components should demonstrate the student’s mastery of the programs core competencies while highlighting the uniqueness of their work. Selected pieces should reflect a standard of quality evidenced by additional time spent polishing applied skills. Students will be required to complete their presentation website and marketing collateral.
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| ID60C |
Architectural Rendering II |
48
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- This course is an advanced course in architectural rendering. Students will continue working with AutoDesk Viz to render complex interior designs and effects. Students will use advanced tools and features of the software and then apply the rendering techniques to produce final renderings of complex designs. The course will cover advanced modeling techniques, mapping of materials, and complex lighting effects.
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| ID60D |
Professional Practices and Communication |
48
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- This course is designed to introduce the importance of professional business conduct and attitude. Students will learn the importance of preparing themselves properly for the job search process and how to prepare and present the proper marketing collateral. In this course the student will learn the techniques that will help them to properly market themselves to potential employers. Topical coverage includes Résumé and cover letters preparation, professionalism and appropriate conduct, written and oral communication, career planning, interviewing techniques and presentation strategies
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| ID60E |
Commercial Design |
48
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- This course will explore the design of commercial interiors with a focus on public, retail and institutional facilities. Students will learn how to extract details for the specific commercial space type that they will be designing and translate those details into effective designs that promote the functional requirements of the commercial space. Students will learn about optimal layouts and spatial organizations based on the type of space. By the end of the course students will be able to design commercial space layouts with appropriate space allocation and furniture details.
