Diploma of Interior Design MSF50222

If you are looking to launch a career in interior design but have minimal experience, this course is the perfect way to get the skills, knowledge and qualification you need to achieve this. Alternatively, if you are already working in the design industry and want to take the next step in your career, this diploma is a great way to formalise your experience, and get the specialised skills and knowledge to make your career ambitions a reality.

This qualification reflects the role of interior designers who provide advice mainly for residential building interiors. They may also be involved in the provision of advice about interior decoration. Individuals may be self-employed or employed in businesses such as design studios. Designers provide a broad range of design advice and services, and are involved in:

• researching and analysing the client’s goals and requirements
• planning, arranging and styling the space, and preparing detailed client presentations
• selecting and specifying colour schemes, furniture, fabrics, fixtures and lighting
• working in collaboration with builders, architects and service contractors
• preparing detailed design documentation

You’ll be covering all the essentials – drawing, conceptual, research and business skills as well as building your knowledge of materials and ways of working sustainably. By the end, you will have an extensive portfolio of work that you can proudly present to prospective employers and clients. During your studies, you will learn how to: Create and develop concepts, understand and utilise colour and light, and identify materials and construction techniques. Understand the history and development of architectural styles and movements. Research and recommend furniture, accessories, light fittings, hard materials and finishes, and soft furnishings. Provide interior styling services to clients. Develop a decoration proposal for a complex site. Produce perspective drawings, plans and elevations. Create technical drawings. Use CAD applications to complete models and documentation. Apply the creative design process to 2D and 3D forms. Prepare drawings for heritage work and decorate interiors for restoration projects. Work with clients and monitor and manage small business operations. Source and specify decoration products. Decorate residential interiors. Evaluate a site for an interior design brief.

Learners submit a portfolio that showcases their ability to master the design process and their creativity throughout the course. They will also submit the visual diary that they have been developing throughout the course.

The duration for the course is maximum 30 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

There are no mandated education entry requirements for this qualification as per the MSF - Furnishing Training Package Training Package.

It is recommended that students are 18 years or older (note: students under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian to enrol).

There are no mandated education entry requirements for this course but learners need to possess some creative and design skills that can be demonstrated by: Confirmation that the learner completed a relevant subject at High School (Art, Design, Digital Media, Animation or Visual Communication); and/or Confirmation that the learner has completed subsequent courses or qualifications in a related field, this may include the Cert IV in Design Fundamentals, Cert IV in Design or similar course that builds basic creative and design skills; and/or Confirmation that the learner has minimum of 12 months experience in the Interior Design and Decoration industry and, has undertaken tasks that have demonstrated at least basic creative and design skills.

Computer Requirements

Minimum computer specifications are:

All users:

• For 32-bit AutoCAD: · 32-bit Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology

For 64-bit AutoCAD:

• AMD Athlon 64 with SSE2 technology
• AMD Opteron™ with SSE2 technology
• Intel® Xeon® with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology
• Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology
• Microsoft Office 2007 or equivalent
• Broadband Internet Connection
• Minimum 8GB
• HDD- 10GB (min) available hard disc space for installation; additional free space is required during installation.
• Windows display adapter capable of 1024x768 with True Color capabilities (DirectX® 9 or DirectX 11 compliant card recommended but not required)
• DVD – CD-Rom Drive
• 1280 x 800 resolution display (1280 x 1024 recommended) with 16 – bit colour and 512 MB of V RAM

Mac OS:

• Mac OS X v 10.6.8 or v 10.7
• Multicore Intel® processor with 64-bit support

Windows:

• Microsoft Windows 7, 8 or 10

You will also need access to:

• A digital video recording device and/or a digital camera and associated software to save and upload video and image files to OpenSpace. Many mobile phones and smart phones include this technology.
• Software to view online videos and images. Software such as Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewer etc. are available as a free download from the internet.

Skills

You will need to have proficient computing skills to undertake this course. This includes the ability to:

• Use the computer, mouse and keyboard with proficiency in skills required to integrate software packages, save files and search the Internet
• Proficient computer, mouse and keyboard skills to operate design software (AutoCAD and Adobe CS ) for creating designs
• Attach and use peripheral devices such as a scanner, digital camera, media storage (e.g., flash drive for design storage)
• Scan hand drawn conceptual images
• Save a compressed file (.zip)
• Save a PDF File
• You will also be required to register for AutoCAD software, which is available free for students enrolled in an approved education institution.

Creative Ability:

You'll need to possess some creative and design skills. These may be demonstrated by confirmation that you have:

• completed a relevant subject at high school (such as art, design, digital media, animation or communication); and/or
• completed subsequent courses or qualifications in a related field, this may include the Certificate III in Design Fundamentals, Certificate IV in Design or some other course that builds basic creative and design skills; and/or
• at least 12 months of experience in the interior design and decoration industry and, in doing so, have undertaken tasks that have demonstrated at least basic creative and design skills.

Design Software:

Students will be required to register for AutoCAD software, available free to students enrolled in an approved educational institution. The Autodesk Student Version software incorporates all the functionality of a professional license; however, it includes a print banner making the software unusable for commercial purposes. To participate in the Autodesk Education Community, students must satisfy the eligibility requirements. Further detailed information is available here.

Open Colleges Students will also gain special access to SketchUp Pro by reaching out to the faculty to allow them to learn and practice their skills to be able to be able to address certain assessment requirements.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy

This course requires students to read comprehensive learner workbooks, undertake a range of written assessments and engage in online discussion forums. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, we recommend students have the language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensures the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully complete year 12.

Students who indicate on their enrolment form that they do not meet any of the above recommendations are contacted by the Student Recruitment Support team for further assessment before enrolment is confirmed. Where required, this may include completing a Language Literacy and Numeracy skills assessment.

Learners will need to have proficient computer skills to undertake this course. This includes the ability to:

• use the computer, mouse and keyboard with proficiency in skills required to integrate software packages (i.e. Microsoft office), save files and search the internet
• attach and use peripheral devices such as a scanner, digital camera, media storage (e.g. flash drive for design storage)
• save a compressed file (.zip)
• save a PDF File.

Learners are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills equivalent to those that successfully completed Year 12.

Ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through written communication

Physical Requirements

Learners will be required to operate office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer in a safe environment that includes an ergonomically sound computer workstation. Computer requirements are listed separately above.

Tools and equipment

Audio-Visual Requirements: Learners need access to a digital camera, and related software, for taking photos for design tasks, projects and documenting the design processes.

Simulated workplace requirements: Learners must have access to a specific place where they undertake their assessment activities. This work area should be designed as a home office area or design studio. Learners will be asked to submit photographic evidence of their simulated workplace facility before assessment in Study Period 1.

The simulated workplace facility may include tools, equipment and resources, including:

• workstation/layout table and drawing board (MDF board with set squares and T-Square as a minimum)
• ergonomic chair
• bookshelves
• filing system
• desk lamp
• computer (see computer requirements above)
• internet access (see computer requirements above)
• storage for drawing equipment

Learners will also need access to:

• an A4 – A3 printer or photocopier
• a high-resolution colour printer
• a high-resolution, large format scanner.