Your options after leaving school can be a little overwhelming! If you’re a creative thinker, a future in interior design may be something worth investigating. We’ve designed this guide for you.
Your options after leaving school can be a little overwhelming! If you’re a creative thinker, a future in interior design may be something worth investigating. This guide is for you.
What is interior design?
It’s easy to forget that we spend the majority of our lives indoors. From our homes to our local cafe, our schools and workplaces, interiors have a huge impact on the way we feel and behave. Interior design is the art of transforming spaces to make them function better and to actively improve the wellbeing of the people who use them. Most importantly, it’s human-centered design.
What is interior design?
It’s easy to forget that we spend the majority of our lives indoors. From our homes to our local cafe, our schools and workplaces, interiors have a huge impact on the way we feel and behave. Interior design is the art of transforming spaces to make them function better and to actively improve the wellbeing of the people who use them. Most importantly, it’s human-centered design.
What does an Interior Designer do?
An Interior Designer is a creative problem solver. They analyse existing or new spaces and work out how to make them better. They use colour, lighting, furniture and surfaces to transform the feeling of an interior and make it function according to a specific brief.
They are able to plan, design and visualise a project and communicate their ideas to their clients. Interior Designers can take a project from an early concept all the way through to a finished space working with trades, craftspeople, suppliers and often Architects along the way.
What does
an Interior
Designer do?
An Interior Designer is a creative problem solver. They analyse existing or new spaces and work out how to make them better. They use colour, lighting, furniture and surfaces to transform the feeling of an interior and make it function according to a specific brief. They are able to plan, design and visualise a project and communicate their ideas to their clients. Interior Designers can take a project from an early concept all the way through to a finished space working with trades, craftspeople, suppliers and often Architects along the way.
What skills do I need?
To work as a professional Interior Designer you’ll need a fundamental understanding of the principles of design, the psychology of colour and the aesthetics of interior schemes. You’ll need to develop creative solutions to ensure the layout and flow of a space enhances user experience. You’ll need a comprehensive knowledge of interior construction and the regulations that govern the industry. Finally you’ll need to be able to present your ideas with confidence and deliver your designs with professionalism.
What skills do I need?
To work as a professional Interior Designer you’ll need a fundamental understanding of the principles of design, the psychology of colour and the aesthetics of interior schemes. You’ll need to develop creative solutions to ensure the layout and flow of a space enhances user experience. You’ll need a comprehensive knowledge of interior construction and the regulations that govern the industry. Finally you’ll need to be able to present your ideas with confidence and deliver your designs with professionalism.
What career qualifications does Sydney Design School offer?
We offer two accredited career courses in interior design, the Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222) and the Advanced Diploma of Interior Design (MSF60122). Our internationally recognised Diploma qualifications are accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – the Government’s national regulator for vocational education (RTO 91446). These courses are recognised by the Design Institute of Australia and provide graduates with direct entry into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) at UNSW Sydney with a 12 or 18 month credit.
What career qualifications
does Sydney Design
School offer?
We offer two accredited career courses in interior design, the Diploma of Interior Design (MSF50222) and the Advanced Diploma of Interior Design (MSF60122). Our internationally recognised Diploma qualifications are accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – the Government’s national regulator for vocational education (RTO 91446).
These courses are recognised by the Design Institute of Australia and provide graduates with direct entry into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) at UNSW Sydney with a 12 or 18 month credit.
Our accredited interior design courses
Certificate III in Design
Fundamentals
CUA30720
Year 11 & 12 course
On campus or live online
EVET Approved Provider
Find out more
Diploma of
Interior Design
MSF50222
12 or 18 month course
On campus, live online or self paced online
Our accredited
interior design courses
Certificate III in Design
Fundamentals
CUA30720
Year 11 & 12 course delivered during school holidays
On campus, live online
EVET Approved Provider
Find out moreDiploma of Interior Design
MSF50222
12 or 18 month course
On campus, live online or self paced online
What type of study can I expect?
We’re focused on creative, hands on learning. Our classes are small and students are supported by passionate Interior Designers who love to teach. We gradually build your skills and confidence from beginner level to professional. There are no lectures, tutorials or exams. You’ll learn in a design studio environment two or three days per week. Our school follows the NSW school calendar so you’ll have four breaks each year. You’ll complete the majority of your projects in class but you can expect 8-14 hours of homework per week.
“I knew that I wanted to do something creative when I finished school, but I didn’t know it was interiors until I walked into Sydney Design School. It was the first Open Day that I went to and I knew straight away that I wanted to study here. It has such a friendly vibe and it’s highly specialised. I love how hands on everything’s been – when you’re a creative person you need to be hands on everyday!”
– Diploma of Interior Design student Jessica Panetta
What type of study
can I expect?
We’re focused on creative, hands on learning. Our classes are small and students are supported by passionate Interior Designers who love to teach. We gradually build your skills and confidence from beginner level to professional. There are no lectures, tutorials or exams. You’ll learn in a design studio environment two or three days per week. Our school follows the NSW school calendar so you’ll have four breaks each year. You’ll complete the majority of your projects in class but you can expect 8-14 hours of homework per week.
“I knew that I wanted to do something creative when I finished school, but I didn’t know it was interiors until I walked into Sydney Design School. It was the first Open Day that I went to and I knew straight away that I wanted to study here. It has such a friendly vibe and it’s highly specialised. I love how hands on everything’s been – when you’re a creative person you need to be hands on everyday!”
– Diploma of Interior Design student
Jessica Panetta
What grades do I need?
No ATAR or work experience is required, but you must have a genuine passion for design to apply. We care more about your attitude and willingness to learn than your school results. Once you have applied for a Diploma course, a Course Advisor will invite you for an informal interview to make sure it’s the right choice for you. You’ll be asked to bring a one page motivational statement explaining why you want to study with us.
What grades do I need?
No ATAR or work experience is required, but you must have a genuine passion for design to apply. We care more about your attitude and willingness to learn than your school results. Once you have applied for a Diploma course, a Course Advisor will invite you for an informal interview to make sure it’s the right choice for you. You’ll be asked to bring a one page motivational statement explaining why you want to study with us.
New on our blog ‘A Design Journal’
A closer look at the Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Find out why our Advanced Diploma is so unique and why we believe simulating a real design studio gives our graduates a competitive edge.
Read the post
Celebrating 7 students at the IDA Awards
We were delighted when seven Sydney Design School students received accolades at the International Design Awards!
Read the post
My Story: From Flight Attendant to Interior Designer
Meet Ryan McGregor, the constant traveller who finally settled down in Sydney to pursue his dream of interior design.
Read the post
New on our blog
‘A Design Journal’
A closer look at the Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Find out why our Advanced Diploma is so unique and why we believe simulating a real design studio gives our graduates a competitive edge.
Read the post
Celebrating 7 students at the IDA Awards
We were delighted when seven Sydney Design School students received accolades at the International Design Awards!
Read the post
My Story: From Flight Attendant to Interior Designer
Meet Ryan McGregor, the constant traveller who finally settled down in Sydney to pursue his dream of interior design.
Read the post
How do I apply?
Simply fill out our application form online. If you’re under 18 you’ll need to get your parent’s or guardian’s signature, they can do this during your online application using your computer mouse. Our team will process your application and then request an informal interview before a payment is made.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact our team on email [email protected] or call +61 2 9437 1902
How do I apply?
Simply fill out our application form online. If you’re under 18 you’ll need to get your parent’s or guardian’s signature, they can do this during your online application using your computer mouse. Our team will process your application and then request an informal interview before a payment is made.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact our team on email [email protected] or call +61 2 9437 1902
Secure your place
Apply now