Interior Decorator Program
| Length of Course: | 10 Months |
| Entrance Requirements: | Grade 12 transcripts or qualify as a Mature Applicant |
| On-the-job Training: | Upon successful completion of required classes, students may spend three weeks in a local business office to gain experience. |
Graduates will have the skills for employment as retail associates, sales representatives, and design assistants to professional designers, architects, and contractors. Graduates may also choose to be self-employed on a contract basis to hospitals, airlines, hotels and restaurant chains, and other business establishments.
Program Courses
Business Communications
Students will learn the eight basic parts of speech, the correct use of capitalization and punctuation, and effective writing and proofreading. These skills will be transferred to business writing, oral reporting, and resume writing. Listening skills and professionalism will also be emphasized. A research portfolio emphasizing format, grammar, spelling, and content will be a part of the required curriculum. Keyboarding and Formatting: Students create, format, and keyboard common business documents. The students develop the ability to print and edit documents with accuracy and efficiency as well as apply introductory concepts and functions of word processing with confidence. Speed requirement on alphabetic keyboard of 30 wpm and on numeric keyboard of 150 noupm.
Interior Decoration Level I
This course will provide an overview of interior finishes and products to provide a basis for selection of appropriate materials and colours for a given function and character. This course will also include discussions of glass and mirror and specialty lighting. An emphasis will be placed on materials and systems most commonly used in residential and office interiors, including walls, floors, ceilings, and lighting. Field trips to suppliers will be an additional source of information for this course.
Computer Applications
This course provides students with a comprehensive look at computer concepts, such as the Windows operating system, the use of database management software, and the integration of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. The applications students explore include the following: Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Interior Decoration Level II
The focus of this course will be on textiles. It will provide an in-depth study on carpet, window types and coverings, drapery, upholstery fabrics and leather. The emphasis will be on use, application and sourcing for both contract and residential interiors. The course will guide the student to the total co-ordination of rooms with textiles, curtains and blinds, bed dressings, upholstery, and colour.
Computer Applications for Design
Using computer assisted drafting software, students are required to prepare floor plans, elevations, concept boards, perspectives, lighting plans, and axonometric and isometric drawings. Students progress through numerous weekly exercises and a major project assignment.
Professional Practices
Students are given an insight into sound business principles, procedures, and practice. Topics include contracts, permissions, fees/charging, budgeting, costing and estimating, record keeping, insurance, decorator/trade relationships, and project co-ordination. Entrepreneurial skills in marketing, initiating and managing a business practice will be covered.
Success Strategies
Students gain the tools to change beliefs, habits, and attitudes in order to set higher goals and build a positive self-image.
Other Classes
Basic Bookkeeping, Quickbooks.