Interior designers transform home and commercial spaces into unique, functional areas. This 100% online course will fully train you for a career in interior design. Upon successful course completion, you will earn the designation of Certified Residential Interior Designer by the Designer Society of America.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for interior designers is $49,810. Salary can increase depending on a number of factors, including length of projects, clientele, type of employment and experience.
The BLS also reports that the demand for interior designers is projected to increase by 5% through the year 2026.
Pass the Residential Interior Designer Exam (RIDE) on course completion to become a Certified Residential Interior Designer.
Understand all aspects of the interior design business - tasks, responsibilities, best practices, client service, and more.
Learn how to start and run your own interior design business.
Learn how to create a design concept and floor plan.
Understand basic elements of any interior design project and how to manipulate them.
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Natasha Lima-Younts
Natasha Lima-Younts has worked in interior design for over 20 years. She graduated from Bauder Design College and went on to found Gables Interiors in Miami, Florida and Gables Plantation Designs in Albany, Georgia. Her work has been featured in magazines including Florida Architecture and Spectacular Homes, as well as on "The View," and she was chosen as Miami's "Designer for the Stars" seven years in a row. In 1999, she founded the Designer Society of America to create a sense of community and help aspiring designers achieve their goals.
Interior designers determine design items, such as colors, lighting, and materials to make indoor spaces functional and attractive. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, interior designers “must be able to draw, read, and edit blueprints.”
This course allows you to obtain the R.I.D.E (Residential Interior Design Education) credential and is designed to prepare you for the RIDQC (Residential Interior Design Qualifying Certification) certification. Individuals who have the necessary hands-on experience, design-related education, or a combination of both are eligible to take the RIDQC Exam.
To fulfill the prerequisites, you will need to successfully complete this course, which includes passing the R.I.D.E (Residential Interior Design Education) exam and completing the final interior design presentation for review by the DSA. You can view the full requirements at https://www.ridqcexam.org/about/.
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
Getting Started
Exploring a career in residential interior design; introduction to design basics and space planning
History of Styles and Furnishings
Prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance to the 20th Century; and 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 and putting it all together
This is a self-paced course that can be completed 100% online. Open enrollment means you can start anytime.
