Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration

Your chance to develop invaluable connections...

"My favourite part were the friendships I made with both fellow classmates and lecturers. "

Nikita Karr | 2015 Graduate
Bachelor of Communication Design

Build a decorated career in Interior Design through a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration.

The Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration provides graduates with a theoretical and technical base of knowledge of general interior design, decoration principles and practice.

Students are also given an introduction to specialist areas within the interior design and decoration field, leading either to entry-level employment in the interior design and decoration sector or to further specialised design study at Bachelor level.

The Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration is available online as well as on-campus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Complete your Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration in the city of your choice in one year (full time) or two years (part time).

CRICOS CODE
092484B

Key Study Outcomes:

  • Understanding of decoration principles and practice
  • Theoretical and technical knowledge of interior design
  • Specialist knowledge in design and decoration
  • Further specialised design study at Bachelor level

About the School

Billy Blue College of Design courses are delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO 41343, CRICOS 03389E.

Read more about Billy Blue College of Design

Billy Blue College of Design

Course Delivery

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Workload and Assessment

No. of timetabled hours per week:

Each subject involves 10 hours of study per week, comprising 3 timetabled study hours and 7 personal study hours (which may include a facilitated online component).

Typical assessment includes:

  • Practical assignments

  • Research projects

  • Presentations

Subject Information

In this subject the students will identify both the structural and non-structural elements of a chosen site. Students will identify the existing services, material features, and construction methods and analyse their suitability for a client. Students will identify relevant equipment, regulations, standards and procedures to prepare for a site visit. Students will research projects of a related nature to identify elements of spatial configuration and demonstrate how they apply to a client brief. Student will demonstrate through evidence of design process how to apply elements and principles to spatial design.
Students communicate design solutions through 2D and 3D visualisation techniques which satisfies the client’s needs.

The subject introduces the student to various aspects of the elements of design, e.g. materiality, form and shape, colour, positive and negative space etc. utilized in creative problem solving. Initially students are introduced to a design development process, from the tangible to the digital; through paper model making with its inherent skills development and risk taking, then on to further digital development using newly introduced software.

Concurrent, weekly, individual homework tasks focus on understanding and appreciation of materials, their many varied uses, properties and the manufacturing processes related to them.
Students will make incremental progress towards choosing a material in which their individual design can be realized. The submission will include a material and colour folio.

The final submission will be a model executed in an appropriate material with its function/usage contextualized with all relevant information gleaned throughout the trimester.

This subject investigates the evolution of built environment design. It explores major art and architectural movements throughout history and the development of contemporary design by investigating significant turning points and historic milestones.

This subject will focus on developing the students’ understanding of the complexities of designing an area within a spatial environment whilst identifying and activating an urban site, with consideration of the longevity and adaptability of the final design solution. Students will integrate their research and knowledge of environments, identifying design related and environmental imperatives in the realisation of design briefs.

This subject includes the development of the students own voice through exploring and experimenting with new ideas in making and/or interpreting work. The student will develop acquired skills, develop conceptual skills and ideas, evaluate their own work and research work opportunities. The student consolidates their knowledge of the design industry, design as a profession and the relationship between design and other industries.
The student applies industry knowledge to work activities, maximising effective performance and also gains knowledge of ways to maintain currency in design industry trends and practice.

Within a commercial context, the student learns how to analyse the project brief, conduct project research, generate decorative themes and concepts, select and specify internal finishes, furniture, furnishings, lighting and object d’art. For this subject the student will present a fully resolved scheme and evaluate the client response.

In this subject knowledge of structural components and systems is developed and the student learns how to interpret plans and specifications for interior projects. The student is introduced to legislative regulations, codes and standards and their application in residential design. This subject introduces the student to industry standard CAD software and its application. The student will learn how to set up CAD drawings, create and edit objects, add text and dimensions to drawings and plot or print drawings.

In this subject the student learns how to identify the different types and features of hard materials and the hard material requirements for a project. The student carried out research on various hard materials and finishes and documents the recommendations for the client. The student furthers their knowledge of the Australian Standards and regulations and codes. The sustainability of a design is assessed and the student learns how to apply resources sustainably.

This subject introduces the student to research and specification of furniture, soft furnishings and accessories for interior spaces. The student learns how to interpret the decoration requirements from a project brief, research furniture and accessories and make the appropriate recommendations to the client. The student also learns how to assess soft furnishing requirements, research soft furnishing materials, window treatments, and soft floor coverings. The student is introduced to the application of Australian Standards, documentation and presentation of decorative recommendations.

In this subject the student learns how to develop and refine a range of techniques to produce technical and concept drawings. The student explores the way design drawing, both technical and concept, can be applied to interior decoration and design contexts where visual representation is required. The student learns how to produce floor plans, elevations, sections, isometric, and axonometric drawings relevant to interior spaces and furniture.
Both manual and digital methods and techniques are explored.

Drawing is a rudimentary and essential basis for any design career. This subject introduces the student to the methods and techniques of basic photo imaging and drawing and professional visualisation in the context of interior design. Students explore a range of techniques and materials and their application in order to communicate design concepts and assist students in understanding the principles of design and their specific application to drawing. Both manual and digital methods of visual communication are explored.

This subject is an introduction to the design process and its application to interior decorating and design. The student learns about design principles and elements and their place in the creative design process. Producing design concepts for an interior space through a series of exercises using creative thinking methods, e.g. brainstorming, trigger word, etc., the student uses experimentation to explore and challenge a range of different ideas. The production of sample boards and presentation boards is explored. During this subject the student acquires a basic understanding of sustainability, environmental hazards/risks, resource use and inefficiencies associated with the interior design workplace and apply those principles to the design studio environment.

Students can engage in this subject either through external placement or internal placement.
External Placement:
Offers students the opportunity to work within a professional design studio for a period of time. Student are exposed to professional work environments and are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in this through a collaborative design project.
Externally placed students will be matched to an appropriate mentor at the placement site and monitored by an academic in the discipline of study.
Internal Placement:
Students will engage with a similar range of professional experiences to those placed externally. Assignment to, and management of, WIL tasks may occur face to face or via a dedicated online platform.
Internally placed students will be directed by a project leader/academic.
In both cases:

  • Students may or may not see projects through to completion but may contribute to (and be assessed on) progress
  • Students may be involved in the initial pitch to clients and/or supervisors for the awarding of the project
  • Students may, or may not, be involved in presenting the project during its progress, or at completion
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