Interior Design Course

[jefword]

Hi, Just wondered if any of you have any experience or recommendations as regards web based interior design courses.

The wife is looking into doing one, not so much as to go into business as an interior designer, but more to fulfil a dream she had when younger and was at college but quit for the lure of earning money.

The course she is considering, after looking at several is this one at a cost of around £350.

http://britishcollegeofinteriordesign.com/


Myself being rather dubious and overly cautious of anything like this and who has no idea about interior design has alarm bells screaming racket & scam.

Any advice from anyone who has done this course, or know of this company/college and can give recommendations regarding them or indeed any other similar courses from other companies will be much appreciated.

Thanks, Jeff.

[insurance_jon]

don't know course, but many of the £350 courses end up on groupon for £50 so have a look there and it might have an offer on

[GT03ROB]

funnily enough I asked same question here yesterday....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[littlegreenfairy]

GT03ROB said:

funnily enough I asked same question here yesterday....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

My personal opinion is if she doesn't want to do it as a career then you can't really do wrong by reading loads of interior magazines (everything from country homes to Elle decoration) and just read and learn that way. Between that and a bit of time on Pinterest she should learn enough.

[jefword]

Thanks for the info.

The bit about groupon has certainly opened my eyes. There isn't any interior design courses on at the moment but some of the price differences for other courses are astounding.

[GnuBee]

littlegreenfairy said:

My personal opinion is if she doesn't want to do it as a career then you can't really do wrong by reading loads of interior magazines (everything from country homes to Elle decoration) and just read and learn that way. Between that and a bit of time on Pinterest she should learn enough.

Those magazines and sites (add houzz.com as well) are good for inspiration certainly but you're going to get superficial at best coverage of basic things like mood boards, presenting to a client etc.

[littlegreenfairy]

GnuBee said:

Those magazines and sites (add houzz.com as well) are good for inspiration certainly but you're going to get superficial at best coverage of basic things like mood boards, presenting to a client etc.

But she isn't doing it for a career.

In the end it is just my opinion but if I'm brutally honest at a lower level it was the biggest amount of bullst I've come across. Perhaps my tolerance for that sort of thing is a little low (non-existent) or perhaps I'm overestimating the ability of people. Perhaps I don't agree with a lot of these online courses that seem to be made up in a bar over a weekend that really deliver very little content.

[GnuBee]

littlegreenfairy said:

But she isn't doing it for a career.

In the end it is just my opinion but if I'm brutally honest at a lower level it was the biggest amount of bullst I've come across. Perhaps my tolerance for that sort of thing is a little low (non-existent) or perhaps I'm overestimating the ability of people. Perhaps I don't agree with a lot of these online courses that seem to be made up in a bar over a weekend that really deliver very little content.

I bet some of them are and I agree some are just milking a very specific demographic. Some of it will also depend in where you are in terms of experience and in the absence of a detailed curriculum many of the on-line courses are likely to be, at best, a superficial introduction.

I'd be looking for something residential, with a reasonable duration (5 days at a residential course with a defined outcome is going to be a lot more beneficial than 6 months of 1 hour a week and a completion certificate) and is not purporting to turn you into a creative genius ready for a senior position at Sims Hilditch.

[littlegreenfairy]

You put it much better than I can.

(Thank you for not jumping down my throat for being a grumpy paws!)

All these people who go to a class, get a certificate and then think they are 'qualified' annoy me no end. They won't charge a good rate and devalue the rest of the profession. This goes for photographers (an SLR on full auto makes not a pro photographer) and seamstresses and wedding planners (all I have come across in the last week and been less than impressed with their ability)

I will not pretend to be a master of any of these things but it is easy to see who is and isn't. I do everything for my own enjoyment and to be able to do bits for myself. Anyone who wants to use me for pin money is very welcome to, but I would never pretend to be a pro.

And don't get me started on the title 'engineer'

Edited by littlegreenfairy on Wednesday 11th November 13:28