Design Degrees Online

The study of interior design is more closely aligned with “interior architecture”, as opposed to interior decoration. The study of interior design is theoretical as well as practical, and is about creating interior environments/spaces for people in support of their activities – it is not necessarily about filling rooms with floor coverings, furniture, and window and wall treatments.
Everywhere you go, you see the influence of interior designers. The public’s demand for design services has grown rapidly and with that growth has come a wider range of specialization. Today you have the choice of specializing in residential design or non-residential design. Non-residential design, also known as Contract Design or Commercial Design, includes a broad range of project types including but not limited to: commercial and professional office design, health care, elderly care, education, museums, theaters, retail, government, recreation, restaurants, and hospitality. Individuals with training in interior design also may specialize in other areas such as set design for stage and screen productions, lighting design, color consultation, product development and marketing, teaching and research, journalism, facilities management, and historic preservation.

What Skills Would I Need?

Although artistic talent is certainly important, it is only one of many abilities a successful interior designer needs. You would also be expected to:
• Be sensitive to the client’s needs and have a thorough understanding of human behavior
• Approach a problem creatively and analytically
• Communicate ideas visually (using sketches, drawings, and study models) as well as orally and in writing
• Be meticulous about detail and accuracy
• Budget your time carefully and meet demanding deadlines
• Make cost estimates, understand purchasing and selling methods, and manage finances and business operations
• Have computer skills as a tool for design as well as for business management

What Can I Do Right Now To Prepare?

If you are still in high school, take demanding college-preparatory courses that require you to develop self-discipline and analytical ability. Include electives in art, art history, industrial arts, mechanical drawing or drafting, and computer science. Look for part-time jobs that will give you a chance to explore the field of design. Volunteer to help set and lighting design for school plays and community theater. Work for a building contractor, interior designer, or offer to do window displays for a local store.

• Purchase a sketchbook and practice observational drawing – draw anything you can see
• Keep an up-to-date record of your work in a portfolio
• Check your library or bookstore for books and magazines about interior design
• Seek out and talk to interior design professionals in your area

At Winthrop we always welcome students and their families to talk with the faculty and visit classes. Call our main office and make an appointment at your convenience.

Course Overview
BA(Hons) Design reflects the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary design practice. It is diverse enabling students to specialise in one of the pathway awards.

The course introduces students to design principles and approaches a fostering, investigative and experimental approach to resolving design briefs through creativity, an awareness of human needs, and the generation of new insights and ideas.

It encourages reflection, flexibility and the independence to take increasing responsibility for the focus of work, leading to self-initiated projects by the end of the course.

Students will have the opportunity to tackle ?live? briefs working with industrial partners and design consultancies, to study abroad as part of our exchange programme, and enter design competitions. Practical skills covered include applied textiles, graphic communication, multimedia design, ergonomics, copywriting and video, physical and virtual modeling.

The practice based elements of the course are underpinned by an integrated programme of critical and contextual studies. Through this students will gain a knowledge of historical and contemporary design issues, engage with critical debate and develop research skills which enable them to rationalise, promote and better develop design ideas.

The professional studies programme incorporates skills training, portfolio development, and personal development planning, equipping students with a career plan toward opportunities in the creative industries and the UK?s burgeoning creative sector. Graduates find employment in consultancy and freelance design, and also in related careers such as retail, design management, design research, journalism, exhibitions and events, marketing, branding, advertising and education. Increasingly, they setting up their own businesses, for which our graduates are well prepared in entrepreneurial skills and creative thinking.