Interior Decorating-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1036 | Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| DESG-1054 | Decorating Studio 1 | 5 | ||
| This one semester course is delivered on-campus in face to face classes. In a project-oriented format, the student is first introduced to residential interior space, furnishings, style and finishes. Emphasis is placed on basic design elements and principles as they relate to interior decorating. This course will draw upon skills learned in concurrent courses and apply them to real-life projects. Basic planning and presentation techniques will be introduced and reinforced. | ||||
| DRAF-1054 | Working Drawings | 2.5 | ||
| This one semester course is designed to develop the basic drafting and drawing interpretation skills needed by the Interior Decorator. It will introduce all drawing views and techniques required to present a decorating concept, with emphasis placed on precision and accuracy. Students will learn to read and extract information from working drawing packages produced by other professionals. | ||||
| GRAF-1054 | Composition & Presentation | 2 | ||
| This one semester course develops the presentation and visual communication skills needed by the Interior Decorator. A variety of projects will focus on basic sketch and drawing techniques with emphasis on promoting client understanding of the decorator's concept. Students will build on Studio and Working Drawings knowledge and improve their use of the MagnaPlanner tool with supplemental details and sketches. A variety of preparation and presentation techniques for finish samples will be studied and practiced. Students will learn to effectively illustrate their design concepts using a variety of drawing views and professional methods. Composition, three-dimensional understanding, and professional craftsmanship will be emphasized. | ||||
| DESG-1105 | Design Fundamentals | 2 | ||
| This course covers basic design theory. Students are introduced to a variety of design fundamentals through lectures and 'hands-on' 2D and 3D assignments. Students will expand their visual perception by analyzing the fundamental principles and elements of design and their relationship to interior design and interior decorating. | ||||
| MATS-1022 | Materials 1 | 3 | ||
| This one semester course combines online delivery with on-campus evaluation (quizzes and tests). The course teaches the basic math & dimensioning principles required to measure, estimate and cost interior decorating materials. Accurate site dimensioning, measurement conversion and calculation methods for a wide variety of material applications are learned and practiced. Both Imperial and Metric systems will be used, including conversion between systems. | ||||
| DESG-1082 | Professional Practice 1 | 2 | ||
| Professional Practice 1 introduces students to the many aspects of the Interior Decorating industry. Wide variety of career employment directions and related professional organizations will be discussed. Students will also prepare for the employment process by identifying skills, researching and presenting their findings to the class. Microsoft Office will be demonstrated as an option for preparation of professional reports, presentations and communications. | ||||
| COOP-1020 | Co-operative Education Employment Prep | 1 | ||
| This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| COMM-3074 | Communications for Design | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of art and design, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| METH-1030 | Colour 1 | 2 | ||
| This is a one semester lecture and project oriented core course. The student will explore the history and psychology of colour and the various colour theory systems. Authentic decorating material samples will be used extensively in a variety of projects that reinforce colour theory and the student's eye for colour. Project presentation methods will include illustrative sample concepts and pigment mixing exercises. | ||||
| DESG-1011 | Decorating Studio 2 | 4 | ||
| This is a project-oriented course that builds on Decorating Studio 1. Students plan and decorate residential interiors and continue their development of design fundamentals and presentation skills. Style and aesthetics related to the specific requirements of kitchen design will be introduced and applied. Emphasis is placed on the design process as it relates to interior decoration, material selection, lighting and a variety of project presentation formats. | ||||
| DRAF-1063 | Computer Aided Drafting 1 | 2 | ||
| This course introduces computer-aided drafting for interior decorating applications. Students will prepare 2 & 3 dimensional drawings using a library of architectural features to communicate decorating ideas to clients. NKBA Kitchen and Bath Guidelines will be introduced. Cabinetry types and sizing will be discussed and applied to residential interior spaces. | ||||
| CONS-1085 | Anatomy of a House | 3 | ||
| This one semester course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of residential building terminology, structure and the phases of construction. Students will develop an understanding of basic plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems and their implementation in various stages of home building and renovation. In addition, the student will learn principal lighting types, lamps and their characteristics and lighting applications appropriate for residential interiors. | ||||
| MATS-3012 | Materials 2 | 1.5 | ||
| This one semester lecture-based course builds on Materials 1. The properties, manufacture, and selection of various interior decorating materials are covered. The fundamentals of material specification and selection factors for specifying materials are studied, including sustainability considerations for typical material categories. The student will learn about typical wallcovering materials and the introductory processes for estimating them. Floor coverings will be discussed in-depth, along with processes for measuring, analyzing and estimating material amounts for floors. | ||||
| GRAF-1053 | Digital Composition & Presentation | 2 | ||
| This one semester course is designed to further develop the communication skills needed by the Interior Decorator. A variety of projects will focus on digital drawing techniques and presentations with emphasis on promoting client understanding of the decorator's concept. This course will build on the students' understanding of the Design fundamentals through the application of the elements and principles of design in drawing and compositions for client presentation. | ||||
| MKTG-1057 | Selling | 2 | ||
| This course focuses on the fundamentals of selling and product sales. The selling process will be examined and practiced. Students will learn about client relationships and selling techniques including probing, features and benefits, negotiating, closing and follow-up. Emphasis will be placed on product sales including pricing and discounts, ordering, invoicing and the completion of the sale. Students will participate in oral presentations. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| DESG-1055 | Decorating Studio 3 | 5 | ||
| This project-oriented course builds on Interior Decorating Studio 2. Students prepare decorating solutions for a residence. Client interviewing, sourcing of sustainable interior decorating products, identifying/using decorating styles, product and finish specifying, advanced space planning and residential lighting will be taught and practiced. | ||||
| DRAF-3039 | Computer Aided Drafting 2 | 2 | ||
| This course builds on Computer Aided Drafting 1 and prepares the student to develop professional quality artistic renderings for client presentation. Custom drawing tools will be explored and reinforced in print and electronic formats. An introduction to AutoCAD will be included to support industry requirements. | ||||
| BUSI-3029 | Business for Interior Decorating | 2 | ||
| This course provides students with a basic understanding of project management for renovation projects. Topics will include the stages of a residential project, roles and responsibilities of project trades, business and project documentation, timesheets and consulting service fees and fee proposals. | ||||
| MATS-3013 | Materials 3 | 1.5 | ||
| This one semester course combines lectures, discussions and sample reviews. The course builds on Materials 1 & 2. The properties, manufacture and selection of various interior decorating materials are covered. Emphasis is placed on manufactured and natural materials in soft flooring, and on fibre and textile properties for interior uses. The features of soft window coverings will be discussed in-depth, along with processes for analyzing and estimating textile amounts for window treatments. | ||||
| MRCH-1017 | Residential Styling | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to the fundamentals of display and styling. The course will focus on the application of styling and display concepts in a residential setting-accessorizing, placement and balance for displays, art installations etc. Students will discuss and practice staging a space (for residential home sales). Holiday decorating will be explored through hands-on activities. | ||||
| METH-3021 | Colour 2 | 2 | ||
| This course builds on Colour I. Students apply colour theory to practice by preparing colour schemes for interior spaces. Students will present critiques of finished colour schemes and assess how they relate to colour theory, human perception, decorating trends and styles. Colour application and material selections for interior spaces will be discussed and practiced through hands-on projects. Oral presentations, colour and material selections and coloured sketches will be an integral part of this course. | ||||
| HIST-1028 | History of Period Styles 1 | 3 | ||
| This one semester course is designed to develop an understanding and interest in the furniture and architectural styles of the past. This course serves as a General Education credit within the program and discusses how history, politics, religion, climate, geography, social conditions and physical resources have shaped and influenced the architecture and interior furnishings of each country and time period studied. It fosters an aesthetic appreciation in the student by helping them understand beauty, form, taste and the role of the arts in society. It will allow the student to discuss, research, and replicate a design based in a past era or style. Areas of study include Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Renaissance, and the French periods and Victorian era. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| DESG-3030 | Decorating Studio 4 | 5 | ||
| This is a project orientated course that builds on Decorating Studio 3. Students space plan and decorate more complex residential and public spaces that address barrier-free space planning and universal design needs. Aging in place will be researched and applied to an existing residential home. Client presentation will be reinforced throughout the semester. | ||||
| DEVL-1033 | Presentation & Portfolio Development | 1.5 | ||
| This course focuses on developing the student's ability to market themselves as a decorating professional. Students will prepare an individual branding identity. Their final branding package will include a resume, business card and a professional work portfolio. Students will refine and photograph completed projects for their portfolios. Students will present their portfolio during class. | ||||
| MATS-5009 | Materials 4 | 1.5 | ||
| Continuing from Materials 3, students will learn about blind and shade window coverings, and the basics of residential furniture construction and sourcing. Textile customs for windows, furniture reupholstery and refurbishment, and workroom practices will be discussed. Students will develop a materials and furniture schedule reflecting a typical project. The remainder of the course will focus on the outside of the home, where students will be introduced to exterior materials and elements used in residential construction. Properties of siding & roofing will be discussed, along with design and colour basics for exterior concepts and vocabulary for residential house types. | ||||
| MRCH-1018 | Visual Merchandising | 2 | ||
| This course focuses on Retail visual merchandising of home products. Students will critique existing field related displays through a variety of retail visits. The students will produce a merchandised display in a real life setting. The students will also plan & illustrate a retail merchandising concept for the home furnishings and accessories market. Emphasis will be placed on lighting, display tools and techniques for retail merchandising. Window display, table display & lifestyle settings will be taught and practiced with hands-on activities. | ||||
| DRAF-3038 | Computer Aided Drafting 3 | 1.5 | ||
| This course continues to build upon Computer Aided Drafting 2 and prepares the student to further develop professional quality drawings for client presentations. Custom drawing tools will be explored and reinforced in print and electronic formats. Students continue to work on more advanced and custom residential spaces including: plans; elevations; perspectives; reflected ceiling plans; and specification charts. | ||||
| HIST-3015 | History of Period Styles 2 | 3 | ||
| This one semester course is designed to develop an understanding and interest in the furniture and architectural styles of the past. This course serves as a General Education credit within the program and discusses how history, politics, religion, climate, geography, social conditions and physical resources have shaped and influenced the architecture and interior furnishings of each country and time period studied. It fosters an aesthetic appreciation in the student by helping them understand beauty, form, taste and the role of the arts in society. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 4 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 19 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||