Diploma in Interior Decorating Fanshawe College

The places we live and work affect us deeply. They can influence our moods and create harmony. These days, the designs of the spaces we inhabit are reflections of ourselves. If you’re interested in leaving your personal and creative mark on the physical spaces of the world, the Interior Decorating program will help you design a career that matches your passions.

Your Learning Experience

Fanshawe's Interior Decorating program combines in-class studies that will inspire your creativity with an array of practical experiences to which you will apply your knowledge. Graduate career-ready with innovative creativity and knowledge of decorating techniques and products valued by employers in many segments of the home decor industry.

Study space planning, color theory, material selection, design fundamentals, presentation techniques, and illustration and visual merchandising. You’ll also learn critical business skills like professional communication, personal marketing, and sales. Courses are delivered in lecture, studio, and lab formats, as well as in the hands-on studio environment where you’ll work on 2- and 3-dimensional projects with our industry-trained professional faculty. During two paid co-op work terms, you'll gain the hands-on industry experience employers are looking for, further developing your professional portfolio.

Interior Decorating is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in one of the many segments of the residential interior decorating field. Students will study the fundamentals of interior decorating, including space planning, color theory, material selection, kitchen and bath design, and visual merchandising. Students will build interpersonal, communication, sales, business, and marketing skills. Drawing, presentation, and drafting techniques (both manual and computer-aided) will be developed. Courses are delivered in lecture, studio, and lab formats; the hands-on studio environment allows the student to work on 2D and 3D projects in close contact with their professor.

The Interior Decorating program is recognized by The Designers Association of Canada (CDECA), the national organization of professional interior decorators and designers.

Co-op Opportunities

The Interior Decorating program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand work experience in their chosen field. Here are some of the co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of Interior Decorating students before even graduate!

Staging and Design Assistant

Creating attractive and functional spaces designed to increase the market value of residential or commercial properties.

Color Specialist

Creating paint, window treatment, and flooring color solutions to meet a client’s goals.

Décor Consultant

Draw on product knowledge and decor theory to help clients select individual items such as furniture, accessories, and lighting to meet their decorating goals.

Courses

Level 1

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• WRIT-1036 ---- Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design

• DESG-1054 ---- Decorating Studio 1

• DRAF-1054 ---- Working Drawings

• GRAF-1046 ---- Graphic Presentation Techniques 1

• DESG-1022 ---- Design Fundamentals

• MATS-1022 ---- Materials 1

• DESG-1082 ---- Professional Practice 1

• COOP-1020 ---- Co-operative Education Employment Prep

Level 2

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• COMM-3074 ---- Communications for Design

• METH-1030 ---- Colour 1

• DESG-1011 ---- Decorating Studio 2

• DRAF-1063 ---- Computer Aided Drafting 1

• CONS-1079 ---- Anatomy of a House

• MATS-3012 ---- Materials 2

• DRAF-3023 ---- Working Drawings 2

• MKTG-1057 ---- Selling

Level 3

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• DESG-1055 ---- Decorating Studio 3

• DRAF-3033 ---- Computer Aided Drafting 2

• BUSI-3029 ---- Business for Interior Decorating

• MATS-3013 ---- Materials 3

• MRCH-1017 ---- Residential Styling

• METH-3021 ---- Colour 2

• HIST-1028 ---- History of Period Styles 1

Level 4

General Education - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• DESG-3030 ---- Decorating Studio 4

• DEVL-1033 ---- Presentation & Portfolio Development

• MATS-5002 ---- Materials 4

• MRCH-1018 ---- Visual Merchandising

• MKTG-1058 ---- Event Planning

• HIST-3015 ---- History of Period Styles 2

General Education - 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

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Analyze clients' needs and goals to create a decorating solution.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the completed decorating project based on the specific requirements of the client.
3. Communicate using a variety of formats (such as verbal, written, visual, and digital) to describe the decorating concept to the client and contractors
4. Assess and select materials and finishes to be used in the decorating project, to meet the needs of the client.
5. Prepare technical documents as necessary for the implementation of the final decorating solution.
6. Collaborate with a variety of design and decorating professionals and other industry specialists for the implementation of the decorating solution.
7. Employ customer relationship management practices to maintain a positive reputation as an interior decorator that will encourage repeat business or referrals.
8. Employ project management to manage the time, resources, and costs required to implement the decorating solution to meet the needs of the client.
9. Adhere to industry-standard codes, regulations, and by-laws when creating a decorating solution.
10. Employ environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the selection of materials and products used in the decorating solution.

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Interior Decorating program may find employment in retail sales of furniture, drapery, lighting, flooring, paint, and other related products or as a decor consultant in a retail or showroom setting. Other opportunities include kitchen and bath design and sales, home staging, visual merchandising, product representation, and decorating specifications for new home construction. Many graduates have plans to open their own retail or consulting businesses.

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Interior Decorating program:

Interior Decorator

Help customers choose the right furniture and accessories for their home or cottage.

Design Consultant

Create inviting showroom displays and assist residential and commercial clients by recommending functional and aesthetic home finishing selections that are suited to their tastes and needs.

Design Drafter

Create and revise floor plans, 3D drawings, and elevation drawings for cabinet design.