There are 12 units of study

Module One: The Vast World of Interior Design

This first module will open your eyes to all the career possibilities available to you in the world of interior design, and particularly in the realm we'll be focusing on: residential design. You'll explore the wide range of opportunities and challenges you'll encounter as you design these spaces, whether you're creating a comfortable family room or outfitting a sleek urban penthouse. Then you'll take a look at the other side of design, the commercial sphere, where interior designers create everything from exclusive boutique hotels to Madison Avenue retail storefronts. This module also explains the differences between interior design and interior decoration so that you can choose the discipline that suits you best. By the end of this module, you'll be familiar with many types of careers you probably never knew existed. With this introduction, you'll be on your way to becoming part of the design community.

Module 2: Tools of the Trade

In module 2, I'll introduce you to the specialized drawing tools interior designers use to help them create and present their designs. Then we'll explore some fundamental concepts—the elements of design—that will serve as the building blocks of all the compositions you create. Finally, we'll review the principles of design—guidelines for combining these elements into beautiful compositions. If you already feel confident in your abilities to design, this module will give you a checklist to make sure your designs work visually. And if you're a bit nervous or insecure about creating your designs, these skills will provide a safety net to assure that your designs are harmonious and beautiful.

Module 3: You Gotta Have Style

This module takes you on a journey throughout the past and present, and prepares you for your future designs as we explore a plethora of design styles. We begin in the Renaissance in Italy and move throughout Europe, from England to Germany, and learn about the progression of interior spaces into the modern age. We then discover the latest trends of today and see which styles are the most popular in cutting-edge homes. And finally, we go around the world and look at how our global world and unique cultures can help us create unique styles we can incorporate into homes today.

Module 4: Colors of the World

In module 4, we'll be covering one of my favorite topics of interior design—color! We'll start off by briefly exploring the science behind color and why we see the way we do. Then I'll show you a tool to help you start building harmonious color palettes. Next, we'll take a look at some of the surprising things that can happen when you put the wrong colors together. By knowing about these unexpected optical illusions, you'll be able to prevent mistakes in your own designs. And finally, you'll learn about the various cultural associations people have with color and discover how you can influence the mood of others through the colors you select for your designs.

Module 5: Plans, Elevations, and Details—Oh My!

As an interior designer, you can let your imagination run wild—but how can you make sure that the ideas in your head materialize in the space you're designing? That's where architectural drawings come in. They communicate the designer's vision to the clients, the contractors, the architect, and others. In this module, you'll get an overview of the kinds of drawings interior designers use throughout the design process. You'll learn to identify and read various types of technical drawings, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and details.  Then you'll explore drawings in three-dimensions as we discuss axonometric, one-point, and two-point perspective presentation drawings

Module 6: Plan That Space!

Sharpen those pencils because this module is going to get down to the nitty-gritty of design. We're talking feet and inches as we look at the guidelines and standard measurements that are the industry-wide rules of thumb when planning spaces. Before you can think three-dimensionally, you've got to start with a simple piece of paper and an architect's scale and make sure that you can get all the necessities to fit within a space—where they're comfortable without being tight and spacious without feeling empty.

Module 7: Living in a Material World

So, your space is all laid out. But your clients won't be living in a graph paper world! In this module, we'll be exploring the various types of materials available you can use to achieve beautiful interiors. We'll be looking into a wide range of finishes, which include natural materials (including stone and wood), synthetic materials (tile, laminate, and resilient flooring to name a few), and carpet. By the end of this module, you'll have the knowledge to start transforming your pencil-and-paper notions into a full-color, textural space

Module 8: The Fabrics of Our Lives

As an interior designer, you'll spend a lot of time dealing with textiles. Fabrics, after all, cover our interior world—from bedding to window treatments to upholstery. In this module, you'll get an introduction to the various types of fibers available, as well as their various strengths and weaknesses, so you can make best selections for each application.  After mastering the various types of textile goods, you'll take a closer look at where you'll be using these fabrics, starting with the various styles of bedding and pillows.  You'll finish up the module with windows—or, more precisely, window treatments—and get some pointers on how to successfully design draperies that will beautifully frame the transition between your stunning interior design and nature's beauty of the outdoors.

Module 9: Lights, Camera, Action!

Light is one of the most important but also one of the trickiest elements to get right in an interior space.  This module will explain the psychology behind good lighting design and help you create the right effect in your space while making it visually interesting without becoming overwhelming or flat and dull.  You'll also become familiar with the various types of light fixtures available to use in your designs and learn how to select from the many types of artificial light sources available on the market today.

Module 10: Design for All

With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, barriers were literally removed, allowing a previously excluded population access to spaces meant for everyone.  In this module, you'll explore how to incorporate some of the requirements of this act into the home, creating spaces that allow retirees to age gracefully in their homes.  And for users with more specific disabilities, you'll learn how to adapt their spaces to allow them to maintain their independence through your design choices.

Module 11: It's Not Easy Being Green

Increasingly, people in the world are becoming aware that we have limited resources at our disposal.  Many in the interior design industry are pioneering new ways of designing that look at the life cycle of a product and consider the environmental implications.  In this module, you'll learn about green design, which is the art of creating beautiful spaces that are efficient in their use of energy and natural resources.  You'll learn about various types of green certification so you aren't mislead by false claims and explore specific things you'll want to consider when dealing with certain types of products.

Module 12: Taking Care of Business

In this module, the course culminates with practical advice on how to set up and run your own interior design business.  You'll get some suggestions on how to set up your studio by determining the legal business structure, advice on how to look the part, and practical recommendations for outfitting your space. Then, you'll move on to the fine art of getting and serving clients, including suggestions on marketing yourself and setting your pricing structure so you can make money doing what you love.  Finally, I'll offer some advice as you navigate the construction process with your contractors, clients, and vendors.

There are 12 units of study

Making the Transition from Gardener to Nurseryman 

In our first lesson, you'll meet other gardeners who've successfully made the transition to nurserymen. You may be surprised to discover that, within the small space of a backyard, you can produce significant income by growing plants. You'll also learn what permits and licenses you may need as you get started.

Your Climate Considerations

Today, we'll take a close look at climate zone maps to help you figure out what plants will grow best in your region. Then we'll teach you easy ways to prepare your growing grounds. Finally, we'll show you ways to create inexpensive microclimates that will help you start your plants and expand the varieties you can grow.

Necessary Supplies and Where to Find Them

In this lesson, you'll learn what production supplies you'll need and how to find wholesale sources for them. We'll discuss cover containers, soil, fertilizer, and labels. Then we'll talk about why it's important to keep track of your expenses for tax purposes.

Plant Propagation Methods

Starting new plants is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for gardeners and nurseryman alike. The process of starting new plants is called propagation. In this lesson, we'll focus on the three major methods used in nursery production: propagation by seed, cuttings, and division.

Reduce Your Growing Time: Buy Plants from Other Growers

In this lesson, we'll teach you the most valuable lesson we've learned in this business: How to reduce the waiting time involved in growing plant material. You'll learn what types of starter plants are available and how to find wholesale sources. We'll also offer some valuable guidelines to help you decide what to grow. Then we'll talk about how to find additional sources of information and business networking opportunities through nurserymen associations and trade shows.

Growing Annuals (Including Vegetables, Herbs, and Bulbs)

In this lesson, we'll focus on growing annual flowers and bulbs, paying special attention to market timing. You'll learn how to create high-value items such as color bowls and hanging baskets. Then we'll discuss vegetable starter plants and herbs. Specializing in organic growing will help you tap into a lucrative area of the nursery trade, so we'll fill you in on all you need to know about organic growing and certification.

Growing Perennials

In this lesson, we'll focus on one of the hottest topics in gardening: The particular group of non-woody plants that nurseries call “perennials.” You'll become familiar not only with the favorites, but with the wide variety of perennials available. Then we'll go over some detailed information about specific perennials, including how to grow them and how to time them for market.

Growing Shrubs, Roses, and Vines

Today we'll talk about woody plants--such as shrubs and vines--that form the more permanent plantings in a landscape. We'll pay particular attention to roses because they're among the most beautiful and profitable shrubs. In addition, you'll learn how to grow small fruiting shrubs and vines for specialty markets.

Growing Various Trees in Sizes from #1s to #15s

Trees may be the largest members of the plant kingdom, but they're also among the easiest and most profitable to grow. In this lesson, you'll not only learn how to propagate landscape trees, but how to greatly shorten their growing time by buying bare-root seedlings and finished bare-roots. We'll complete the lesson with a discussion on fruiting and flowering trees.

Producing a Quality Plant

Whether you're growing plants for fun or profit, you'll want to produce quality plant material. In this lesson, we'll provide guidelines for quality standards. You'll learn about pruning, staking, and training plants into special shapes and forms. We'll also talk about methods you can use to ward off diseases and pests.

Wholesale Marketing

If you're like most gardeners, growing plants is the easy part—marketing is the real challenge! In this lesson, we'll begin with a discussion on wholesale marketing. You'll learn all you need to know to do business with discount chain stores, local retailers, and landscapers. Then we'll explore consignment selling, contract growing, and business-to-business Internet options.

Retail Marketing

In our final lesson, we'll discuss retail marketing, or taking your product directly to the public. You'll learn how to advertise inexpensively and effectively so you're not just growing plants, you're growing your business! We'll explain what you'll need to know to sell your plants from your home or garage sales, certified farmers markets, and flea markets. Then we'll discuss selling your plants to government or public agencies.