Interior Design Online Bundle, 5 Certificate Courses

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.

There are 12 units of study

A Strategy for Success

In this first lesson, as you take that first step along your entrepreneurial path, you'll meet your instructor and learn about her childhood, growing up in ChocolateTown USA. You'll meet several leading entrepreneurs and determine if you have similar passions and skill sets. And, you'll discover that business plans are not just for funding your dream, but for guiding it along the path to success (as you choose to define it).

Defining Your Business

Today, you'll start to mold your business. You'll develop a vision and a mission for your enterprise. You'll define and refine your product or service, and you'll uncover your niche. This is the fun part of the journey—your only limitation is your imagination!

The Role of the Customer

We'll focus on the customer in this lesson. Today's successful companies focus not on the products and services that they offer, but on the customers that they serve—on many levels. Together, we'll position your company to be customer-centric. And, you'll learn how to move that customer from satisfied to loyal (and perhaps even an advocate for your business).

Structuring Your Organization

In this lesson, you'll structure your organization so it's in the best position to provide your product or service to your targeted customers. I'll help you create a board of experts to guide you along your journey. You'll discover the role that change plays in your entrepreneurial evolution. Change is good—it shows that you're thinking!

The Marketing Plan

Today, we’ll explore the plan within the plan—the marketing section of your business plan. We'll lay the foundation for your marketing efforts and we'll define sales and marketing (there is a difference!). We'll also explore the features and benefits of your product or service, and we'll begin the ongoing task of market research. This is where you can differentiate your product or service from that of your competition.

The Competition

For today's lesson, we'll explore three separate areas of marketing. First, you'll learn about your competitors so that you can better position yourself and discover just how solid your business ideas are. We'll discuss one of the most difficult issues of new business—pricing. Finally, we become the SWOT team—analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Marketing in Action

Today, you'll join a panel of outstanding marketing, public relations, and graphics experts who are also entrepreneurs and believe in the power of networking. We'll explore graphic design, logos, image, public relations, and guerrilla marketing. And you'll also discover marketing in action in this lesson.

Operations, Manufacturing, and a Surprise!

Today, we'll start by hearing Alice in Wonderland explain to the Mad Hatter that, in a topsy-turvy world, it seems like (you) have to do something wrong first, in order to learn from what not to do. And then, by not doing what (you're) not supposed to do, perhaps (you'll) be right. But (you'd) rather be right the first time, wouldn't you? Confused? We'll tackle manufacturing and operations concerns in this not-so-topsy-turvy lesson.

Understanding the Finance Section (Part I)

In this lesson, you'll learn that both successes and failures can be tremendous teachers—but you'll have to apply those lessons learned to other life or business ventures. For today's lesson, we'll take a bird's eye view of the financial section of a business plan. We'll also briefly explore the capital equipment list, the balance sheet, and break-even analysis.

Understanding the Finance Section (Part II)

In this lesson, we'll discuss three additional financial components of the plan. We'll explore the projected income statement (always a fun area!), cash flow, and historical financial records. Be sure to take some time to explore the Supplemental Links area (in this lesson and in all the others) for outstanding online resources.

Financing Your Business

Today, we'll continue our focus on money, but from a different perspective than in the previous two lessons. We'll focus on funding and financing opportunities, and by the end of this lesson, you should have a better understanding of financing. You'll also find out where to locate traditional (and not so traditional) sources of funding.

The Final Document

In our final lesson, you'll end one journey while beginning another. First, you'll write an outstanding executive summary. We'll discuss a few important document formatting tips, and you'll learn what supporting documents you should add to your final business plan. You now hold all the keys to the doors along your entrepreneurial path. Journey well!

There are 12 units of study

Introduction of Listen To Your Heart and Success Will Follow Concepts

This lesson is an introduction into the concept that you can take control of your life and reinvent a lifestyle that's more enjoyable, balanced, and productive. Today you'll get a taste of the powerful tools, strategies, systems, and solutions in this course that will help guide you toward discovering, creating, and implementing your heartfelt desires. This will be your inspiration to begin creating a life you'll love!

Key #1: Accept That You Must Let Go Of Your Past

In this lesson, we'll address the first key toward happiness, which is letting go of the past. We'll discuss how to accept change and turn it into an opportunity by learning how to take control of your life. You'll learn strategies for how to cope with the stress and anxiety that change brings, and we'll go over some tips you can use to guide you in establishing new boundaries and how to honor them.

Key #2: Take A Close Look At Your Previous Endeavors

In this lesson, we'll be examining what choices you've made in the past, particularly in regard to lifestyle, relationships, and career. You'll evaluate these choices and see what worked, what didn't work, and what you would like to have happened.

Key #3: Get To Know Yourself Really Well

This lesson could be a turning point for you because it's all about getting to know yourself really well. Once you can get clear about who you are (your skills, aptitudes, gifts, talents, passions, desires, needs, and values), you'll be able to strengthen your personal foundation and thus design a high-quality life.

Key #4: Align Your Head With Your Heart

In this lesson, you'll begin finding your way to a place where your head is in harmony with your heart. This place is built upon the solid foundation of your values, special skills, and unique gifts. Today, we'll tap into your imagination faculties to start creating whatever your heart desires. You'll discover how to separate yourself from the "mind-stuff" that keeps you blocked from achieving your dreams.

How To Get What You Really Want

This lesson is about goal setting. Many people have goals but aren't able to manifest them. There's a good reason for that, and today you'll learn what you need to do achieve your goals and them into realities. You deserve to be happy in all areas of your life, and this lesson is the next step in getting there!

Key #5: Enjoy the Journey

In this lesson, we'll explore some tools and strategies you can use to help overcome your fears. Although being fearful is natural, it can also be debilitating. Fear causes many people to live lives they wish they weren't living. By the time, you finish this lesson, you'll understand how to keep fear from preventing you from designing your life to be everything you want it to be.

Build A Community That Supports Your Well-Being

Each of us longs for a heartfelt kind of connection that gives us a sense of belonging—a desire to be seen and heard by others, to know that we matter, to know that someone is on our side, and to feel a connection that touches the heart and makes us feel grateful for someone's presence. In this lesson, we'll focus on the idea that the people you spend time with need to support your well-being.

Life 101 - Suggestions for a Happier Life

"Lighten up!" That's what this lesson is all about. We're all becoming too serious. When was the last time you had a really good laugh? When was the last time you laughed at yourself? Today, we'll discuss the importance of humor. We'll go over the steps to reducing the frustrations that develop from too much stress. We'll talk about the value of meditation, time management, and how to create your own health team.

We're All Self-Employed

In today's lesson, we'll talk about the key to working happily. It's also the key to becoming a more valued employee. An important concept to accept is that we're all really self-employed—we're all responsible for our own personal development. This lesson will guide you toward achieving new skills that will help you rise above the pack.

When Change is Inevitable

Sometimes you need to find a new job in order to be happy. If this is your situation, there are some things you can do to make the process more effective and increase the possibility you'll find the work you want. Once you've completed the exercises in this class and you've spent some time reflecting about what you really want from your work, you're ready to take a proactive approach to finding the ideal job. This lesson will assist you in this process.

Your New Life

By taking this course, you'll be setting in motion a new way of living. You'll start to notice that the quality of your life improves dramatically as you spend your time and energy on what really matters to you. Your confidence will increase, peace of mind will take over, and you'll feel empowered to live life on your own terms. This lesson will inspire you to get started now and live the life you were meant to be living!

There are 12 units of study

Basic Project Management Tools

In our first lesson, you'll learn how to use a variety of project management data collection tools including check sheets, histograms, performance charts, and process definition tools such as work breakdown structure (WBS) and flowcharts. After you master these tools, you'll be able to increase your project management effectiveness by leaps and bounds.

Estimating

Estimating is a very important activity for every organization. It helps you calculate time and costs for your project. When you successfully use estimates, your actual cost of project work is very close to your projections. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative estimating methods, such as historical analogy, the walk through and Delphi methods, expected value, and estimates under uncertainty.

Earned Value

Earned value is gaining in popularity in project management circles. Although some people view it as a new concept, they're often surprised to learn that it's been around for more than 30 years. In today's lesson, I'll define earned value, describe its history, and discuss its benefits. You'll learn about the graphical and mathematical overview of earned value, and discover how to create a step-by-step earned value performance measurement (EVPM) system.

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts, along with work breakdown structure (WBS), earned value performance measurement (EVPM), and the precedence diagram method (PDM), make up the big four of project management. A Gantt chart may be the most popular tool associated with project management because it's an easy to follow timeline chart. In today's lesson, you'll learn about the history of Gantt charts, find out how to create one, and discover their benefits and limitations.

Precedence Diagram Method

Network scheduling, along with earned value, represents one of the most technical aspects of project management. If you enjoy working with charts and numbers, this lesson is right up your alley! As with earned value, the precedence diagram method (PDM) includes a fair amount of terminology and a little bit of tricky math. Today you'll learn the basics of networks and see how they relate to project management. You'll discover activity-on-arc (AOA) and activity-on-node (AON) network scheduling methods and understand how to use task dependencies, dummy activities, and float time.

Project Planning and Control Tools

In today's lesson, we'll take a break from using calculators and studying elaborate models. You'll learn how resource planning, work flow diagrams, and storyboards can help you create and implement an effective project plan. I'll also show you how to define and implement a project change control system and to how control project costs.

Data Analysis Tools

Today, we'll discuss a few more tools to help you with your projects. We'll begin with cost-volume analysis, a tool to help you optimize choices using costs, volume, and desired profits. We'll move on to Monte Carlo simulation, a sophisticated tool you can use when you deal with completely random conditions. You'll learn how to use force field analysis, a tool that helps you evaluate a decision based on pros and cons, and apply the Pareto principle, a 200-year-old concept that helps you to focus on what's important.

Project Management Software

I believe that too many people in the project management field place too high of an emphasis on the role of project management software. While it has an important role to play as a tool, software is not a substitute for sound planning, effective implementation and control, and positive leadership. In today's lesson, I'll discuss the nature of project management software and help you identify winning techniques and processes. You'll read two case studies to help you understand issues pertaining to software implementation. You'll learn why some people are reluctant to use project management software, and discover ways to evaluate and select a software supplier.

Statistics and Process Improvement

Many project managers and team members struggle to improve their projects' output. Despite their best efforts to improve customer satisfaction, project personnel are often unable to make much progress. The best way to succeed is to use statistics and a data-driven approach to characterize and improve your projects. Today, you'll learn about the measures of location (median, mode, and mean), the normal curve, and measures of dispersion (range, mean absolute deviation, variance, and standard deviation). You'll see how the Taguchi loss function is an alternative to traditional go/no-go inspection. You'll also learn how to measure variation, use prevention, and apply statistical process control (SPC) to help you produce predictable and acceptable results.

Dimensions of the Project Team

Today, we'll discuss the dimensions of the project team. For your project to succeed, you need a skilled project manager and committed capable project team members. You'll learn how to identify essential competencies of an effective project manager, and how to establish a winning project team. You'll understand what it takes to recruit, evaluate, and select project team members. And you'll also learn about the concepts of a core team, extended team, and the overly important project team.

The Project Team in Action

I believe a potent combination of a high-functioning project team and a capable project manager is essential for your success in project management. Effective project teams come together through careful planning and action. In today's lesson, we'll discuss work group theory, contrast formal and informal work groups, and identify informal work group characteristics. You'll learn about the stages of team development, understand why change is so important for your project, and find out why people are reluctant to change. You'll learn how to overcome resistance to change and empower your project team.

Organization and Motivation

Today, we'll discuss fundamental organizational concepts. You'll discover the purpose of an organization chart and learn why a matrix organization is a common project management organizational structure. You'll understand key coordinating princi