C5431 - Diploma of Interior Design

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Plan: C5431 - Diploma of Interior Design
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Diploma of Interior Design
Qualification national code: MSF50222
Nominal hours: 1623
Career: TAFE
Duration: 2 years
Location: City Campus
Owning school: Creative Industries (515T)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/college-of-vocational-education
Partnered offering / Corporate client: N/A
CRICOS code: 111975K

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Purpose of the Program

This qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to provide a full range of design and decoration services, consultation and design advice, including:

  • researching and analysing the client's goals and requirements
  • planning, arranging and styling the space, and preparing detailed client presentations
  • selecting and specifying colour schemes, furniture, fabrics and fixtures, including layouts and detailed specifications
  • preparing design documentation for specialty floor coverings, fabrics and wall finishes
  • working with builders, architects and service contractors to advise on changes to the interior structure
  • producing documentation for shop fitters, cabinet makers, furniture suppliers and materials suppliers
  • preparing documentation for the spatial layout, volumn, joinery locations, power and communications locations, reflected ceiling plans and lighting designs that reflect an understanding of basic building protocols
  • providing contract documentation for the pricing, procurement and installation of materials and furniture
  • organising the purchasing of materials, accessories, artwork and furnishings
    contracting and supervision of the trades people required to implement a project.

Employment outcomes include:

  • assisting designers in commercial design offices large or small 

  • management roles in decoration departments & studios 

  • decoration consultancies in small boutique companies specialising in complete soft furnishings and residential fit outs

  • freelance interior design career 

  • interior textile wholesale showrooms

  • retail consultancies in furnishings, lighting, or furniture

  • colour consultancies, either for large paint companies  

  • Self-employment

Interior design is an exciting and challenging career that responds to and sets new trends for both domestic and commercial environments. A current global awareness and knowledge of design directions and latest materials is imperative, as well as an ability to conceptualize an idea through to a documented proposal for client presentation.

The continuing focus on environmental and sustainability aspects, technology applications for design and presentation of spatial layouts and fitout, plus an appreciation of art and the decorative arts from both an historical and contemporary perspective, means the designer decorator explores spatial solutions with a well prepared and considered eye.

This is a diverse area in which to work with roles varying from retail and colour consulting through to Interior Design department management within an architectural or design office.

Good communication skills, both visual and verbal, are necessary to ensure the designer and or decorator can promote their ideas successfully.

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Articulation and pathways

Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Design guarantees entry into this program. 

Successful completion of some common units of the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration can be credited in the Diploma. 

Successful completion of this program guarantees entry into the Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1 year full-time study).

Successful completion of this program guarantees entry into the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) with 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1 year full-time study). The remaining duration in the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) is 3 years for the February intake and 3.5 years for the July intake.

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.

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Entrance requirements

There are no minimum academic entry requirements. 

Domestic Applicants  

RMIT Entry Requirements 

All applicants must submit the selection task:  

Applicant statement:  An applicant statement outlining why student wants to study Interior Design (maximum 300 words). 

Folio: A digital folio of 6 projects. Include the finished piece as well as the process work per project. 
A project could be sketching / painting / drawing / photography / graphic design / sculpture or 3D form. At least one project must be computer-generated, displaying digital skills. 

The projects do not need to have an Interior Design focus but display visual creativity. 

For each piece of work, include a short statement describing the project and the outcome (100 words per work). 

 

International Applicants

This program is registered for CRICOS (111975K).   

Applicants must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) AND must complete one of the following English proficiency tests: 

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0) 
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing) 
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36) 
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component. 

For more information, please visit English requirements web page.

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External accreditation and industry links

The Diploma of Interior Design maintains industry links in a variety of ways.

The program maintains close links with the DIA (Design Institute of Australia) - as students in this program, you will have the opportunity to join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as student members while studying, and as an associate member upon graduation. The DIA has a specific category for interior decorators and offers associate members professional recognition and information on all areas of decoration and design through seminars and forums. Please note that successful completion of this qualification is not dependent upon membership of the DIA.

Our teachers bring to the program extensive industry experience and contact networks, and many are practising professionals. Their experience, when integrated into teaching and learning practice, enriches your learning environment. 

The program is furthermore supported and advised by a Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which is made up of high profile Industry representatives, from a wide diversity of areas within the industry of interior decoration and design, and the members are further encouraged and invited to be involved in graduate exhibitions, moderation and competitions.  The committee's brief is to ensure that the program remains current and relevant. The makeup of the IAC is reviewed regularly. 

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Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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Library, IT and specialist resources

Library Services

As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. You can access books, journals and other course related materials, such as DVDs, past exams, newspapers and e-books. Through our document delivery service you can also request items from any library in the world.

Computers for study are available at every Library site, where you can access the Internet, your student portal https://www.rmit.edu.au/students or Library e-resources. If you have a laptop you can access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.

Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments or you can work through web-based tutorials or use our online Ask a Librarian service.

The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it. All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic resources such as, e-books, e-journals and newspapers.

You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

Online Learning

You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses via your student portal https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

CAD Labs and associated software are available

Specialist Resources

  • Fabric Samples, Window Treatment & Hardware Samples, Colour and - Finishes Samples are all supplied by industry on an ongoing basis
  • Dedicated Studios for Drafting & Drawing with specialised drawing desks
  • Specialised Colour Workshop / Studio with storage of sampling and wet facilities
  • Specialised drawing, drafting, colour and general folio equipment
  • Lecture Theatres for large groups and for visiting guest lectures

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University
RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.

Services are available face to face and online assisting with:

  • transition to tertiary study and learning
  • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences
    if relevant
  • enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form
    of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
  • career development and employment
  • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
  • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
  • opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well
    as student activism and university governance

We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students

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