Interior Decorating

The two-year Interior Decorating Ontario College Diploma program develops your creativity and artistic flair in residential and small scale commercial interiors. Recognized by the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), this program prepares you with the essential design and client relations skills needed to succeed as an Interior Decorator.

Develop your creativity through hands-on projects using modern digital techniques as well as traditional skills. Create appealing atmospheres, discover current trends, choose effective colour palettes, understand complex kitchen and bath design, and manipulate elements such as furnishings, finishes and lighting. Work with individuals and/or businesses to improve residential and commercial spaces to enhance the users’ experience.

The program provides an opportunity for you expand your real-world experience through competition and real community projects. Moreover, you are able to gain valuable industry experience and contacts as well as apply your skills during your field placement during your final semester.

What You’ll Learn

• Analyze the client’s needs and goals to create a decorating solution.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the completed decorating project based on the specific requirements of the client.
• Communicate using a variety of formats (such as verbal, written, visual, and digital) to describe the decorating concept to the client and contractors.
• Assess and select materials and finishes to be used in the decorating project, to meet the needs of the client.
• Prepare technical documents as necessary for the implementation of the final decorating solution.
• Collaborate with a variety of design and decorating professionals and other industry specialists for the implementation of the decorating solution.
• Employ customer relationship management practices to maintain a positive reputation as an interior decorator that will encourage repeat business or referrals.
• Employ project management to manage the time, resources and costs required to implement the decorating solution to meet the needs of the client.
• Adhere to industry standard codes, regulations and by-laws when creating a decorating solution.
• Employ environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the selection of materials and products used in the decorating solution.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.