Interior Decorating

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Courses - January 2026

Level 1

Course details

Colour Theory
ARTS1185

Description:

Through lecture and studio experience, students are introduced to the complexities of colour and its application within interior environments.. Physical, chemical and psychological aspects of colour will be explored through a variety of applied studio projects . Current colour trends are discussed as they relate to selecting materials and product for residential decorating.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Interior Materials and Finishes I
ARTS1870

Description:

This applied, lecture-based course introduces the fundamental materials and finishes commonly specified in interior decorating, exploring the many considerations each selection must address. Students work on assignment briefs that focus on the practical application of the course material, including exploration, sample selection, and professional specifications. This course introduces concepts of sustainable material use and the impact materials and finishes have on human and environmental health.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Digital Applications - Interior Decorating
COMP1074

Description:

This practical and creative computer lab course develops practical computer skills to an intermediate level. Students are introduced to industry-specific software as a tool for creative communication and expression. Students learn to navigate through the software with confidence, creating project-based assignments in a variety of different applications and outputs.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Design Fundamentals
DSGN1275

Description:

Through lecture and studio experience, this course introduces foundational topics related to design and decorating. Topics explored include the design process, elements and principles of design, design styles, and spatial perception. Students will focus on incorporating design terminology in visual, oral and written communication. This course integrates theory and skills from other courses through practical applications directly related to interior spaces.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 2

Course details

Space Planning and Drafting
ARTS1205

Description:

The course introduces basic drafting and drawing skills as communication tools required to complete working drawings for residential interiors. With a focus on detail and accuracy, the course teaches the basics of hand-drafting; lettering, line weights and symbols in creating interior floor plans, elevations and three-dimensional modeling. Conceptualizing and designing with scale and proportion is reinforced throughout the course.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Illustrative Techniques
ARTS1210

Description:

This practical course engages students in techniques associated with manual illustration, by developing skills in drawing, rendering, drafting and perspectives. Assignments allow students to develop as illustrators to communicate and visually represent 2D and 3D design solutions.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Fabrics and Textiles
ARTS1220

Description:

This course explores the world of fabric and textiles including fibres, production, sourcing and applications. Students learn fabric performance characteristics and the appropriate application of fabrics for residential environments. The design of window treatments and soft furnishing for custom fabrication is developed through applied studio activities and projects.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Interior Materials and Finishes II
ARTS1235

Description:

This applied lecture-based course introduces advanced materials and finishes used in residential design, and builds upon previous knowledge to further execute the complete specification process. Industry guidelines and standards, communication and budgeting are introduced and assessed through client- and style-based design solutions, integrating projects across supported courses. This course furthers the study of material and finish lifecycle and impacts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: ARTS1870
CoRequisites:

History of Design and Decorating
HIST1015

Description:

This course traces the evolution of design and interiors in western civilizations, focusing on the evolution of art, architecture, motifs, and furniture. Manufacturing methods, material availability, geographic and geopolitical conditions will be deconstructed to understand historical context . Influential artist, decorators and designers will be discussed, while also exploring contemporary designers and their approach to interiors.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Staging and Composition
PHOT1330

Description:

This course explores how to style and photograph for digital communication such as social media marketing and digital portfolio presentations. Students acquire skills used to stage and style interiors and vignettes to be effectively photographed. Using industry software, students explore the basic groundwork for digital image capture and digital manipulation.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Computer Aided Drafting and Design I
COMP2060

Description:

This course introduces computer-aided drafting and design software for interior decorating applications. Students use digital tools to create floor plans, elevations, schedules and annotations and become familiar with associated technical language. This course is strongly aligned with the studio course (DSGN2140) as it relates to residential kitchen and bath design using interior drawing set standards.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Studio I - Interior Decorating
DSGN2140

Description:

This immersive course integrates theory and applied concepts and skills, culminating in complete interior decorating projects, and is intended to function as a working studio. Students learn space planning guidelines for all residential interior spaces, applying them to client-specific needs, furthering client profile development. Kitchen and bath design, including custom millwork design, are introduced and applied in project briefs. This studio class reinforces the knowledge of colour theory, textiles and materials and finish selection, drafting and visual communication, while applying knowledge gained simultaneously in concurrent courses.

Hours: 84
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Introduction to Sustainable Design
DSGN2350

Description:

This course will explore the importance of creating environmentally responsible and healthy, yet also beautiful, residential interiors. Areas of focus include the importance of product life-cycle assessment, a ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach to product selection, and recognizing the health impacts for both humans and the environment. Current green construction guidelines and organizations will be discussed, including an overview of current green building rating systems, as well as eco-labeling. Upon course completion students will be able to identify and implement practical environmentally responsible building design, renovation and décor solutions.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Residential Construction and Design
MECH2045

Description: This lecture and lab course provides students with an introduction to the basics of home construction, including plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. Phases of new home construction and renovations, and interior system implementations, are explored. This course builds a working knowledge of the rules and regulations associated with building codes, and expands the application of methodologies to incorporate sustainable alternatives.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Lighting-Methods and Fixtures
MECH2390

Description: This course introduces students to current lighting technologies and products, terminology, performance and sourcing. Students create reflected ceiling plans, following building codes and meeting functional requirements of a space. Functional and aesthetic design with a variety of luminaires is a focus of this course.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 4

Course details

Computer Aided Drafting and Design II
COMP2095

Description: As an extension to COMP2060, this course allows students to build on their current knowledge of industry standard software. Students create full working drawings to communicate designs to both residential clients and industry partners . 3D drafting and visualization software is introduced to further communicate design concepts and to create a client package. Upon completion of this course students are able to create state-or-the-art designs, specifications, and 3D visualization capabilities for residential design markets.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: COMP2060
CoRequisites:

Studio II Interior Decorating
DSGN2150

Description:

This course combines lecture and lab components that integrate and apply elements from across all aspects of the program deliveries, culminating in the Capstone project. This course provides the opportunity for application beyond the theoretical and conceptual stages with the Capstone project, a showcase assessment which brings together all of the skills and concepts gained throughout the program, including space planning all residential interior spaces, lighting, millwork and universal design with sustainable materials and finish selections, incorporating regulations and requirements of building code.

Hours: 84
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites: DSGN2140
CoRequisites:

Built Environment
DSGN2340

Description:

This course explores contemporary topics relating to the human factor: the application of psychological and physiological principles to the design of products and spaces. Through readings, analysis, and discussion, students broaden their perspective of human-centred design within built environments and further apply the theory to course assignments. This client-centred approach to spacial design and product selections informs their culminating Capstone project in Studio II.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Business and Sales Strategies
ENTR2065

Description:

This course introduces the fundamental business operations and sale strategies for success as a professional interior decorator, both from employee and business owner perspectives. The principles studied include project management, basic business finance, including cash flow and budgets, and contracts. Students develop strategies for effective selling techniques, how to prospect and qualify clients through implementing the sales cycle in scenario-based assessments. Ethical practices and considerations are emphasized.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Field Placement (Interior Decorating)
FPLT2125

Description: This course prepares students and facilitates a placement experience with a company/agency which has been approved by the program. Students will review employability skills in class and then practise these skills as they take an active role in securing a placement. Students will refine self-marketing techniques to establish cohesive branding of themselves at a professional level. Engaging in the work environment of a professionally relevant company/agency will allow students to apply their education and skills contributing to their mutual benefit. Appropriate workplace behaviour and etiquette is expected as students use this opportunity to expand their network of industry contacts and effectively market their personal brand. Through this experience, students can cultivate confidence, escalate awareness of industry practices, add to their resume & portfolio, and contribute to their own career success.

Hours: 60
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites: OHS1320 OR OHS8320
CoRequisites:

Project Management - Interior Decorating
MGMT2215

Description: This course introduces the fundamental business operations required to effectively manage decorating projects as a professional interior decorator. The principles studied include project scope, project management, scheduling, basic business finance, including cash flow and budgets, purchasing and contracts. Students will study the importance of creating and maintaining professional relationships with clients, suppliers, and trades to successfully execute a project.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Analyze 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.