Interior Decorating

Our Program

Humber's Interior Decorating diploma program combines essential creative and practical elements with insights on current interior decorating trends.

Take your artistic flair and learn how to work with space that is both stylish and sensible. Learn how to create space for residences and workplaces as an interior decorator. Use your specialized knowledge, your tool kit of skills, your imagination and creative ability to design the spaces where people live, work and play.

Learn from industry experts with courses in design studio, residential finishes, computer drafting, sketching interiors and digital communications. Explore how material finishes, textiles, objets d'art and visual elements work as the essential elements that evolve into beautiful, yet workable spaces expertly designed for living.

Complement your creative and technical expertise with essential business training in how you might run your own enterprise and manage your own projects. Hone your understanding of products and material specifications. Learn how to present design ideas and how to communicate effectively with clients. Round out your interior decorating education with instruction in mechanical, electrical and plumbing services and building methods. If you choose you can put your learning into a professional context and build industry experience and contacts through a work placement.

"I was blown away by how intensive this program is. The instructors are thorough and knowledgeable. We hone and practice many skills so that we are prepared to enter the workforce."
Maeve, student

Your Career

Unleash your creative streak and pursue your passion for great spaces that are stylish and sensible with Humber's Interior Decorating diploma program.

Interior decorators who work with clients consult based on a framework beginning with the selection of colour schemes, optional space layouts, potential lighting, furniture, floor coverings, paint, wallpaper, hardware products and much more. They provide conceptual sketches, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) generated working drawings and other design-related essentials to their clients including product specification, as well as cost estimates for client approval. Decorators also have other work-related avenues to explore, including window display, event planning, home staging and much more.

Graduates work with:

developers; new model home décor centres and showrooms
window display firms
event planning firms
retail and wholesale showrooms and sales environments
kitchen and bath design centres
residential staging firms
media to include television/set design
media to include magazines, blogs, tweets and other social media
interior decorating firms.

Work Placement

Interior Decorating features an optional decorating field experience of a minimum of 240 hours, following semester two. Students who enrol in January can complete some of the field experience during the summer break and have the option of completing the 240 hours in tandem with classes. Regardless of when students choose to opt into their field experience, they must complete a career management workshop. Humber assists students as they arrange their field experience, including working with business, industry and government to identify work placement opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U). If English is not your first language, refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy
Three Grade 11 or Grade 12C, U or M courses in addition to those listed above
Applicants who do not possess the required courses may complete admission testing to determine equivalencies. Invitation and booking of admission testing is done using the email address provided on the online application
Secondary school studies in drawing and drafting are recommended. The ability to draw is an essential skill. Students should have drawing and sketching training prior to entering the course
Proficiency with word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheet applications is required. Students who lack the requisite computer skills will be required to take a computer course at their own expense. Students must have acquired these computer skills before the beginning of second semester

Note: For more information, refer to Selection Procedures.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Fees / Scholarships

The 2013/2014 fee for two semesters is

domestic $3,760.08
international $12,950.

Amounts listed are the total of tuition, lab and material fees, student service and auxiliary fees for the first two semesters of the 2013/2014 academic year. Fees are subject to change. For more information, refer to Fees and Financial Assistance.

Additional Costs

$1,500 per semester for books and supplies. Note that specialty equipment including rulers, drafting equipment, cutting and other tools (a one-time purchase) are required. Extra fees apply for optional field experience.

Alternative Course of Study

Humber also offers the Bachelor of Interior Design degree program 22051.

Curriculum (View the 2012/13 Curriculum)

Semester 1

Course Code	Course Name
DEC 100	Interior Decorating Studio 1 Interior Decorating Studio 1 Course Code: DEC 100 This is a studio lecture course in which students will learn, develop and apply decorating and design knowledge. Students will explore and acquire both practical and abstract skills for space planning, spatial perception as well as design terminology. These skills will be incorporated, reinforced and assessed in projects, assignments, lectures and workshops.
DEC 101	Colour Theory and Application Colour Theory and Application Course Code: DEC 101 This course will introduce students to fundamental colour theories and practical uses of colour within a workshop and lecture environment. The psychology and perception of colour within interior environments as well as responses to visual imagery will be explored through hands on projects, analysis and discussions. This course will include an introduction to colour schemes used within both traditional and contemporary spaces.
DEC 102	Design Fundamentals Design Fundamentals Course Code: DEC 102 This course explores two fundamental topics that are the essential ground work needed in order to understand the mechanics of how creative thinkers accommodate the human within designed spaces. Students will learn the verbal, as well as the visual languages that comprise the principles and elements of design. In-class discovery sessions will unravel the complexities of harmony, rhythm, line and volume to name only a few of riveting topics covered. Additionally, students will explore the complex concepts that make up critical human factors within the designed human environment. This will be accomplished through lectures, worksheets and projects. Design Fundamentals will afford students the opportunity to demonstrate their growing knowledge through assessment, research and discussion.
DEC 103	Sketching Interiors Sketching Interiors Course Code: DEC 103 This is an introduction course to sketching and drawing for interiors while exploring a variety of mediums. Using freehand drawing and sketching techniques students will develop observational skills and demonstrate an understanding of proportion for linear and atmospheric perspectives. Rendering skills will be developed as an integral part of design communication.
DEC 104	Drafting Interiors Drafting Interiors Course Code: DEC 104 This is an introduction course to manual drafting for interior spaces. Lectures, demonstrations and assigned projects will allow students to communicate standard architectural conventions. The basic knowledge of scale, isometrics, interior plans, elevations, reflected ceiling and sections will be explored for residential construction.
WRIT 120	Technical Reading and Writing Skills Technical Reading and Writing Skills Course Code: WRIT 120 This course is designed to develop the writing skills that will be required for clear communication in technical documents. Students will learn to write documents that are clear, accurate, and grammatically correct. Students will practice reading and writing skills that will be valuable in their college programs and build a strong base for professional technical and business writing. Those students who plan to further their studies will develop the fundamental skills for writing acceptable academic English. To help students reach these goals, the course covers the following: analytical reading and critical thinking; summarizing and paraphrasing; strategies for organizing and developing various technical documents; and the elements of clear writing, including grammar and punctuation skills.

Semester 2

Course Code	Course Name
DEC 150	Interior Decorating Studio 2 Interior Decorating Studio 2 Course Code: DEC 150 This is a studio lecture course in which students will further learn, develop and apply decorating and design knowledge focusing on kitchens and bathrooms incorporating sociological aspects, technological and economic factors within these spaces. Students will explore both practical and abstract skills for space planning, circulation, materials, styling and details as well as design terminology.
DEC 151	History of Furniture History of Furniture Course Code: DEC 151 This course is a study of the history of furniture, architecture and art focusing on the eras from the Western world from Egyptian forward. Lectures and applied projects discuss a variety of historically important architecture, artifacts and interiors from design periods that continue to influence decor today. The influence of these examples becomes an historic foundation that decoration students utilize and build on for design inspiration.
DEC 152	Residential Finishes Residential Finishes Course Code: DEC 152 Residential Finishes is a course that exposes students to the vast array of materials and finishes for residential use. Through lectures, group activities and individual research students will explore the composition and application of both hard and soft material finishes, upholstery and mathematical formulas for window treatments and wall coverings.
DEC 155	Computer Drafting 1 Computer Drafting 1 Course Code: DEC 155 This drafting course focuses on basic computer aided drafting skills using the latest release of AutoCAD software. Students will be introduced to the digital and technical languages for basic residential construction drawings. Additionally this course will align with the concurrent studio course focusing on bathrooms, kitchens and closet design.
GNED 101	An Introduction to Arts and Science An Introduction to Arts and Science Course Code: GNED 101 The humanities course focuses on fundamental questions individuals ask of themselves as they proceed through life. Why are we the way we are? Do we have free will or are we prisoners of our past experience or our biological inheritance? What motivates societies to change? Why do societal changes so often divide people into opposing camps? Why do so many people find contemporary life at home, at work, and in the community unfulfilling? What constitutes good government? How should injustice be fought? Can nations successfully deal with global problems? What is science and how does it differ from other kinds of inquiry? Can scientists provide solutions to the problems we face? What is art and does it offer answers of its own? What is its relationship to beauty, to knowledge, and to ethics? Is objectivity about art (or anything) possible? These questions are organized into units that begin with issues concerning the nature of the individual and then extend outward to various social, cultural and physical contexts. The issues explored in this course are too complex to have any one right answer. Rather, individuals must search for answers that make sense of their experiences via various theoretical perspectives. The humanities course supports this endeavour through study of different thinkers presented in the readings and exploration of different points of view explored in class discussions.
WRIT 220	Technical Workplace Writing Skills Technical Workplace Writing Skills Course Code: WRIT 220 This course is designed to reinforce and expand on the skills students learned in Technical Communications 1. In Technical Communications 2, students will learn to design and write informal reports and a variety of other technical documents, using appropriate research, language, layout, and graphics.

Semester 3

Course Code	Course Name
DEC 200	Interior Decorating Studio 3 Interior Decorating Studio 3 Course Code: DEC 200 This lecture and studio course focuses on client based design for today's environment. Projects vary in scale, complexity and type to include print media, model homes and social spaces that encompass universal design and applicable building code. Students will investigate research, discuss and explore creative ideas both individually or in groups. Additionally, projects will be produced by means of electronic and hand sketching mediums. Projects will be based upon in studio work, oral communication and the dissemination of ideas into professional presentation format. Note: Students will be required to participate in an extended group off site trips at the student's own expense during this term.
DEC 201	Interior Systems Interior Systems Course Code: DEC 201 This lecture and studio course studies the social history of the home through hands-on learning and application. Students will explore their own personal style and creative expression through sketching, hand rendering, and design drawing techniques for interior spaces; employing mixed media in the exploration and identification of interior styles and perspectives Students will explore the ecological usage and acquire knowledge of specific materials used in the manufacturing of goods for the design market including their cost implications. Students will produce three-dimensional items using a variety of materials exhibiting design style using principals and elements.
DEC 205	Computer Drafting 2 Computer Drafting 2 Course Code: DEC 205 This computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) course is the second in the series that builds on knowledge of AutoCAD drafting. This course focuses on the students' ability to produce a set of working drawings to include plans, elevations, reflected ceiling plan, details and specifications. This course will align with the concurrent studio course.
DEC 206	Digital Communications 1 Digital Communications 1 Course Code: DEC 206 This course is the first course in a series of two applied learning courses and will introduce students to the knowledge and skills needed for the purposeful implementation of professional design communication in the industry. Digital Communications 1 incorporates computer technology perspectives, digital rendering methods blended with manual techniques for both two and three-dimensional applications. Professional presentation imagery will be obtained through the latest computer technology programs as well as hand media leading to a synchronized development of personal style. Projects in this course will support DEC 200 and be evaluated in terms of graphic competency and professional communication industry standards. The course will be delivered in the form of lectures, critiques and laboratories. Topics such as layout, typography, booklet creation and digital material boards will be discussed in relation to the applicable software.
GNED	General Education Elective General Education Elective Course Code: GNED The following courses represent the GNED General Education electives that you can choose from as part of your program's curriculum. Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences GNED 101 An Introduction to Arts and Sciences Anthropology ANTH 202 Physical Anthropology ANTH 205 Cultural Anthropology Arts ARTS 138 Understanding Movies: An Introduction to Film Studies ARTS 229 Musical Pioneers ARTS 241 Exploring Music and Film ARTS 246 Art and Artists - Money, Madness and Masterpieces Cultural Studies CULT 211 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking CULT 214 AlterNative Pathways: Aboriginal People in Canada CULT 217 Encounter with Latin America CULT 228 Pop Culture: Shaping How We Live CULT 236 China: The Next Superpower CULT 239 Digital Culture CULT 242 Culture, Technology and Identity CULT 243 Crossing Borders: Migration and Culture CULT 244 Gender, Race and Ethnicity CULT 245 The Body: Beauty, Sex and Consumerism CULT 248 Women and Popular Culture Economics ECON 110 Real Life Economics ECON 204 People, Money and Markets ECON 206 The History of Money English ENGE 110 Literature: An Introduction ENGL 239 Dark Days Ahead ENGL 242 Pulp Fiction ENGL 246 Contemporary Fiction ENGL 247 Life Stories ENGL 248 Voices from the Underground Geography GEOG 210 The Nature of Ontario GEOG 212 Political Geography History HIST 110 Canada: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly HIST 203 Monsters of the 20th Century HIST 217 History of War HIST 218 The Making of the Modern World HIST 222 The Age of Europe: From the Enlightenment to 1989 Humanities HUMA 137 Art Matters: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art HUMA 226 The Arts and the 21st Century Imagination: Longing for Paradise HUMA 235 World Religions HUMA 241 Risky Business: Living in a Dangerous World HUMA 242 Vampires: In Film and Literature HUMA 244 Ordinary Heroes: Extraordinary Lives! HUMA 250 God, Science and Religion Languages SPAN 110 Introductory Spanish 1 Philosophy PHIL 100 Ideas: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 110 The Love of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 217 Ethical Issues PHIL 225 Philosophy of Love and Sex PHIL 227 Business Ethics PHIL 228 Success: Philosophical Perspectives PHIL 229 Violence, Order and Justice: An Introduction to Political Philosophy PHIL 230 Environmental Ethics Political Science POLS 110 Introduction to Politics POLS 204 Morality, Democracy and Politics POLS 219 Globalization POLS 223 War and Terrorism POLS 224 Justice, Equality and Rights POLS 225 Environmental Policy and Economics Psychology PSYC 110 Psychology - An Introduction PSYC 205 Applied Psychology and Leadership PSYC 207 Psychology of Sport PSYC 210 Psychology - Developmental PSYC 220 Psychology - Social PSYC 230 Psychology - Abnormal Science SCIE 110 The Science of Everything SCIE 208 Water: A Life or Death Issue SCIE 213 Astronomy: The Evolving Universe SCIE 216 Origins of Life SCIE 219 Dangerous Earth SCIE 221 The Environment SCIE 223 Astrobiology: Life in the Universe SCIE 224 Discovering Dinosaurs Sociology SOCE 100 Canadian Society and Culture SOCI 110 Sociology: Introduction SOCI 205 Social Entrepreneurship: Profit, People and the Planet SOCI 219 Sport and Society SOCI 232 Gender, Power and Society SOCI 233 Sociology of Cultural Difference SOCI 234 Society and Conflict SOCI 236 Issues in Crime SOCI 237 Sociology of Fashion SOCI 238 Sociology of Food SOCI 239 Citizenship, Immigration, and Democracy SOCI 240 Sociology of the Family SOCI 246 Sociology of Emotions SOCI 247 Leadership SOCI 249 Imagining the City SOCI 257 Canada Today SOCI 277 Sexual Diversity: Contemporary Social Issues

Semester 4

Course Code	Course Name
DEC 250	Interior Decorating Studio 4 Interior Decorating Studio 4 Course Code: DEC 250 This lecture and studio course will focus on a complex residential project incorporating the design and decorating skills acquired throughout the program. The students will develop design drawings for both interior and exterior elements. This term culminates in a formal presentation of work and criteria as related to an actual client.
DEC 251	Professional Business Professional Business Course Code: DEC 251 This business course explores the relationship between the client, contractor and consultant, through lectures and assignments. This course includes professional responsibilities, guidelines currently used by interior decorating professionals. Students will discuss the financial aspects of the interior decorating businesses to include budgets, estimates and basic contractual agreements. Additionally learning will include social networking and portfolio development as related to self-promotion.
DEC 252	Interior Styles Interior Styles Course Code: DEC 252 This course will provide students with an introduction to a building's mechanical electrical and lighting systems. It will acquaint them with industry terminology and an understanding of the design opportunities and limitations related to these systems. Class assignments will enable the students to recognize sources, their appropriate use and effects on building energy costs.
DEC 256	Digital Communications 2 Digital Communications 2 Course Code: DEC 256 This course further develops the students experience in digital communications using the latest technology and techniques. Aligned with the studio course the students will culminate their presentation skills in both design and graphic communication to conclude with a complete portfolio of work.
GNED	General Education Elective General Education Elective Course Code: GNED The following courses represent the GNED General Education electives that you can choose from as part of your program's curriculum. Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences GNED 101 An Introduction to Arts and Sciences Anthropology ANTH 202 Physical Anthropology ANTH 205 Cultural Anthropology Arts ARTS 138 Understanding Movies: An Introduction to Film Studies ARTS 229 Musical Pioneers ARTS 241 Exploring Music and Film ARTS 246 Art and Artists - Money, Madness and Masterpieces Cultural Studies CULT 211 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking CULT 214 AlterNative Pathways: Aboriginal People in Canada CULT 217 Encounter with Latin America CULT 228 Pop Culture: Shaping How We Live CULT 236 China: The Next Superpower CULT 239 Digital Culture CULT 242 Culture, Technology and Identity CULT 243 Crossing Borders: Migration and Culture CULT 244 Gender, Race and Ethnicity CULT 245 The Body: Beauty, Sex and Consumerism CULT 248 Women and Popular Culture Economics ECON 110 Real Life Economics ECON 204 People, Money and Markets ECON 206 The History of Money English ENGE 110 Literature: An Introduction ENGL 239 Dark Days Ahead ENGL 242 Pulp Fiction ENGL 246 Contemporary Fiction ENGL 247 Life Stories ENGL 248 Voices from the Underground Geography GEOG 210 The Nature of Ontario GEOG 212 Political Geography History HIST 110 Canada: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly HIST 203 Monsters of the 20th Century HIST 217 History of War HIST 218 The Making of the Modern World HIST 222 The Age of Europe: From the Enlightenment to 1989 Humanities HUMA 137 Art Matters: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art HUMA 226 The Arts and the 21st Century Imagination: Longing for Paradise HUMA 235 World Religions HUMA 241 Risky Business: Living in a Dangerous World HUMA 242 Vampires: In Film and Literature HUMA 244 Ordinary Heroes: Extraordinary Lives! HUMA 250 God, Science and Religion Languages SPAN 110 Introductory Spanish 1 Philosophy PHIL 100 Ideas: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 110 The Love of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 217 Ethical Issues PHIL 225 Philosophy of Love and Sex PHIL 227 Business Ethics PHIL 228 Success: Philosophical Perspectives PHIL 229 Violence, Order and Justice: An Introduction to Political Philosophy PHIL 230 Environmental Ethics Political Science POLS 110 Introduction to Politics POLS 204 Morality, Democracy and Politics POLS 219 Globalization POLS 223 War and Terrorism POLS 224 Justice, Equality and Rights POLS 225 Environmental Policy and Economics Psychology PSYC 110 Psychology - An Introduction PSYC 205 Applied Psychology and Leadership PSYC 207 Psychology of Sport PSYC 210 Psychology - Developmental PSYC 220 Psychology - Social PSYC 230 Psychology - Abnormal Science SCIE 110 The Science of Everything SCIE 208 Water: A Life or Death Issue SCIE 213 Astronomy: The Evolving Universe SCIE 216 Origins of Life SCIE 219 Dangerous Earth SCIE 221 The Environment SCIE 223 Astrobiology: Life in the Universe SCIE 224 Discovering Dinosaurs Sociology SOCE 100 Canadian Society and Culture SOCI 110 Sociology: Introduction SOCI 205 Social Entrepreneurship: Profit, People and the Planet SOCI 219 Sport and Society SOCI 232 Gender, Power and Society SOCI 233 Sociology of Cultural Difference SOCI 234 Society and Conflict SOCI 236 Issues in Crime SOCI 237 Sociology of Fashion SOCI 238 Sociology of Food SOCI 239 Citizenship, Immigration, and Democracy SOCI 240 Sociology of the Family SOCI 246 Sociology of Emotions SOCI 247 Leadership SOCI 249 Imagining the City SOCI 257 Canada Today SOCI 277 Sexual Diversity: Contemporary Social Issues

Diploma to Degree

Humber offers pathways from Ontario college diplomas to Humber degrees. Find out where your diploma can take you.

You can also choose another postsecondary institution. Humber has formal articulation agreements indicating the specific transfer arrangements from a Humber program to a particular degree program, as well as general policies on admissions at specific institutions. Click here to find out more.

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