Interior Design Fundamentals Certification
COURSE OVERVIEW
Turn your passion into a career with our Interior Design Fundamentals Certification. Master essential skills in color, lighting, design process, and socially responsible practices while building a portfolio through four residential projects, ending with a full home design.
Gain real-world experience and industry connections through weekly visits to showrooms, design firms, and manufacturers. By the end, you will have the skills, portfolio, and network to launch your interior design career with confidence.
Interior Design Fundamentals + Technical Skills Certification (Fast-Track)
Advance your design skills and gain professional expertise in just three months with this accelerated program. Combine our comprehensive Interior Design Fundamentals Certification with one technical course of your choice to learn an industry-standard tool such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Chief Architect, or Revit.
This program gives you the creative and technical skills to bring your design vision to life, build a standout portfolio, and position yourself for success in the interior design industry.
COURSE OUTLINE
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- Introduction to Interior Design, Elements & Principles
- Drawing Tools & Techniques
- Construction Documents
- Color Theory
- Materials Specification
- Design History & Styles
- Lighting
- Design Process
- Professional Practices
- Presentation & Critique Guidelines
- Socially Responsible/Universal/Green Design
- Design, Construction and Architectural Terminology
- Installation
- Three Single Room Portfolio Projects
- Final Project: Complete Home Remodel
This is the first course and prerequisite to our Master’s Certification Program. Heritage School of Interior Design is licensed through the Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board.
Please note: The certificates for virtual programs at Heritage are conferred by the Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board. Each state may have different requirements based on their educational regulating bodies and requirements for state licensure. If you are pursuing a virtual certification through Heritage, we highly recommend checking with the state in which you intend to work as a designer to determine if the virtual certification will be recognized by the regulating body or prospective employers in that state as there may be limitations.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
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- Laptop Computer
- Foundations of Interior Design, 4th ed. by Susan J Slotkis
- A full list of materials will be provided upon enrollment
Estimated materials cost: $350 (not including laptop)
COURSE TUITION
Interior Design Fundamentals: $7,995
Interior Design Fundamentals + Technical Skills Certification (Fast-Track): $8,499
COURSE SCHEDULE
VIRTUAL PROGRAM
FALL 2025
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Date: October 6 – February 25 (No class Nov. 24-26, Dec. 22-31)
WINTER 2026
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Date: March 16 – July 13 (No class May 25)
OR
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 3pm – 6pm PST*
Date: February 23 – July 1 (No class March 23, 25)
*Ideal for students joining from the Eastern or Central time zones!
FINAL PROJECT EXAMPLE
Portfolio 1: © Design by Elizabeth Teel
Portfolio 2: © Design by Rachel Haas
Portfolio 3: © Design by Alex Walker
Portfolio 4: © Trea Cohen Kurtzman
Portfolio 5: © Caitlin Parker
“There was not a single minute wasted during the Fundamentals program. It was practical information that I now use every day in my design business.”
Harper Rae Design Co.
