2,000 Scholarship for our Interior Design Certificate! Apply now and kickstart your creative journey.

 
 
 

Interior Design

  • Program Duration: 14 weeks x 20 Hours a week
  • Lecture: 8 hrs a week
  • Lab: 12 hrs a week
  • Lead Instructor: Nikki Renshaw, Hector Alvarez
  • Semester start: Jan, May and Sept

Price: Domestic $6,995

Installment Plans Available

International $8,450.00

Master the Art of Home Decorating and Interior Design

Turn your passion for design into a professional skillset with The Cut Design Academy’s Home Decorating Certificate. This 14-week hybrid program blends theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice, and portfolio development to prepare you for a thriving career in interior decorating. Learn to create inspiring, functional spaces while mastering tools and techniques used by industry professionals.

“The learning experience is very hands on. You have a teacher by your side whenever you have a question.”

— Ryan Kim, Interior Design Alumni

Core Curriculum Includes:

  • Introduction to Interior Decorating: Learn the fundamental elements of design, from proportion and scale to color theory and pattern. Explore the history of interior design and incorporate its influence into your creative projects.

  • Drawing + CAD: Develop manual and digital drafting skills with tools like AutoCAD and SketchUp to ensure precise and professional designs.

  • Materials, Fabrics, and Components: Master the selection of finishes, textiles, and furnishings and gain a deep understanding of lighting and architectural elements.

  • Design and Decoration Detail: Create cohesive designs tailored to specific functions, styles, and moods. Learn how to budget, work with clients and trades, and market your brand.

  • Portfolio and Professional Practices: Build a standout portfolio, hone your presentation skills, and develop marketing strategies to launch your career.

Why Choose the Home Decorating Certificate?

  • Creative Foundations: To create harmonious and functional interiors, and build a strong foundation in design principles, including color theory, proportion, and space planning.

  • Hands-On Experience: Design and implement projects from concept to completion using industry-standard tools like CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and more.

  • Professional Expertise: Develop a standout portfolio while mastering the business side of interior decorating—budgeting, client management, and effective communication.

  • Pathway to a Diploma: Transferable credits from this program can be applied toward a diploma in Interior Design at one of our partner schools, giving you a head start if you decide to pursue further education.

  • Industry Focus: Explore specialized career paths in staging, retail decorating, consultancy, and more, tailored to meet the demands of today’s competitive industry.

What You’ll Learn

  • Interior Design Principles: Understand how to transform spaces with proportion, texture, and lighting.

  • Space Planning and Furniture Selection: Develop beautiful and practical layouts.

  • Material and Textile Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of finishes, fabrics, and components to elevate any project.

  • Drawing and Rendering: Master manual and digital tools for professional-level presentations, including AutoCAD and SketchUp.

  • Portfolio Development: Develop a standout portfolio and learn how to market your brand to clients and employers.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma or mature student status (19+).

  • Admissions interview (in-person or online).

  • Letter of Intent (250 words or more).

  • English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 5.5, if applicable.

Pathway of your career

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in interior decorating, such as:

  • Home Staging Specialist

  • Retail or Hospitality Decorator

  • Film and TV Set Stylist

  • Lighting and Materials Consultant

With credits transferable to diploma programs, this certificate is a stepping stone toward advanced education and career growth.

Meet your professors

Nikki Renshaw

Nikki started her design career in her native London, UK where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Saint Martin’s school of Art. After moving to Vancouver, BC, she enrolled in BCIT where she completed the Interior Design program, and has been teaching a variety of design courses at several institutions for the past decade. Nikki has extensive experience in television, where she hosted numerous shows back in London, as well as hosting a radio show for over a decade here in Vancouver. She is an expert in marketing as she has been running her own design company for many years and has a large social media presence with over 118,000 Instagram followers. She regularly contributes to design magazines on both sides of the globe and Elle France magazine included her Instagram account @englisheccentrichome in their feature on influencers to watch in 2024. Her work has been featured in Elle Canada, UK Cosmopolitan, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living and The Vancouver Sun as well as other publications. Currently, Nikki is the Program Director for the Costume, Global Fashion Marketing and Interior Design courses at the Cut, as well as running her design business and studying for a Master’s Degree at the Arts University of Bournemouth in the UK.

Hector Alvarez

Hector, a seasoned Architect hailing from Mexico, boasts over 18 years of experience in designing and constructing his own projects. In 2012, he and his family relocated to Florida, USA, where he pursued managerial roles in Healthcare Facilities across various cities in the state. By 2015, Hector had moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to further his education in Interior Design, earning a Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design from LaSalle College Vancouver (LCV). During his time at LCV, Hector consistently achieved Honour Roll status each quarter, won the Best Portfolio Award at the Portfolio Show, and was chosen as the Valedictorian of his class. A month before his graduation, Hector secured a position at Urban Design Group Architects Ltd., a prestigious Architectural and Interior Design Firm based in Vancouver with over 40 years of comprehensive Architectural practice. He is currently involved in numerous Multi-Residential and Commercial Projects, with the BCCS Flagship Store, featured in National News, standing out as a hallmark of his portfolio. Throughout his career, Hector has been committed to nurturing and developing new talent in the design industry. As a College Instructor, he teaches Software (AutoCAD, Sketchup), Design (Residential, Commercial), Senior Project, and Portfolio Development.

 

Program Price

Payment Plans are Available
(Doesn’t include books and materials, check program outline for details)

APPLICATION FEE (Domestic): $250

APPLICATION FEE (International): $500

TUITION (Domestic): $6,995

TUITION (International): $8,450

Books & Materials excluded

Now it’s time to start

If you’ve dreamed of turning your passion into an exciting career in fashion, as a designer or in production, this is your chance to bring that dream to life!

 

Instructor and materials subject to change

 

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions, we have answers.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our FAQ section below, use our online submission form.

 
 
 
 

 This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
The Cut Design Academy is designated with PTIB