Continuing & Professional Education

Residential Interiors

Earn a Certificate

Courses for everyone 12

  • artists
  • designers
  • career changers

These part-time study courses are designed to enhance current practitioners’ skillsets
Program enrolment is optional – register in a course without applying for admission

Gain an understanding of residential interior design theories, processes, and styles through a balance of the aesthetic and the technical. Learn basic design elements and principles, client needs assessment, articulation of the design process, identification of domestic styles, career options, scope of practice, and the role of consultants.
April 2
already started
Online learning, synchronous. With Elnaz Aliasl Mamaghani
Details
Develop basic skills in drawing, drafting, and presentation relevant to the field of interior decorating. This intensive course includes hands-on application of theory. Learn basic line-drawing and modeled-drawing techniques, basic drafting tools and techniques, three-dimensional subjects and translation of these into two-dimensional images, as well as presentation techniques for portfolios and client proposals.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Explore the complexities of colour and gain an understanding of its function, subjectivity, and application. Learn basic light and colour theories, colour harmony schemes, colour mixing with acrylics, development and application of a colour plan, implications of colour for the selection of residential interior materials, psychological properties of colour; historical colour periods; and colour forecasting/trends. Corequisite EXRI 4676
April 4
already started
Online learning, synchronous. With Noreen Chibuk
Details
Apply your space planning skills and knowledge in this hands-on course that builds on basic research techniques and fundamental theories of residential interior decorating. Learn application of client needs assessment research and problem solving techniques; human/spatial considerations in design; schematics and preliminary planning; design concepts of furniture grouping considerations; functional layouts for individual rooms, room groupings and storage areas; and basic residential structural, mechanical and electrical systems diagrams. Prerequisite: EXRI 4677
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Develop creative skills for the effective application of products and materials in decorating residential interiors. We will cover the function of finishes in residential interiors; applying specific materials relative to cost, durability and maintenance; awareness of the function and aesthetics of materials; applying good design elements and principles in the use of materials; interior finishes for permanent, semi- or non-permanent elements; and general understanding of window coverings, lighting and accessories related to residential interiors. Prerequisite: EXRI 4678
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
The design studio will provide an opportunity to apply the knowledge obtained from core courses of the Residential Interiors Program by completing a major residential project. Students will create a comprehensive project file utilizing the elements and principles of design. A systematic approach from design development (concepts and presentation) to implementation (drawings, finish, furniture and fixture specifications) will be taught through a series of in-class and take-home exercises. Prerequisites: EXRI 4679 and EXRI 4680
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Develop the necessary tools to market interior decorating services and/or products effectively within the residential decorating industry using good business and project management practices. Learn the process of starting and growing a residential interior decorating business including marketing skills for establishing a clientele base, finding tools and design sources, selling products and services, avoiding legal problems, establishing fees for services and other basic business practices relevant to the field of residential interiors. Practical aspects of employment in the industry will also be covered. Prerequisites: EXRI 4679 and EXRI 4680
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Visualizing space in three dimensions (3D) is critical to the success of an interior decorator/designer. In this course, you will learn SketchUp, a prominent 3D design software, that quickly generates everything from rough concepts to evaluate scale, proportion, colour and texture, to working drawings and construction documents for production, all using a familiar pencil and paper paradigm. Most successful architectural firms with Interior Design or Decoration departments employ SketchUp software.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Cad II is an extension of the lessons learned in CAD I. This project based credit course will focus on developing more advanced skills in generating two-dimensional drawings and three dimensional models, still primarily based in Google SketchUp. Students will develop a greater awareness of presentation skills using the software's built in animation features and creating working/presentation drawings with Google LayOut. Prerequisite: EXRI 3510
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Sustainable design allows us to improve the health and comfort of homeowners as a feature of quality and aesthetically appealing projects. Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make responsible design decisions that will reduce negative environmental impacts. Learn how to develop guidelines and checklists for greening projects and specifications. Know how to communicate the positive impact of sustainable design with clients and promote sustainable design as a value-add service. Corequisite EXRI 4676
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Gain an understanding of lighting principles, applications and types of lighting and light sources and fixtures pertaining to residential interiors. Learn how lighting affects other elements of design and the atmosphere of spaces. Understand how to read a reflected ceiling plan and create one to aid in the implementation of lighting in your projects. Develop and understanding of specification of lighting. Learn how lighting controls implemented into spaces can improve the design and energy consumption. We will further explore lighting by visiting some lighting showrooms.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Learn the principles of Universal Design or "inclusive design." You will come to think of design in new ways by becoming aware of the impact universal design has had on the past, present, and future of residential housing design. We will focus on maximizing utility with the ultimate goal of looking at design projects that accommodate people's needs regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
  • An appli­ca­tion fee of $100 is required for admis­sion into the program.
  • Tuition is paid on a course-by-course basis as you reg­is­ter for your classes.
  • Cours­es are GST-exempt.
  • Some cours­es require a text­book at an addi­tion­al cost.
Bursaries and funding opportunities
Funding source
Eligibility
Amount
Apply by
Canada-Alberta Job Grant 

Available for businesses in all sectors across Alberta

 Two-thirds of the training costs (up to 100% if hiring an unemployed Albertan)
any time
Canada Training Benefit 

Residents of Canada, 25-65 years old, who have $10,000-150,000 in earnings for work.

 $250+
income tax return
Skilled Immigrant Micro-Loan 

Whether you intend to work in the same field you trained in outside of Canada, or you wish to apply your transferable skills to a new career, this low-interest loan helps you cover the cost of education and related living expenses.

 Up to $15,000 loan
N/A
HRDF 

Employed by the University of Alberta as Non-Academic Staff (NASA)

 $750 annually
Dec / Mar / Jun / Sep
Ella May Walker Memorial Award 

Students in the Visual Arts (Certificate or Citation), Residential Interiors Certificate programs

 $500 annually
June
                                                                                                                                       

The office was flex­i­ble and help­ful when I need­ed an accom­mo­da­tion to fast-track the pro­gram. I also liked that we always had plen­ty of time to com­plete assign­ments. The teach­ers were very nice.

Res­i­den­tial Inte­ri­ors Certificate student

Ready to take a course?

  • Take a course without applying and enrolling in the program.
  • No University of Alberta background necessary.
    • Questions: ridesign@ualberta.ca
    • 780-492-4149
    • Course planner schedule-at-a-glance