INTERIOR DESIGN
Program Duration: 14 weeks x 20 Hours a week
Your Instructors: Nikki Renshaw, Hector Alvarez
Prices: Domestic $6,995.00
Prices: International $8,450.00
Start Dates: January, May, September
INTERIOR DESIGN
The Interior Design Certificate is a comprehensive 280 hour professional program designed for students who want to develop strong foundational and technical skills in residential and commercial interior environments. This program focuses on the essential principles of space planning, materials selection, drafting, and professional presentation required to transform concepts into functional and aesthetically cohesive interiors.
Interior design is the intersection of creativity, structure, and human experience. This certificate prepares students to understand spatial relationships, lighting, materials, finishes, and client communication processes required in professional studios and design firms.
Students graduate with a professional portfolio that includes space plans, material boards, drafting documentation, rendered visuals, and a final interior design project developed using industry standard methods.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Interior Design Certificate provides in depth training in space planning, design principles, drafting, materials application, and professional presentation techniques.
Throughout the program, students develop creative clarity and technical precision. You will learn how to create floor plans, elevations, and presentation boards while understanding proportion, scale, colour theory, lighting strategy, and furniture selection.
This program emphasizes hands on development. Students design, draft, specify materials, create concepts, and present complete interior solutions while learning professional workflow standards and client communication practices.
Areas of focus include:
Design principles and spatial composition fundamentals
Colour theory and lighting application
Space planning and furniture layout strategies
Manual drafting and CAD development
Materials, textiles, and finish specification
Technical documentation and presentation boards
Budgeting fundamentals and project organization
Development of a final comprehensive interior design project
By the end of the program, students are able to develop cohesive interior concepts, draft professional plans, specify materials accurately, and present design solutions that meet industry expectations
Program Structure & Hours
Duration: 14 Weeks
Total Program Hours: 280 Hours
Weekly Schedule: 20 Hours Per Week
Delivery Method: In class and Live Online Hybrid
Students participate in lectures, drafting labs, design workshops, critiques, client simulation exercises, and portfolio reviews.
PROGRAM JOURNEY
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Students begin by learning the foundational principles of interior design including proportion, scale, balance, rhythm, harmony, and spatial flow. You will explore colour theory, lighting concepts, and historical influences in interior environments.
Terminology of architectural elements, furniture components, and material specifications is emphasized to ensure students build strong professional communication skills.
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Space planning is central to functional interior design. Students learn how to create floor plans, elevations, and layout variations using manual drafting and CAD tools.
This module explores spatial problem solving and teaches students how to assess circulation, proportion, and layout efficiency while developing confidence in technical documentation.
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Students gain practical knowledge of finishes, textiles, flooring, wall treatments, lighting systems, and architectural components required in professional design environments.
You will learn how to evaluate material suitability, understand durability and performance, specify appropriate finishes, and integrate lighting strategies that enhance mood and functionality.
This module ensures students understand both conceptual design decisions and technical material application.
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Students develop complete interior concepts based on functional requirements and aesthetic direction. You will create mood boards, material palettes, layout drawings, and presentation packages.
This module strengthens design storytelling, client communication, budgeting awareness, and professional project organization.
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In the final stage of the program, students develop a comprehensive interior design project demonstrating spatial planning, material selection, drafting accuracy, and presentation clarity.
Students present their final project to peers and instructors, developing professional critique and presentation skills.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
✔ Develop cohesive interior concepts
✔ Create professional floor plans and elevations
✔ Apply colour theory and lighting principles
✔ Specify materials and finishes accurately
✔ Produce manual and CAD documentation
✔ Communicate design ideas clearly and professionally
✔ Organize projects with budgeting awareness
✔ Develop and present a complete interior design portfolio
Graduates leave the program with spatial confidence, technical clarity, and a portfolio demonstrating their ability to execute professional interior design solutions.
CAREER PATHS
Graduates of the Interior Design Certificate are prepared for creative and professional roles within residential and commercial design environments.
Career opportunities may include:
Interior Designer Residential
Interior Designer Commercial
Retail and Hospitality Designer
Home Staging Specialist
Lighting and Materials Consultant
Design Studio Assistant
Film and Set Stylist
This certificate prepares students to work within design studios, retail and hospitality sectors, staging environments, and creative production teams.
TUITION & GRANTS
Domestic Tuition: $6,995.00
International Tuition: $8,450.00
Application Fee (Domestic): $250
Application Fee (International): $500
Books & Materials Excluded
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
High school graduation or mature student status 19+
Admissions interview in person or via Zoom or Skype
Application Essay minimum 250 words outlining your passion and career goals
English proficiency, if applicable
CLBPT minimum 6
Duolingo 85 to 90 accepted in certain circumstances
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
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.
LOOK FOR A WAY TO APPLY?
Applying is straightforward and designed to be personal.
The application is our first opportunity to get to know you. Once you submit the form, an Admissions will reach out to you.
This conversation allows us to share meaningful insights about the program, the industry, career pathways, job opportunities, and available tuition grants or financial aid options. Just as importantly, it gives us the chance to learn about you: your goals, what you hope to achieve through your training, and any questions or concerns we can support you with.
Please note that no enrolment deposit is required until you have been formally accepted into the program. We invite you to submit your application here below
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