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Piarra
Student
Brighton, Michigan
15
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What classes in high school do you think relates to interior design the most?
I am an 8th grader and I am learning about different jobs and job paths. #interior-design #interior-decorator
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Desiree Giler Mann
Attorney
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New York, New York
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
Full disclosure: I am not a professional interior designer. That said, I've decorated a few places.
Here are the classes that I think would be most helpful and why:
-math/geometry (at the end of the day, the furniture and decor objects are geometric shapes you use within the shape of a room; getting the scale right is one of the trickiest things)
-visual art classes to understand colors pallets, color undertones, artistic styles, etc. (even if you intend to break the rules, you should know the rules - and understanding why the grey with blue undertones is so jarring against the grey with red undertones will save you a lot of repainting!)
-art history and/or architecture classes to understand the classics - symmetry, asymmetry, Rococo, Brutalism, everything in between (even if you intend to update the classics or invent something entirely new)
-if your school offers any sort of basic industrial arts/woodworking/construction/assembly skill courses (even if you have a team of professionals, it's likely you'll need to do some basic construction tasks on your own. Of you watch any HGTV show, you'll see the designers often lend a hand - if not take over certain projects!)
-if your school offers any sort of textile/sewing classes (understanding different fabrics and what's suitable for different uses from upholstery, curtains, throw pillows, wall coverings, bedding, rugs, etc.)
-business/marketing (knowing how to price and pull together proposals for clients, stay on budget, understand profit/loss -- whether you own the company or work for someone else, basic business & marketing knowledge will be helpful.)
Even if you cannot find classes at your school on these subjects, you can look for courses on-line (museums have many free virtual courses, there are lots of YouTube tutorials on basic construction skills or talk to people at your local hardware store, etc.)
Here are the classes that I think would be most helpful and why:
-math/geometry (at the end of the day, the furniture and decor objects are geometric shapes you use within the shape of a room; getting the scale right is one of the trickiest things)
-visual art classes to understand colors pallets, color undertones, artistic styles, etc. (even if you intend to break the rules, you should know the rules - and understanding why the grey with blue undertones is so jarring against the grey with red undertones will save you a lot of repainting!)
-art history and/or architecture classes to understand the classics - symmetry, asymmetry, Rococo, Brutalism, everything in between (even if you intend to update the classics or invent something entirely new)
-if your school offers any sort of basic industrial arts/woodworking/construction/assembly skill courses (even if you have a team of professionals, it's likely you'll need to do some basic construction tasks on your own. Of you watch any HGTV show, you'll see the designers often lend a hand - if not take over certain projects!)
-if your school offers any sort of textile/sewing classes (understanding different fabrics and what's suitable for different uses from upholstery, curtains, throw pillows, wall coverings, bedding, rugs, etc.)
-business/marketing (knowing how to price and pull together proposals for clients, stay on budget, understand profit/loss -- whether you own the company or work for someone else, basic business & marketing knowledge will be helpful.)
Even if you cannot find classes at your school on these subjects, you can look for courses on-line (museums have many free virtual courses, there are lots of YouTube tutorials on basic construction skills or talk to people at your local hardware store, etc.)