
Residential Interior Space Design – Manual Project
Are you someone who loves transforming empty rooms into inviting, stylish spaces? If so, our Certificate in Residential Interior Space Design – Manual Design (Project – 1) is just the experience you’ve been looking for. Across 45 hours in 8 weeks, you’ll dive into the essentials of interior design, from exploring color theory and design principles to practicing manual sketching and one-point perspective drawing. We’ll look at what makes spaces comfortable and functional, discussing everything from ergonomic layouts to lighting choices that set the right mood. You’ll also learn how to source materials—like fabrics and finishes—and see how different styles (modern, minimalist, traditional, and more) can inspire a fresh approach. Along the way, you’ll create mood boards, experiment with real-world assignments, and gain the confidence to talk through your design ideas with clients. By the end, you’ll have a complete living room design under your belt and a solid grasp of how to balance creativity with practicality—ready to bring any residential space to life.
Duration
42 Hours + 3 Hours (Jury Presentation)
Format
Online, Blended, or In-Studio
Course Objective
To provide a comprehensive understanding of residential interior design by combining foundational concepts, technical drawing, space planning, material selection, and presentation skills.
Project
Manual Project - Design a Residential Loft
Detailed Course Modules
Foundational Concepts in Interior Design
- What is Design? What is Interior Design?
A Quick History of Interior Design, Definition & Scope of Interior Design – Introduction to the evolution of interior design – Basic definitions and significance of interior design in various contexts - Role of an Interior Designer
Differences Between Interior Designer & Decorator; Managing a Project with Architects & Engineers – Distinctions between roles in the design industry – Responsibilities, areas of intervention, and coordination with allied professionals - Design Thinking Process
User-Centered Design, Idea Generation -Overview of human-centered design – Brainstorming and concept development techniques – Visual Techniques of Idea Generation (Mood Boards – Gathering inspirations and references – Communicating initial concepts visually - Phases of the Design Process
Client Management, Requirement Collection, Concept, Design Development, Final Project, Execution – Client interviews and briefing – Step-by-step progression from concept to execution - Design Concepts
Elements of Design (Line, Shape, Colour, Texture, Space, Form, Pattern, Light, Typography) & Principles of Design – Elements of Interior Design: Environment, Ground Plane, Enclosure, Support, Display, Decoration, Information – Design Principles: Balance, Contrast, Rhythm, etc. - Color Theory
Color Wheel, Warm & Cool Colors, Schemes (Analogous, Complementary, Monochromatic, Triad, Quadrant) – Psychological impact of color – Techniques for color matching and color swatches - Assignments / Activities –
Brainstorm exercise: sketching basic design ideas – Create a mini mood board on a chosen style or theme
Technical Drawing (Total: 8 Hours)
- Parallel Orthographic Multiview
Definition of Parallel & Perspective, Oblique & Orthographic, Multiviews & Axonometric Views – Understanding different types of projection methods – Basics of orthographic drawing and 3D representation - Plan and Sections
Basics of Layout Visualization, Drafting a Ground Plan & Section, Intro to Scale (1:50 & 1:20) – Creating accurate floor plans & sections – Using standard scales for residential spaces - Blueprint Mastery: Understanding Plan & Section Symbols
Architectural Drafting Standards, Symbols & Norms – Common architectural symbols (doors, windows, fixtures) – Conventions for dimensioning and labeling - One-Point Perspective Drawing – Basics of perspective rendering – Hand-drawing techniques to convey depth and spatial relationships
Space Planning
- Meaning of Space
Space & Functions, Strategies of Space Planning – Functional requirements for residential spaces – Core strategies for efficient space utilization - Relationship Diagram & Zoning
First Steps in Designing Spaces, Impact of Lighting, Acoustics, Privacy – Creating adjacency diagrams – Zoning and traffic flow within a residential plan - Layout of Residential Spaces & Related Furnishings
Ergonomics & Circulation: Living Room, Bedroom, Hallways – Designing key areas for comfort and functionality – Standard ergonomic guidelines (e.g., seating distances, walkway clearances) - Layout & Technical Issues Designing the Bathroom
Basics of Plumbing – Bathroom fixtures, space allocations, code considerations – Essential plumbing requirements and layouts - Layout & Technical Issues Designing the Kitchen – Kitchen work triangle, storage planning, ventilation – Integrating appliances and plumbing fixtures
- Assignment:
Design a small 80 sq.m flat for a couple with one child. Deliverables:
Mood Board – Plan and 2 Sections – One Detail (e.g., millwork or custom built-in)
Materials, Finishes, and FF&E
- Hard Materials
Wood, Stone, Tiles, Terracotta, etc. – Properties and applications of common hard materials – Durability, maintenance, and aesthetic considerations - Soft Finishing
Fabrics, Wallpaper, Paint – Types of fabric, wallpaper, and paint finishes – Selecting textures and patterns to match design concepts - FF&E and OS&E Principles
Sourcing, Selection, Budgeting, Ordering – FF&E selection methods for residential projects – Cost estimation, lead times, and vendor management
Lighting Design for Residential Spaces
- Natural Lighting
Designing with Natural Light – Window placement, daylight strategies – Balancing glare and privacy - Artificial Lighting
Ambient, Task, Accent & Decorative Lighting, Lamps & Fixtures – Layered lighting approaches – Selecting fixtures for residential comfort & style - Lighting Plan
Developing a Lighting Plan for Residential Projects – Creating a reflected ceiling plan (RCP) – Indicating fixture types and switching arrangements - Assignment:
Create a lighting plan for the previously designed 80 sq.m flat, specifying fixture types and placement.
Presentation and Communication Skills
- Plan with Schedules
Finishing, Doors & Windows, Furniture Schedules – Annotating plans with schedules – Organizing data for smooth execution (finishes, furniture, lighting) - Hand-Drawn Perspectives & Views
Marker Presentation of Plan, Axonometric, or Elevation Views – Refining presentation drawings – Using color/markers to highlight materials and finishes - Client Presentation & Feedback
Advanced Techniques, Role-Playing- Engaging storytelling for design concepts – Handling client questions, peer/instructor feedback
Final Jury Presentation (3 Hours)
Students present their final design project, including all required deliverables, to a panel of instructors and peers. Feedback focuses on design solutions, functionality, and communication skills.

Course Deliverables

- Client Folder: Project requirements, scope of work, budget, and timeline.
- Mood Boards: Visual representation of design themes.
- Plan and Sections: Floor plan and at least two sectional drawings (existing state + proposed).
- Perspective: One-point perspective, hand-rendered with markers to showcase material variety.
- Material/Finish Board: Curated selection of fabrics, finishes, and fixtures.
- Lighting/RCP Plans: Clear indication of fixture placement, plus any basic electrical notes.
- Schedules: At least one plan with finishing/furniture/lighting schedules and a supporting catalog.
- Final Presentation Board: Unified board featuring all elements for jury/client review.
Learning Outcomes
01
Foundational & Conceptual Mastery
Understand interior design principles, color theory, and design thinking.
02
Technical Drawing Skills
Draft accurate plans, sections, and perspectives to communicate ideas.
03
Functional Space Planning
Apply ergonomics, zoning, and layout strategies for diverse residential areas.
04
Materials & FF&E Selection
Confidently specify and source materials, finishes, and furnishings.
05
Lighting Proficiency
Create layered lighting schemes that enhance both aesthetics and functionality.
06
Professional Presentation
Assemble coherent presentation boards and deliver convincing client pitches.