Friday Files – Q&A – RMIT Interior Design Education

For a number of years now, Boyac has worked alongside RMIT University. Acting as a mentor to their engaging mentorship program, and representing our experience in the Industry through talks and showroom visits, RMIT has proven itself to be a relevant and reliable education platform for the Design Industry. Should you be considering a career in the Interior design and Architecture Industry we thoroughly recommend you consider RMIT University as an option.

Offering both a Bachelor and Diploma of Interior Design, there are a wide range of courses to choose from. Through the Bachelor program you can expect to learn abstract and a wide range of practical and conceptual skills necessary for a career within the industry. A Diploma will also offer in depth and hands on knowledge on the topic of Interiors, focusing heavily on decoration, with the potential to forego the Associate degree.

If you love soft furnishings as much as we do, you will be happy to know Soft furnishing elements are a key topic within this course, with in depth education of composition, weaves, Codes and Standards as well as application processes. Which is perfect if you one day hope to be a designer sourcing from our showrooms!

Jennifer Crowley, The Program Coordinator of Interior Design and Decoration has been kind enough to answer a few questions about The Diploma Program.

What can prospective students expect to learn when undertaking a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at RMIT?

First and foremost the necessary skills for a career in design; how to draw, think and use computer generated software such as CAD, Revit & Photoshop. More traditional forms of design communication such as drafting are also taught in depth. The sourcing of appropriate textiles and hard materials are also explored, through to professional presentations of concepts to clients.

We also educate students on the business side of a design career, facilitating the ability to set up and successfully run a small business as a sole trader to that of working within a large scale Interior Design Firm. Lastly we ensure students are equipped with the ability to promote and market oneself through websites, social media and electronic folios.

This Diploma is designed to work closely with the Industry, in what way is this achieved?

We are extremely proud of our connections to industry which builds confidence in the students’ knowledge on dealing with live clients & gives a student a great insight to how the industry works, the demands of industry, and how to steer your career into the area of interest. We work collaboratively with industry on live projects throughout the entire program which begins in semester one with rug designs, spatial design of specific spaces through to more elaborate projects in second year. We have  our ongoing connection with BQ Design & Fabric Houses where we have a students work  judged, selected, manufactured to be  displayed on their web site & showroom, as the designer of the month. We work on exhibition designs, restaurants and any other projects that meet the course curriculum but also add a level reality to the student’s skills & understanding.

What would you say is the RMIT Diplomas main point of difference in Design Education in Australia and Melbourne?

The passion that comes from the staff who mentor and help develop the student’s skills and knowledge. This passion comes from many years of experience in teaching, through continually updating their own practice, learning new ways of delivery, technologies and undertaking the most current industry practices from around the world. Recognition from industry through the DIA, and Interior Design & Decoration industry in the form of our 26 years of mentoring program to 2nd year diploma students.  We believe learning takes place in the classroom for 90% of the time and  through demonstration & practice, to listening to key speakers discuss their products and knowledge on the industry, to visiting showrooms, sites and interacting with the products. All of these bring the student awareness to the peak of learning.

As expected, we are extremely passionate about soft furnishings, is this topic covered in the Diploma Program?

I believe this is one of our major points of difference over other RTO’s. Soft furnishing is a foundation course that filters through all programs and is delivered with great passion and knowledge by the team. Our commitment and passion for textiles brings the respect and support of decorators of Melbourne along with the manufactures and of course the amazing fabric houses.