Five Materials You Need In Your First Year Of Interior Design School
You're most likely reading this post because you got accepted to design school and you're mentally preparing yourself before the semester begins
Well!!! You’re in luck. I wrote this post especially for YOU because you are taking on a great challenge and pursuing your passion/dreams!
I still remember my first year in the interior design program, and as I look back, I wish I had gotten a few tips before walking into this unexpected path. As a proud interior design graduate, I would love to share with YOU my best resources to help you succeed through the program.
Let's begin!
MEASURING TAPE
First and foremost, get your hands on a measuring tape. It's your first route to success. In your first year of design school, you will begin by getting familiar with standard measurements and dimensions such as door width, seating height, ceiling height, baseboard height, and many other standards. Have your measuring tape with you at ALL times as it will help you be efficient by quickly measuring and identifying the dimensions to the standards around you. **Measuring is more accurate and faster than googling :)**
2. X-ACTO
Designers use x-acto vs. scissors. Interior design students cut a lot of foam core (to build models), boards, and samples for presentations. Therefore, having an x-acto knife enables you to produce sharp and straight edges for your presentations. This is a crucial part of your professionalism.**Straight lines and clean/sharp edges are a MUST in design school! Trust me, you'll see soon enough. **
3. SHARPIE SHARPIE SHARPIE!
You'll be using A LOT of sharpies so treat yourself to many different colours and thicknesses. In all my design classes sharpie were used in the preliminary stage of design where we would try different concept and develop space plans. Sharpies allowed us to freely express our ideas by sketching and creating "overlays" on the original plans. I must say, using all these sharpies and different colours was honestly a lot of FUN!
4. TRACING PAPER
Get your rolls ready!!!! Tracing paper is essential for the concept phase and space planning. I won't explain much of this, as you will quickly discover this phase of design. ADVICE: Invest in short-length architectural tracing paper. It will be practical for use when studying 11" x 17" plans.
5. RESOURCE BOOKS
There are many books teachers and professors will recommend but these are my TOP FOUR REFERENCES.
Interior Design Illustrated - Skim to the back and this book and this book will become the best resource to refer back to during your construction document classes.
Human Dimension & Interior Space - Great book with many standard dimensions for space planning.
Perspective and sketching for designers - I started interior design with no art background and this book has helped me tremendously. If you can relate and feel slightly anxious about your drawing skills, this book will help you. It comes with an online guide, video sessions, and assignments after each module. This book will help you practice, practice, practice until you develop the skills.
Color, Space, Style - The ultimate designer handbook. You simply need to visit your local bookstore to skim through this book to see its value! It's affordable and resourceful!
There you have it! Five things recommended by a design graduate to help you succeed in your years of design school.
I always look back and see how privilege design students are as we get to constantly use our creativity. Therefore, as much as your classes become overwhelming, keep yourself organize, always be prepared and remember what initially motivated you to apply for the interior design program.
Good luck friends!