Residential Interior Design Course (Self-Paced)

This is an online blueprint reading class for residential construction projects. Learn from a licensed architect about drawing types, scale and about the relationships between drawings.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relationship between the drawings included in a set of Construction Documents (blueprints).
• Analyze different drawings and see how scale is presented throughout a set of Construction Documents.
• Evaluate the similarities between all sets of blueprint construction documents submitted for building permits.
• Recognize the need for consistency in presenting information in all types of Construction Document in this online blueprint reading course.

So what is blueprint reading and why is it necessary in the construction industry? Many people in the construction industry can benefit professionally by learning how to read a set of blueprints, also known as construction documents (CDs). “Blueprint” is the historic name for construction documents. Contractors build the design and follow the drawings included in the set of “blueprints.”

The blueprint reading class is 100% online and references a real-world project. VDCI encourages strong online engagement, participation in group discussion forums, and connecting with your instructor and classmates. Join us in the VDCI Student Lounge, where our current students and alumni share information about the industry and help one another.

We start at the very beginning, using AutoCAD to draw drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and then create a floor plan. We assemble everything into one sheet file. Learn about Drawing on Layers, Adding Text, Dimensions & Plotting.

• Create drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, a floor plan and integrate all information into one deliverable sheet file.
• Distinguish the differences required to generate drawings for use as annotation and real-world model components.
• Create and insert blocks and externally reference files and determine the appropriate times to apply those skill sets.
• Master file management, drafting on layers, integrating drawing component files and plotting while creating on the class residential project.

Use AutoCAD to draw an abbreviated set of construction documents for a residential project: floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan & building elevations. Create, insert and link drawings. Learn the best workflow.

• Create an abbreviated set of construction documents including floor plan, foundation plan, electrical plan and building elevations for a small residential project.
• Create and insert blocks, externally reference files and determine the appropriate times to apply those skill sets to optimize project efficiency.
• Demonstrate layer and file management, external file referencing, use of model/layout environments and user coordinate systems.
• Apply intermediate-level skills including layer management, user coordinate system development, creating sheet layout environments and plotting.

Develop titleblock drawings from scratch. Then we draw a floor plan, multi-scale enlarged plans, roof plan and building elevations for a large one-story residence which will be continued in CAD 302.

• Create titleblock and titleblock/drawing label components for a professional office to facilitate development of deliverable sheet files.
• Create floor plan, enlarged plan, roof plan and building elevation of a moderately complex residential project. Includes the development of floor plan, roof plan and elevation notes.
• Successfully integrate referenced files to create construction documents. Demonstrate layer and file management, use of model/layout environments and multi-scale drawing presentation.
• Organize deliverable sheet set to conform to the National CAD Standards.
• Apply intermediate-level skills to create sheet layout environments and plotting.

Create custom titleblock drawings from scratch. Then draft a floor plan, multi-scale enlarged plans, roof plan, and building elevations for a large one-story residence—continued in CAD 302.

• Create building elevations, sections, and wall sections; revise detail drawings; draft a metes and bounds (civil) drawing; and compile deliverable sheet files for a moderately complex residential project
• Develop a title sheet and incorporate appropriate general notes and keynote legends
• Integrate external reference files to produce complete, coordinated construction documents
• Demonstrate effective layer and file management, utilize model/layout environments, and apply multi-scale drawing presentation techniques
• Apply intermediate to advanced skills to create professional sheet layouts and prepare files for plotting
• Organize the deliverable sheet set in accordance with National CAD Standards

Create detail drawings. Learn the two dominant CAD standards AEC firms use – making detail drawings from scratch and by referencing and clipping information from other drawings. Learn drawing standards and about organizing your details.

• Create detail drawings pertinent to the course project.
• Create relevant deliverable sheet files.
• Integrate referenced files to create details for construction documents.
• Demonstrate layer and file management, use of model/layout environments and multi-scale drawing presentations.
• Apply intermediate/advanced-level skills to create sheet layout environments and plotting.

Create a Community Park, including topography. Make 3D models of a picnic table, carousel & other site furnishings. Learn to navigate SketchUp and different workflows to create the 3D model of the Park.

• Design massing and preliminary design 3D models.
• Build collaboration
• Determine the most efficient way of accurately and productively working within SketchUp
• Use all of the SketchUp tools to best learn the functionality of the software program.

Learn to use the Sandbox tools to create 3D Topography, and to use Project Geo-Location. Model a Clubhouse for the Community Park. Explore new workflows. Include the 3D Warehouse assets & the SketchUp camera tools.

• Use more advanced SketchUp tools to create doors, walls, windows and to detail the interior of buildings.
• Create and edit new materials and add photo textures to SketchUp models from Google Earth.
• Create scenes, generate scene settings and animate those settings in SketchUp.
• Explore creating topography and exporting images and animations.

Learn the Adobe Photoshop user interface and the specific tools and features that make Photoshop valuable. Learn major strategies to adjust, correct and supplement photos and graphic projects.

• Recognize the basic tools of Photoshop and appropriately utilize these tools for the desired adjustments and corrections.
• Carry out techniques to adjust, enhance, supplement, and compose files necessary to produce marketing materials.
• Implement proper understanding and organization of files and layers within the layers panel and Photoshop interface.
• Appropriately adjust and export images with variations in image file-type, dimension and color.

This Photoshop class reinforces techniques and expands on the Introdction to Photoshop class. You will learn important strategies on how to work successfully, how to plan, design, collaborate and export a project.

• Reinforce the basic tools of Adobe Photoshop and appropriately use these tools for the desired adjustments and corrections.
• Carry out techniques to adjust, enhance, supplement, and compose files necessary to produce marketing materials.
• Incorporate client’s determined goals, audience, and branding.
• Assess and adjust image strategy based on determined marketing and design goals.

Learn Adobe Illustrator, the industry-standard professional vector drawing program. Gain real-world, practical experience using Illustrator to produce vector art for both print and web design.

• Recognize the basic tools of Illustrator and appropriately use these tools for the desired adjustments and corrections.
• Carry out techniques to adjust, enhance, supplement, and compose files necessary to produce marketing materials.
• Implement proper understanding and organization of files and layers within the layers panel and Illustrator interface.
• Appropriately adjust and export images with variations in image file-type, dimension and color.

This class reinforces basic strategies of Introduction to Adobe Illustrator and introduces intermediate techniques for graphic design. Learn additional tools and methods to craft a series of graphic marketing materials.

• Recognize the basic tools of Illustrator and appropriately utilize these tools for the desired adjustments and corrections.
• Carry out techniques to adjust, enhance, supplement, and compose files necessary to produce marketing materials.
• Implement proper understanding and organization of files and layers within the layers panel and Illustrator interface.
• Appropriately adjust and export images with variations in image file-type, dimension and color.