FAQ's on Sheffield's Home Study Interior Design Course

Q. Do I need a background in interior design?
A. We don't expect you to have any prior training in interior design. If you do, so much the better. The first few lessons will be a thorough review of all the basics for you, but don't be surprised - they may teach you some "tricks" you never knew before.

Q. Do I need to have a talent for drawing or special artistic ability?
A. We don't expect you to have special artistic talent or drawing ability. Again, if you have them, so much the better. But you don't need them. What you need is knowledge, training, and practice...and we give you all three as you progress through your home study interior design course.

Q. Do I have to have worked in interior design in order to take the course?
A.We don't expect you to have any working experience in the field. We start you with the basics no matter what your experience. Then we build on this solid foundation to bring you to mastery of advanced techniques.

Q. I've been away from school for some time will I have difficulty adjusting to study?
A. You might if you were returning to classroom routine. The Sheffield School method is entirely different. You are literally in a class by yourself - comfortable and relaxed in your own home. There's no pressure of classroom competition. The Listen-and Learn audio programs, the Live-Action video programs available on your choice of DVD or videotape, and the Design Projects are so fascinating that you will look forward to each home study interior design session.

Q. How much time must I devote to study?
A.Only as much as you can spare. You set your own pace. You are neither hurried nor held back by other students. This is the beauty of our home study interior design courses. You don't lose a single day from your present job or your home responsibilities. The average of our students is about two hours a week.

Q. Do I get personal supervision and help?
A.Yes. Your Sheffield School instructors are as near as your phone. If you ever have a question, just call your Personal Advisor's direct-dial number - or write or fax or e-mail. And, of course, after you study each series of lessons, you will mail your Design Project to the School. Within days, you'll receive it back along with your instructor's helpful guidance and suggestions on a cassette tape personally recorded for you.

Q. Must I quit my job or school?
A.No. You take your Sheffield training in your spare time, at your own pace, on your own schedule. It shouldn't interfere with any aspect of your regular life.

Q. Does the tuition fee cover the entire cost?
A.Yes. The low tuition fee at the Sheffield School covers everything you need. The complete home study interior design course includes all lessons books, Audio and Video programs, Furniture Layout Kit, Color Schemes Kit, Resources File, Design Projects, Personal Analysis of your Projects, Personal Consultation Privileges, and all the other materials and services we've described here. You pay only the cost of postage on the Projects you mail to the school. Otherwise, the entire cost of the complete Course is covered in your tuition fee. As you will see, this entire tuition fee is only a fraction of what you would pay for tuition and expenses at a classroom school. And budget terms are available to make it easy for you to enroll.

Q. Is Sheffield training for someone who doesn't want to do it professionally as well as the pro?
A.Absolutely. About half our students take the Course to help them pursue interior design as a "hobby." They want to beautify their own homes, find an outlet for their sense of taste, and save money when they buy furniture and furnishings. On the other hand, the other half of our students take the Course because they want to pursue interior design as a new career - either part-time or full-time. We give complete training to both types of students. The choice of how you use this training is yours!

Q. Do I need any special education or previous experience?
A.No. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training. It starts with fundamentals and moves up to complete mastery of professional techniques in easy, carefully planned steps. If you have a desire to put your natural love of beauty to practical use, you're all set to go.

Q. How long is the course?
A. This depends upon you since you set your own pace. Because there is much to cover and many decorating projects, you cannot just race through the Course. So figure on at least six to eight months if you are willing to study regularly about two hours a week. If like many students you don't have much free time to devote to the Course, you may choose to stretch out your lessons at a more leisurely pace. You may take 12 months, or even longer. You set your own pace from beginning to end. Take up to three years at no extra tuition charge.

Q. Do I need any special artistic talent?
A. If you think you've got talent hidden within you, then that's all you need. You don't need to know how to draw. You don't need any training in art or design. What you need is a love of beautiful objects and a desire to succeed. The Sheffield School will give you all the training you need.

Q. How soon can I get started as an interior decorator?
A. Many students start earning money from freelance work before they complete the Course. To get them started right away, the lessons on Business Methods, starting in the very first Portfolio, teach students how to contact prospective clients, how to promote their services, how to charge, how to gain access (and save money) in trade-only showrooms, how to successfully handle any job from start to finish. Result: Many students pay for their entire tuition - and more - out of profit from their very first job!

Q. What do I need to succeed in the Sheffield Course?
A. Many students start earning money from freelance work. You only need three things to succeed in the Sheffield Course.

1. A reasonable knowledge of written and spoken English.
2. A desire to express yourself through interior design.
3. A willingness to learn.