Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. How long does the Diploma Course take to complete?

• 2. With no previous experience will I not find the Drafting Subject in the Diploma Course rather hard?

• 3. Where can I get a job after completing the Diploma Course?

• 4. How long does the Associate Diploma Course take to complete?

• 5. Do I need to study the Associate Diploma Course first?

• 6. Is the student allowed to telephone, fax or write to the tutor, and ask questions about the subject being studied?

• 7. What qualifications do I need before embarking on this course?

• 8. Can I contact other students taking the course?

• 9. Can I keep my Final Test portfolio of work after I have graduated?

• 10. Can I attend college to study your courses?

• 11. I've seen courses that offer inferior or at best similar qualifications to yours but that cost many times more. If your courses and qualifications are so good, how can you charge such reasonable fees?

• 12. What are the basic materials required to complete the course of my choice?

1. How long does the Diploma Course take to complete?

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Students study to suit themselves, but 2 to 3 years is the average time for the completion of the Diploma Course if a student can set aside a period of 15 to 20 hours per week. Regular study should become a habit and in this way you will stimulate your mind and be eager for the further knowledge the next lesson will bring. Although a student is permitted to take longer than 3 years to complete his or her studies, we reserve the right to request extra tuition fees to cover rising costs if the study period exceeds 3 years.

2. With no previous experience will I not find the Drafting Subject in the Diploma Course rather hard?

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Most students have had no previous experience, and they master Drafting as it is related only to the specific requirements of the Interior Designer. Although it may be an advantage, you do not need to be gifted with a talent for freehand drawing as all the drawn work required can be produced by using the basic drawing equipment which you will be taught how to use. Also, it should be noted that no special mathematical talent is needed for the use of this equipment and the study of this subject.

3. Where can I get a job after completing the Diploma Course?

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Past students work in architects' offices, as well as in interior designers' offices and the design departments of stores offering design services to the public. Many other graduates set up their own freelance consultancy service. The job you get depends on your individual capabilities, and although we cannot guarantee that you will get a first class job immediately, our Diploma Course could set you on the path to such a job.

4. How long does the Associate Diploma Course take to complete?

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This Course (with 7 or 8 hours of study per week) normally takes about 1 year. Although a student is permitted to take longer than this we reserve the right to request extra fees (as 1 above) if the study period exceeds 1 year.

5. Do I need to study the Associate Diploma Course first?

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No. Although many people with no previous experience opt to study this course first, in order to gain a solid grounding and to test their commitment to the subject, a great many more go directly to the Diploma Course because it is also taught from basic principles and does not assume previous design education or experience.

6. Is the student allowed to telephone, fax or write to the tutor, and ask questions about the subject being studied?

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Indeed, yes. We can assure you of specialist attention by qualified tutors, who will give you personal service.

7. What qualifications do I need before embarking on this course?

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You should have a sound general education and enthusiasm; particularly an enthusiasm to learn about good design. No formal academic qualifications are necessary. There is no upper age limit as we cater to the many people fully capable of pursuing a course who, for one reason or another cannot, did not, or were not able to attend a full time design college.

8. Can I contact other students taking the course?

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If you wish, this is certainly possible. Although we treat all names, addresses and records of students as being strictly confidential, students who wish to contact other people taking the course can arrange this through the college. We maintain mail and email student contact lists (the latter at a hidden location on our website, accessible only by students), and a web-based bulletin board, for students and non-students alike.

9. Can I keep my Final Test portfolio of work after I have graduated?

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Absolutely. If you arrange for your Portfolio to be sent back to you after it has been assessed we will be happy to do this. Students find that their portfolio of Rhodec work is very useful to show to prospective clients and employers as it fully demonstrates their personal abilities. This personal Portfolio can also be augmented throughout one's career.

10. Can I attend college to study your courses?

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In certain countries, yes. We have a number of affiliated full-time colleges, mainly in Ireland and the Far East, and will send full details on request. Assessment of the Final Test is still undertaken by Rhodec.

11. I've seen courses that offer inferior or at best similar qualifications to yours but that cost many times more. If your courses and qualifications are so good, how can you charge such reasonable fees?

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Two reasons: first, some campus-based and online art institutes charge a massive "name premium", whereas we just concentrate on providing top quality courses at affordable prices in association with our prestigious education partners; and second, in comparison to a full-time school our overheads are fairly minimal. We run offices in the UK and the US, but have no large campus to maintain; and aside from our fixed costs such as rent and administrative salaries, most other outgoings are flexible and dependent upon the number of students we have: printing, postage, tutors' fees (they are paid for each test they grade as opposed to being on a fixed salary), and so on. In this way we can maintain high quality course offerings at prices that are within most budgets.

12. What are the basic materials required to complete the course of my choice?

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• A drawing surface of A3 size (or 12" x 18"). A drawing board is not essential: any smooth, flat, straight edged, square cornered piece of hardboard, plywood or blockboard will be adequate
• Writing pens, and drawing pencils of various grades
• Envelopes to forward tests to your tutor
• Glue suitable for sticking paper
• coloured pencils
• Soft erasers
• Scissors
• A ruler
• Loose-leaf A4 (or 8.5" x 11") scrap books of good quality cartridge paper. (Cartridge Paper, or Vellum, or Sketch Paper, is a good quality paper with a slightly rough surface.) One will become your Workbook, relevant pages from which will be submitted as your best work to your tutor; and another, the Sketchbook, should be used for jotting down sketches and ideas, and for storing any appealing or useful images you find and wish to keep. Relevant pages from this Sketchbook will be submitted to your tutor with each test to demonstrate your ideas, thought processes, notes, sketches, personal development, etc.
• Folders for keeping pamphlets, catalogues, samples, etc., and addresses of suppliers and stockists.

All the above materials should be readily available from stationers and art supply stores. If you have problems locating these items consider one of the many suppliers available on the internet.

DIPLOMA COURSE

It is in your best interests to buy the best equipment you can afford. If you can buy good quality materials now, do so - this will save having to replace cheap items, at further expense, if you become a practising interior designer. You will not require drawing equipment until you are studying the Drafting Unit. This list is not exhaustive, and other items may be required during the Course. This will depend to some extent on your own choices of equipment, colouring media, etc. Please note that the course fees do not include the provision of such materials by Rhodec; they must be purchased separately.

• Pads of A4 (or 8.5" x 11") lined paper, and of A4 (or 8.5" x 11") unlined paper
• Writing pens, and drawing pencils of various grades
• Envelopes to forward tests to your tutors
• A drawing board of at least A3 (or 12" x 18") size with parallel motion or tee square and set square (otherwise known as a triangle) - the Drafting text gives more detailed information
• Soft erasers
• A scale rule, otherwise known as an architect's scale
• A clutch pencil or mechanical pencil
• Technical drawing pens - see Drafting
• Cartridge Paper (Vellum) or Sketch Paper (good quality paper with a slightly rough surface) and tracing paper to various 'A' sizes (or equivalent). Both of these products are commonly available in various size rolls and sheets in addition to pads
• Paints, marker pens (art markers) and coloured pencils.

All the above materials should be readily available from stationers and art supply stores. If you have problems locating these items consider one of the many suppliers available on the internet.

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