DESN70010
Business of Interior Decorating		 Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.
Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2020
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: DESN70006
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Visual Design Interior Decorat
Program Coordinator(s): Leasa Wright
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20200914_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This course may be offered in multiple formats including face-to- face, blended, or online.
 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
This course provides students with an overview of what is required to start-up and run an Interior Decorating Business in Canada. Students create a professional business plan and learn skills needed to start and operate a successful decorating business. Financial requirements, legal and tax implications of running a business are explored. Students examine marketing methods and learn how to apply them in order to market their business appropriately for today's consumer, using traditional marketing, social media and web-based marketing. Students have the opportunity to apply Project Management skills to a simulated client project. Through interactive lectures, research, seminars, textbook readings, web research, and guest speakers, students obtain the skills necessary to run a successful Interior Decorating business.

Program Context

 
Visual Design Interior Decorat Program Coordinator(s): Leasa Wright
This course, required for the Visual Design - Interior Decorating certificate program, is designed for students who are considering owning and operating an interior decorating business.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to create an interior decorating business plan and an interior decorating project contract.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Identify potential client base using Statistics Canada and other research resources.
  2. Identify the tax and insurance requirements of operating a small interior decorating business.
  3. Determine the human and capital resources needed to operate a small interior decorating business.
  4. Calculate the business's profit and loss.
  5. Design print and digital marketing materials.
  6. Write a business plan using the Canadian Business Development Corporation template.
  7. Identify the details of an interior decorating contract that will have to be negotiated.
  8. Assess client needs to determine the scope of the interior decorating project.
  9. Develop the project work breakdown structure.
  10. Develop the project schedule.
  11. Determine project budget using industry standard sourcing sheet.
  12. Create an interior decorating contract.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Business Plan25.0%
 Marketing Plan25.0%
 Digital Presentation10.0%
 Project Management20.0%
 Contract (including Budget)20.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL The following protocol applies to every course offered by Continuing and Professional Studies. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the instructor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified date and time. Missed tests, in-class/online activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding Sundays and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. An extension or make-up opportunity may be approved by the instructor at his or her discretion.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:

 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  • Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
  • Personal Skills - Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar

  • Not Eligible for PLAR
 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s): N/A
Applicable student group(s): Continuing and Professional Studies
Course Details: 
Module 1 - The Business Plan
  • The Profession
  • Owning and operating a successful business in Canada
  • Entrepreneurship; self-assessment to determine if you have the necessary skills and characteristics specific to the deisgn profession
  • Key success factors and the challenges which are unique to the decorating business
  • Researching business opportunities
  • Analyzing and evaluating business ideas 
  • Costs involved in establishing a decorating studio / office
  • Business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)
  • Basic bookkeeping information, taxes, WSIB
  • Insurance needs and requirements 
  • Charging your client for your services - establishings fees 
  • Managing the business - hiring professionals to help maintain legal and monetary obligations 
  • Assignment #1 - The Business Plan (25%)

Module 2 - Marketing Your Business

  • Marketing your business
  • Create your business logo, motto, and a buisness card 
  • Identify a target market for your decorating business 
  • Research relevant to the business - using statistics to analyze the potential market
  • Design marketing materials which reflect the nature of the business and create a mock website which would outline: services, company mission statement, hours of operation, and portfolio 
  • Communiate business concepts and ideas visually and orally 
  • Assignment #2 - Marketing Plan (25%)

Module 3 - Suppliers To The Trade

Module 4 - Digital Presentation

  • Introduction to Olioboard, prezi.com, and PowerPoint
  • Create a presentation of design ideas for a client project 
  • Showcasing your work, sharing a digital presentation with fellow students
  • Assignment #3 - Digital Presentation (10%)

Module 5 - Managing A Client Project

  • Introduction to Project Management, including Gantt charts and the time / scope breakdown structure 
  • Learn to use an excel spreadsheet to keep track of billable and non-billable hours 
  • Input estimated billable hours into a calendar format so that projects can run as smoothly as possible, and in a timely manner
  • Assignment #4 - Project Management (20%)

Module 6 - Your Resources and Client Communication

  • Create a sample Letter of Agreement between the business and the client 
  • Client communication - creating an estimate and budget 
  • Learn about a retainer, scope of work, change orders, and legal obligations 
  • Network with members of the design community to learn about professional associations avaialble for Interior Decorators
  • Assignment #5 - Contract + Budget (20%)

NOTE: Guest speakers may also be utilized. 

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.
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