We caught up with Nicole Fitzgerald - one of the prize winners in our recent Pinterest competition - about how she's enjoying the iSTYLE course at iscd, International School of Colour + Design and what she's planning next.

How are you enjoying the iSTYLE course?
The course is fantastic. That may sound like a bit of an overreaction, but I have wanted to study Interior Design for such a long time and I particularly love the use of colour, different textures and styling overall, so it's a lot of fun.  Finding time is not hard when you enjoy what you're doing; it makes studying much more attractive.  Each of the modules give you an opportunity to express yourself while applying your learning in a very practical way. I have wanted to study at iscd for some time, it is really well regarded and the course is developed and taught by staff who also work in the design industry – I think that is really important.
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What have you found interesting so far?
I think the most surprising part about the course for me is that it is flexible enough to allow you to demonstrate your own personal style through each of the modules. As you work through the lessons you really begin to understand how you will apply your knowledge in practical way.  Since starting the course I have found myself looking more critically at how people style their homes. I have even found things in my own home that I want to change or modify.  It's really exciting – I feel like I am seeing some things for the first time! Other elements of the course have reinforced what I instinctively understood but I feel more confident when I talk about colour schemes, using texture and the impact these elements can have when styling a room.



How are you finding distance learning?
I have to say, distance learning made me a little nervous when I first began considering studying Interior Design.  I questioned if I would remain motivated enough to see it through to the end, if you could learn effectively without having class time and face to face contact with the educators and if I would feel confident enough after completing online studies to put everything into practice? I am half way through the course and I am already feeling a sense of confidence about being able to readily apply what I have learnt. The course is very practical and contains just the right amount of instruction to help you complete each of the assessment modules.  I live in Canberra, work part-time and have three young children so the Interior Design courses offered at University and TAFE don't suit my lifestyle – studying online is perfect for me and its working really well.  I plan to complete a series of online courses to help me obtain the necessary skills I need to work in a profession I have desired to part of for many years.



What are your plans after you finish the course?
To do more study! I want to do a number of courses and I fully intend to start my own business.  While some may think it is premature, I have no doubt in my mind I will do this, so I have registered a business name, domain name and started a Facebook page called Texture Interior Styling & Design.  I understand it will take time to build a business so while I am studying I am using my page to show friends and followers great styling ideas and amazing homewares  (it also helps me get my 'interior design fix'). I'm amazed that so many people don't seem to know where to look to find amazing homewares, you just have to buy at the right time and shop smart. Temple & Webster is one of my favourite sites for this very reason.   As I chat to friends and colleagues about my study, what comes across very strongly is that people are so time poor. They don't want to travel from place to place to look at homewares or furniture – the internet is the place to do your research, but this seems to be overwhelming for so many, they don't know where to start.  I want to make this a focus, to help people find amazing homeware websites and show them that designer looks can be achieved without breaking the budget!

Images from one of Nicole's 'Summer with Temple & Webster' Pinterest boards (she made three!). See all her boards here.