LEVEL: EASY / BEGINNER TYPE: TECHNICAL SKILLS
A beginner’s introductory course to 2D and 3D modelling using the free web version of SketchUp, specifically within the context of interior design. This course is perfect for absolute beginners who want a fast-track introduction to drawing in Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, allowing them to model spaces, furniture layouts, and room designs.
I still remember the first time I tried to learn SketchUp. Fresh out of architecture school and working at a trendy design office in Sydney, Australia, it was 2008, and SketchUp was still owned by Google (they sold it to Trimble in 2012). Google had developed both a free version and a pro version of the software.
At that point in my career, I was already familiar with AutoCAD, Vectorworks, ArchiCAD, and Revit, so when I tried SketchUp, I was beyond frustrated. I actually wanted to throw my computer out the window! SketchUp was completely different to any other program I had used and it felt like I had to turn my brain upside-down to use it!
IntoDesign Membership
IntoDesign combines mentoring, real client projects, professional tools, business systems and a supportive community so you can build a successful interior design career in one place.
Compared to other drafting and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs, SketchUp initially felt overly basic. But that simplicity is what makes SketchUp brilliant, and it’s why I’m such a huge advocate for it. By the time I left that office in Sydney, I was teaching other designers how to use SketchUp, simply because I loved it so much.
What I appreciated most was that it always offered an easily accessible free version, (and not just for students), which makes it far more inclusive than other design software on the market.
Since its release in 2000 (originally developed by @Last Software in 1999), SketchUp has become the go-to program for designers who need a fast, flexible, and efficient way to model spaces and visualise ideas.
Who Is This Course For?
Aspiring interior designers looking to develop practical 3D modelling skills.
Interior design professionals wanting to improve their ability to create detailed models and presentations.
Freelance designers and startup firms needing a cost-effective, versatile tool to visualize projects and communicate ideas to clients.
Designers transitioning from 2D CAD to 3D modelling, aiming to streamline their workflow and expand their skill set.
Interior designers wanting to learn their first CAD program or expand their skills to include drafting and space planning services.
Interior design students finding other CAD software too academic or difficult and unrelated to interior design, seeking a more intuitive program.
Interior architects and architecture students who never fully grasped CAD at university and want a more approachable learning experience.
Professionals looking to import and work with other designers’ and construction professionals’ drawings.
Freelance interior designers aiming to broaden their service offerings and attract more clients by mastering a widely-used CAD tool.
Home decorators and hobbyists interested in formalising their design process with professional-grade software.
Project managers in design firms who need a basic understanding of SketchUp to better manage projects and communicate with design teams.
Career changers moving into interior design, looking to acquire essential software skills to boost employability.
Design enthusiasts wanting to turn creative visions into detailed digital plans.
Design consultants seeking to enhance presentations and proposals with professional CAD drawings.
