SketchUp for Interior Design: Top Questions Answered
Today I’m sharing the answers to the top questions I get asked about SketchUp for Interior Design and my SketchUp courses :)
Are your courses and resources only for Australians or are they suitable for anyone around the world?
All our courses and resources are for anyone around the world. We have clients join us not only from Australia but also from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa - among other countries as well!
We are a very international company and welcome anyone around the world!
Are your courses online or in person?
Our courses are delivered entirely online. Once the course starts you will be provided with a login to our learning platform where you will be provided with the video trainings and downloadable PDF worksheets.
Mostly 1:1 support is not required during the course but if you do need help with something as you move through we have dedicated email support for this purpose (most people don't need it but it is there if you do).
Are the courses available immediately or do I have to wait for modules to be released?
The courses can be taken at the pace that works for you. Each module that you complete will unlock the next module. So if you have time and want to complete your course over a few days, then you can do that! But if you prefer to take your time and complete it over a number of weeks or months, then that is totally fine as well. As you move through your course you will also unlock other bonus trainings and surprises! So keep an eye out for those along the way. :)
Can I use my iPad to take the course?
SketchUp released an iPad version of their software in 2022.
You can use this software to model in SketchUp and I think the iPad app is fantastic for modelling on the go, showing people/clients around finished models, mocking things up on site visits and things like that. But I personally don’t think learning to use SketchUp on the iPad app itself is the best idea.
Instead I would recommend you learn how to use SketchUp on the full desktop/laptop version of the software and then use the skills you’ve learned with the full version of the software over in the iPad app.
Your iPad will come in handy for the course for watching video lessons and downloading the accompanying PDF and resource material.
And of course if you really do want to learn how to use SketchUp via only using the iPad app you are welcome to do that, but just be aware that the interface on the iPad app does look a little different to what you will see in the course videos (which uses the full desktop/laptop version of the program).
Reach out if you would like further clarification about any of that.
Do I have to purchase SketchUp Pro to take this course or can I use the free version?
There are both free and paid (pro) versions of SketchUp and although you will be able to get started on the course using the free version, if you get more serious about using SketchUp I will be quickly recommending you move on to SketchUp Pro (there is an annual subscription fee for this). I will go through the pros and cons of each version when we first start the course so you can work out what you think will be best for you.
The course itself is recorded using SketchUp Pro, which has a different interface to the free version. I will go through the two different interfaces but ultimately SketchUp Pro is a much more powerful software and you can do quite a bit more with it.
SketchUp offer a free 30-day trial for SketchUp Pro, which gives you a chance to try it out before purchasing the annual subscription. This is the option I suggest students start with when they get going with the course.
How long does the course go for?
The course is entirely self paced.
It is broken down in to 6 core content modules, plus other bonus trainings along the way.
If you feel you need any support as you move through the course there is heaps of help in our student Facebook group (I'm in there daily answering questions) plus if you really get stuck you can send in a question to our dedicated email support.
I’m a complete novice when it comes to design. Can I really get the results I see on your website?
Yes!!!!!! We have had more than 5000 students go through our SketchUp courses and about 50% of them have been home renovators or design enthusiasts with no training or experience in design.
Here's some of the other support you get if you're worried about lacking design knowledge or skill:
I talk about different aspects of design as I move through the lessons, so you will pick up ideas along the way
you get support whenever you need it - if you have a question as you move through the course then you can ask questions in the FB group or submit them to be answered via our dedicated email support team.
If you're enthusiastic to learn you will definitely get results with this course.
What does the learning hub look like? How does the learning take place?
You can take a look at this short video to look around inside the learning hub and see how it all works!
I’m not very tech savvy - will the course be too hard for me?
Don't worry! SketchUp is very user friendly and is easy to learn once you understand the basics.
If you've got average computer skills (i.e. can use other computer programs, work with a mouse, download files) and you are keen to learn, you will be able to learn SketchUp with this course.
The videos are extremely easy to follow with step by step instructions for you to 'follow along' and practice creating the same designs you see me model. In each module you will be given tasks to practice so your skills improve. By the end of the course you will be able to model kitchens, bathrooms, joinery (millwork) and more!
But it will take work and persistence on your part as well, you will need to allocate time to practice and improve your skills.
A basic level of computer skills and assumed knowledge is required to undertake the course. This includes being able to:
Download and save files and images onto your device
Unzip files
Locate downloaded files on your device
Use a mouse with a scroll wheel
Do you offer refunds?
If you put in the work then we are completely confident that this course works and will take you from being a newbie SketchUp user to being able to model the interiors of your project.
We know this because thousands of students have come before you and have had fantastic results!
But if you can show that you have completed all the lessons and activities and you still feel you can't use SketchUp, then we are happy to provide you with a refund, minus $50 administration fee.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who would like to learn SketchUp and be able to apply this to an interior design or decoration setting. In particular we have the following types of people already enrolled in the course:
home renovators/remodellers who want to design their kitchens, bathrooms, joinery (millwork) themselves, without needing to pay for an interior designer to do this for them.
designers or decorators who want to improve the service they offer their clients and be able to visually represent their ideas in a more professional manner.
kitchen and bathroom designers who are using 3D software already but want to have more ability to customise their designs than what their current software allows
builders, contractors and cabinet makers who want to be able to improve the way they work with their customers
design enthusiasts who wants to learn something fun within the design industry!
How long does each module take?
The course videos and activities should take you around 2-3 hours to complete for each module. But if you want to start to improve your SketchUp skills I suggest you allocated a few more hours to just play around and practice in SketchUp.
Trust me, once you start to get going SketchUp can become very addictive and fun to use!
Is the cost of the course worth it?
If you’re a designer or looking to learn SketchUp for professional reasons then here’s how I look at it:
if you learn SketchUp it gives you a competitive advantage over other designers who don’t offer this service to their clients
you’ll also be able to take on more complicated projects and present more professional drawings
this means you will attract better quality clients and projects
which means you can charge higher design fees
which means you’ll make more money
which means the course pretty much pays for itself :)
If you’re a home renovator or remodeller then think about how much interior design fees cost. They can be anywhere from a few thousand to tends of thousands of dollars. If you’re able to do some of that design work for yourself or even play around with some ideas before you seek out the professional advice from a designer then you’ll likely save yourself thousands of dollars.
So when you look at it like that the course is pretty darn cheap!
What if I have specific questions that need to be answered? Will I get 1:1 help?
As part of the course you will be invited to join our private student Facebook group. In the group you will be able to learn alongside other enthusiastic members who are all passionate about design and who are all on the same path as you. The FB group provides a great place for you to be able to ask questions of others in the group.
Throughout the course you are also welcome to submit questions to our dedicated email support area if you really get stuck with something. The course is so comprehensive that we rarely get questions but please know that option is there if you need it and require individual help.
I already know how to use SketchUp a little, will this course still suit me?
This course is targeted at beginner users but we have had quite a few students who have come through the course even though they have had experience already.
I suggest you take a look at the full break down of content. If you think you have gaps in your knowledge then I would highly suggest you take the beginner course as you will learn better ways of organising your models, a new workflow for your design work, more sophisticated techniques and lots of other things as well I'm sure!
Is this course for MAC or PC/Windows users?
You can take the course whether you are on a MAC or a PC/Windows. Both operating systems are covered and there are actually very few differences between how SketchUp works across the two different platforms.
Lesson summaries and additional training videos are provided where differences do occur.
Is the course taught in the metrical or imperial measurement system?
The course has been created in such a way that it is fine if you want to work in metric or imperial measurements.
All measurements are provided in both systems and the course is suitable for you no matter which system you are working in.
System requirements - will my computer work?
Before purchasing the course please make sure that your hardware and software requirements meet what is required to run SketchUp.
If you Google 'SketchUp system requirements' you will find the most up to date information.
Should I take the Beginner course or the Intermediate course?
It is recommended that most people start with the beginner course, even if you do have some experience using SketchUp already.
We have had a lot of students with experience in SketchUp who have started with the beginner course and been very pleased they did as they have learned better ways to plan their model, how to use the tools correctly plus a new workflow for using the program.
The intermediate course does not teach anything about SketchUp - it is solely focused on using Layout (which comes with SketchUp Pro). So unless you are extremely confident with SketchUp itself then it’s best to start with the beginner course.
Feel free to reach out if you want to further clarify which course would suit you best.
Is there a savings if I purchase both the beginner and intermediate courses together?
YES! We have a bundle offer that gives you a significant discount by purchasing the beginner and intermediate courses together. You can purchase the bundle via the button below.
Learn SketchUp with our fun online course for beginners…
If you want improve your work with design clients or you are about to start renovating or remodeling then you will love SketchUp.
With this software you can mock up an entire home in 2D (floor plans, joinery/millwork elevations, lighting and electrical plans and more) and 3D (renderings and perspective drawings) so you can picture exactly what it will look like when it is finished plus prepare your technical drawings for use with your clients, trades and contractors.
Learning SketchUp will save you time, money, mistakes and so much more! It is a well known piece of software in the interior design and architecture industries and will give you a solid technical drawing skill that will immediately upgrade the professionalism of the work you are doing.
I teach an online course for beginners that is focused specifically on using SketchUp for interior design purposes. We have had more than 10,000 students come through the course with so many fantastic projects designed and built!
We have all sorts of students in the course including designers and architects, cabinet makers, home renovators/remodelers, kitchen and bathroom designers, event planners, landscape designers and design enthusiasts.
To find out more about the courses we have on offer click the link below. And reach out if you have any questions I can help with :)
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
