The Interior Design Professional Practice & Management course is designed to prepare students and professionals for the real-world business and management aspects of working as an interior designer in Malaysia. Beyond creativity and design skills, successful interior designers must understand the legal, professional, and operational frameworks that govern the industry to run projects and businesses effectively.
This course introduces participants to the Malaysian context of professional practice, covering local regulations, codes of conduct, and the role of professional bodies in the interior design field. Learners will study the structure of design businesses, project management workflows, contract administration, cost management, and client relations, with a strong emphasis on professional ethics and responsibility.
Through practical case studies and industry-focused exercises, participants will also gain insights into managing design projects from concept to completion, including tendering processes, contract documentation, team coordination, and dispute resolution. The program also highlights business management skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing of design services, and financial planning for design firms.
By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage design practices and projects in compliance with Malaysian standards, enabling them to confidently take on professional roles, establish their own design businesses, and operate at an industry-ready level.
The Interior Design Professional Practice & Management course provides learners with the knowledge and skills to navigate the professional, legal, and business aspects of interior design practice in Malaysia. While creativity and technical ability define design excellence, the ability to manage projects, clients, and business operations is what ensures long-term success in the industry.
This program introduces students to the Malaysian professional framework, including relevant laws, building regulations, licensing requirements, and the role of professional bodies such as Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) and Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM). Learners will explore how design projects are managed from start to finish, covering client communication, contract administration, tendering, budgeting, scheduling, and dispute resolution.
The course also emphasizes practice management, helping learners understand how to structure and operate an interior design firm, handle financial planning, market design services, and build a strong professional reputation. Case studies and real-world examples are used to connect theory with practice, ensuring learners gain a practical perspective on the business side of design.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to manage projects and run design practices professionally in compliance with Malaysian standards, making them ready to work as project managers, consultants, or independent interior design entrepreneurs.
Gain an understanding of interior design as a regulated profession in Malaysia. Learn the role of LAM (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia) and other authorities, codes of conduct, professional ethics, and licensing requirements. Explore case examples highlighting compliance and legal considerations in design projects.
Study the full interior design project lifecycle, from concept to completion. Learn techniques for effective client communication, briefing, scheduling, budgeting, and workflow management. Understand how to coordinate teams including consultants, contractors, and suppliers. Workshop: map out a project workflow for an interior design firm.
Explore contract administration in design projects. Learn how to prepare tender documents, manage bidding processes, and apply cost estimation and budgeting. Address dispute resolution strategies and professional liability issues. Workshop: review and analyze a sample client–designer agreement.
Understand how to structure and operate an interior design firm in Malaysia. Learn strategies for marketing design services, building a client base, and pursuing entrepreneurship in design. Cover financial planning, fee management, and firm growth strategies. Final Project: prepare a practice management plan for a design business.
4-Day Short Course: Interior Design Professional Practice & Management (Malaysia)
Day 1: Professional Framework & Legal Context
Overview of interior design as a profession in Malaysia
Role of LAM (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia) and relevant authorities
Codes of conduct, ethics, and responsibilities of designers
Local building regulations and licensing requirements
Case examples: compliance and legal considerations in projects
Day 2: Project Management & Client Relations
The interior design project lifecycle: concept to completion
Client communication, briefing, and expectation management
Scheduling, budgeting, and workflow management
Team coordination: consultants, contractors, and suppliers
Workshop: mapping out a project workflow for an interior design firm
Day 3: Contracts, Tendering & Cost Control
Contract administration for design projects
Preparing tender documents and managing the bidding process
Cost estimation, project budgeting, and cash flow management
Dispute resolution strategies and professional liability
Workshop: reviewing a sample client–designer agreement
Day 4: Business & Practice Management
Structuring and operating an interior design firm in Malaysia
Marketing design services and building a client base
Entrepreneurship in interior design: start-up to growth
Financial planning and managing design fees
Final project: preparing a practice management plan for a design business
Interior Designer
Design Project Manager
Interior Design Consultant
Contract Administrator
Cost Control Executive (Design Projects)
Client Relations Manager (Design Industry)
Interior Design Entrepreneur / Studio Owner
Practice Manager (Interior Design Firm)
201901011352 (1320680-K)
