Online Courses

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Texas does not consider courses with independently graded quizzes as self-study courses, so these courses with quizzes can be taken without the limitation of the three-hour self-study rule.

Fabrics, Facts & Fire
Course# 7410, 3 hours
Attendees of this course will gain an understanding of the terminology of fabrics, and the importance of appropriate specification of fabrics in preventing the spread of fire in the built environment. The course will focus on the various finish classifications based on occupancy and the testing methods for fabrics as well as flammability standards. Price: $150 Register Now!

The Aging Client
Course# 7484, 3 hours
The Age Wave is upon us, so it is imperative that both residential and non-residential designers understand the dynamics of the aging client. This seminar will present an overview of aging demographics, client profiles, and the challenges faced by today's aging society. It will then discuss how design professionals can help mediate those challenges and enhance the quality of life for the aging person through their design solutions. Price: $150 Register Now!

The Healthy Aspects of Color
Course# 7483, 2 hours
Color and light have been proven to affect the quality of life for people of all ages. For this reason, it is important the design professionals understand the basics of color as well as how different research approaches have influenced the application of color theory. This class will present core color theory as a review, discuss different approaches to color research and how these approaches affect humans and their interaction with one another. The information and application exercises will help you, the designer, to apply color and light in a way that will result in healthy interior environments. Price: $100 Register Now!

Barrier-Free Design: Part I - A Residential Introduction
Course# 7309, 1 hour
Attendees of this course will be afforded a renewed awareness of the need to address society's diversity in allowing access to the built environment. This basic course will discuss the considerations to be undertaken in planning an adaptation to a residential project, and the financial and social repercussions of barrier free design. Design professionals will be reminded of the basic requirements for barrier free design in the residential arena. Price: $50 Register Now!

It's Not Just Alzheimer's: Designing for the Cognitively Challenged
Course# 7603, 3 hours
In today's world, designers are often faced with designing for those who are cognitively challenged. Whether it is designing a space for a person in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or one for a teenager suffering from a serious head injury, the ultimate challenge is designing for a person whose process of knowing, including awareness and judgment, is affected. This class will present an overview of the many causes and characteristics of these conditions and then explain the best design practices for creating successful design solutions for these individuals. Price: $150 Register Now!

Barrier-Free Outdoor Living Environments v.1
Course# 7812, 1 hour
This course stresses the importance of outdoor living environments and the positive effects they can have on our health. Often for those who can't wander through the public and private outdoor environments, their limitations once again highlight their lack of independence. Whether one loses their vision, hearing, mobility, mental function, or whatever challenges they face, their enjoyment of and need for positive outdoor experiences is NOT lost. Designers and architects should be designing from the point of view of the client's needs and that often includes helping them to envision the future and what might be their future needs. Sometimes that includes what could happen, not just what has happened, in other words, planning an environment as Barrier Free as possible. It is not about disabilities or trying to predict the future, but designing so that no matter what the age or ability, outdoor environments will be able to be enjoyed by all. Price: $50 Register Now!

Communication for Business Success
Course# 7814, 1 hour
Communication is the oxygen for business. Good communication skills are essential in every aspect of your dealings with people, both clients and colleagues. This class will cover the three ways of becoming a more effective communicator. It covers all the mental filters and mixed messages individuals send and receive. Attendees will learn the factors inherent in good communication and tips for becoming a good listener and communicating one-on-one. Learn to be an effective communicator and thus a successful business leader. Price: $50 Register Now!

Fabrics: Flammability & Toxicity
Course# 7813, 1 hour
This course takes a close look at fabrics from the standpoint of flammability and toxicity. Factors affecting flammability of textiles and standards and guidelines are presented in this segment of "Fibers, Fabrics and the Whole Cloth". Toxicity issues relative to testing methods and the finishing agents and flame retardant finishes are also addressed. Price: $50 Register Now!

Health, Safety & Welfare: A Safety Snap Shot v.2
Course# 7025, 2 hours
Any design professionals interested in learning basic information regarding safety issues contained in the most common building and life safety codes, regulations and standards. This course is a basic stepping stone to awareness and application of these codes, regulations and standards. This is an updated version of Heatlh, SAfety & Welfare: A Safety Snapshot which includes new codes issues, etc. Price: $100 Register Now!

Textiles: A Bridge to the Future
Course# 7888, 3 hours
Textiles are the soft backbone of design. From their origins to their future, this course will explore the creativity, science and art of the needle as it affects interiors.

Discover textile delights and dangers, the construction and care. Look at the relevance of textiles to the design professional and fabrics of the here and now as well as catch a glimpse of the future of textiles. Price: $150 Register Now!

Textiles: Issues & Standards
Course# 7887, 3 hours
Textiles are the soft backbone of design.

This course builds on the course, Textiles: A Bridge to the Future. This course explores the health, safety and welfare issues relative to fabrics.

What do design professional need to know regarding durability, flammability, toxicity and environmental issues? The various methods of testing materials will be discussed in depth in an attempt to de-mystify the various requirements for flammability ratings.

Discover dangers that textiles can contribute to the built environment and what Standards Organizations are doing to assist design professionals make better decisions with the textiles they are specifying. Price: $150 Register Now!

The Healthy Aspects of Color v.1
Course# 6410, 1 hour
This abbreviated version of the two-hour program on The Healthy Aspects of color will discuss color and how it affects humans physiologically, psychologically and socio-culturally. The use of full-spectrum color and its importance in creating health and well-being in environments will be also be discussed. Price: $50 Register Now!

Outdoor Living Environments - v.1
Course# 7694, 1 hour
In this brief overview of the 4-hour course, this course will point out the current trend toward the increased importance of outdoor living spaces and how these spaces impact the wellness and well-being of those who inhabit them. The positive impact of these spaces on human health and well-being will be emphasized. Critical elements of planning for outdoor living environments and how these components support well-being will also be considered. A short discussion of newly available products that enhance the creation of these spaces will complete the course, allowing the practitioner to design both beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces. Price: $50 Register Now!

Kitchens for All Ages - v.1
Course# 7911, 1 hour
With the aging of the Baby Boomers, there is a greater awareness of the need for residential spaces to adapt to changing needs. This challenge is particularly evident in the design of kitchens. Along with reviewing the guidelines for universally designed kitchens, this course also answers the question: "what products are on the market that help us create kitchens for all ages.

Barrier-Free content. Price: $50 Register Now!

Kitchens for All Ages - v.2
Course# 7910, 2 hours
With the aging of the Baby Boomers, there is a greater awareness of the need for residential spaces to adapt to changing needs. This challenge is particularly evident in the design of kitchens. Along with reviewing the guidelines for universally designed kitchens, this course also answers the question: "what products are on the market that help us create kitchens for all ages. This course goes into greater depth with regard to the rationale and product review found in the one-hour version.

Barrier-free content. Price: $100 Register Now!

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Barrier-Free Design: Part 1 - Who Needs It & Why?
Course# 7323, 1 hour
Attendees will gain a greater understanding of who needs Barrier-Free design, and why design professionals should incorporate it into any project attempted. The statistical implications of the population of the disabled, the legal requirements for providing barrier-free design, and the importance of using surveys as tools in evaluating spaces with regard to barrier free design will also be discussed. Register Now!

Barrier-Free Design: Part 2 - What Is It?
Course# 7324, 1 hour
Any design professionals interested in learning additional parameters of barrier-free design, and the agencies responsible for legislating and assisting in a barrier-free built environment. This course includes barrier-free basics for accessible buildings. Register Now!

Barrier-Free Design: Part 3: What About The Children?
Course# 7325, 1 hour
Attendees will gain an understanding of the statistical rationales regarding the number of disabled children in the overall population of the disabled. Attendees will be introduced to the differences in anthropometrics for children using the Texas Accessibility Standards for children to compare and contrast these with the ADA requirements which are based on adult measurements. Register Now!

Make the Internet Your Competitive Edge
Course# 1750, 6 hours
2 parts 3-hours each part Register Now!

Make the Internet Your Competitive Edge Part 1:
Internet for the Web-footed
Course# 7154, 3 hours
In this short but comprehensive introduction to the Internet, find out what all the hype is about and why it is important for you to learn how to use it. This section will introduce you to what the Internet is, familiarize you with the terms and language, and tell you how to get connected.

Once connected, discover the wealth of information available and the basic navigation tools to use the web for business and personal gain. Learn from someone like yourself how to get beyond your fear and get over being web-footed. Register Now!

Make the Internet Your Competitive Edge Part 2:
Net-sense, The Business Value
Course# 7155, 3 hours
Time is money. In this session, find out how to use the Internet effectively for business, how to search for what you need instead of surf, how to find directories of specific information and how to use e-mail effectively.

Enhance your business by using the Internet. Tour sites on the Internet that can specifically aid designers now. Increase your NETsense. Find great sites to market yourself, network with other professionals, develop leads, access resources and other information and save valuable time. Register Now!