Equipment & Resources
What Will You Need To Study?
The equipment and resources you require may differ dependent on the level and subject that you study
Computer & Software
All NDA Diploma and Degree courses require access to a computer with an active internet connection in order to use the interactive learning resources on the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS).
This can be either a Windows or Mac OS X based machine.
N.B. In-Studio Diploma students will require access to a portable laptop computer for In-Studio sessions.
Computer Specifications
Operating System
Windows 7 (minimum); Windows 10 and above (recommended), Mac OS X 10.10 (minimum); macOS 10.13 (recommended)
Processor
64-bit Intel CPU (Intel Core Duo CPU, 2 GHz or faster recommended)
RAM
4 GB (minimum); 8 GB (recommended)
Hard Drive
12 GB free space (not including software installation)
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768 or greater
Browser
Latest versions of: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome (recommended for VLS use), Firefox, Safari (macOS).
Software Suggestions
Diploma Students
An office package, such as MS Office or OpenOffice; which includes a word processor, a spreadsheet application and a presentation application (e.g., Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
Please Note: Diploma courses teach manual drafting techniques, therefore CAD software such as AutoCAD is not required to complete your course. AutoCAD is however, still free to access for all NDA students*.
Degree Students
A graphical editing application, such as Adobe Photoshop. A computer aided design application, such as SketchUp (free), AutoCAD (Free to all NDA students*) or VectorWorks.
Please visit the official software websites below for full minimum system requirements;
Design Equipment & Materials
In addition to your online study and use of computer software, students may/will also be required to complete work by hand. Please see below a list of recommended design equipment, materials and resources for each NDA course subject.
The majority of recommended items are available to purchase online as a ‘kit’ from the NDA Art Shop, at student prices.
Interior Design
Recommended (to complete work by hand)
- A3 Paper
- A3 Tracing Paper
- A3 Card or Mountboard
- HB Pencil
- Fine-line Drawing Pens 0.5, 0.3 and 0.1
- Scale Ruler
- Set square (this does not have to be adjustable)
- Circle Template
- Scalpel and spare blades
- Hard Edged Rubber
Optional (recommended for a professional finish)
- A3 or A2 drawing board with parallel motion
- 0.5 Propelled Pencil & Refills
- Masking Tape
- 30cm Flexicurve
- 30cm Ruler (plastic)
- 30cm Ruler (steel)
- Putty Rubber (Soft)
- Cutting Mat
- Artist Pastels and/or Pastel Pencils
- Colour Wheel
Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making
Essential (to complete your course)
- Access to a Basic Domestic Sewing Machine
- Curtain Pelmet & Return
- Button Maker
- Pencil Pleat Heading Tape (7.5cm) – 2 Metres
- Interlining – 1.5 Metres
- A3 Size Heavy Duty Buckram/Vilene (Approx 30cm Width)
- Continuous Zipping – 3/4 Metre & Zip Slider
- Self Adhesive Soft Loop Velcro – 1/2 Metre
- Sew On Velcro (Loop 3m & Hook 10cm)
- Fusible Buckram (Stiff) – 3 Metres
- Piping Cord – 4 Metres
- 4 × Lead Penny Weights
- 6 × Plastic Rings & 2 x Brass Rings
- 8 × Plastic Buttons (front and back)
- 3 × Safety Toggles
Optional (recommended for a professional finish)
- Access to a Professional Sewing Machine
- A1 Cutting Mat
- Cutting Grid
- Cushion Template
- Rotary Head Rail
- Rotary Cutter & Spare Blade
- 60cm Ruler (steel)
- Fabric Scissors
Fabric Requirements
Garden Design
Recommended (to complete work by hand)
- A3 Paper
- A3 Tracing Paper (60gsm) or Layout Paper for Pencil Drawings
- A3 Tracing Paper (90 or 120gsm) for Inked Plans
- Fine-line Drawing Pens 0.5, 0.3 and 0.1
- HB Pencil
- Scale Ruler
- 30cm Ruler (steel)
- Set Square
- Circle Template
- Compass with Extension Arm
- Scalpel & Spare Blades
Optional (recommended for a professional finish)
- A3 or A2 drawing board with parallel motion
- 0.5 Propelled Pencil & Refills
- Adjustable Set Square
- Masking Tape
- Putty Rubber (Soft)
- Hard Edged Rubber
- Artist Pastels and/or Pastel Pencils
- Colour Wheel
- A3 Graph Paper
Other Resources
Recommended
- Access to an A3 Scanner or Photocopier
Optional
- Access to a Digital Camera
Degree Students
- Access to books or recommended reading online
NDA Art Shop
Please visit NDA’s online Art Shop which provides bespoke Interior Design, Garden Design and also Soft Furnishing & Curtain Making Kits. These include the essential equipment you will need to study each specific NDA course plus optional items that will allow you to complete your work to a professional finish.
