In today’s dynamic interior design profession, the requirement is no longer digital literacy as an added advantage but as a necessity. With this understanding, the Interior Design Department at JD School of Design recently conducted the Advanced Level SketchUp & V-Ray Workshop. This workshop was an initiative to update students on advanced skills and knowledge in SketchUp and enable them to apply these professional practices in their future design careers.

Enhancing Interior Design Capabilities

The workshop’s overall objective was very simple yet very ambitious: to enable students to achieve a very high level of knowledge in SketchUp. It was carefully designed so that, by the end, participants could demonstrate advanced modelling techniques by applying their newly acquired skills to real-world design projects.

Comprehensive Objectives

To achieve this aim, the workshop focused on several key objectives:

• Advanced Modelling Skills and Knowledge: complex modelling techniques and advanced tools and plug-ins were taught at this workshop. This knowledge lies at the root of rendering high-quality renders into professional presentations.
• Hands-on Experience: The workshop delivered hands-on experience with advanced tools, techniques, and best practices that enable students to apply directly what has been learnt in their projects.

Purpose and Vision

This advanced workshop was taken to enhance knowledge and skills in using SketchUp for advanced and professional projects. In filling the gap between the basics and how they are applied at an advanced level, the workshop sought to prepare students for real-world design challenges. The focus is on building students’ skills in digital modelling, rendering, and project presentation through practical learning.

Achieving Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, students attained several key learning outcomes:

• Using Advanced Tools

Participants learned how to demonstrate skill in using advanced tools of SketchUp, such as Sandbox tools and Solid tools. They also became familiar with how to create and manipulate dynamic components; this is necessary for efficient and complex designs.

• Complex Modelling

Students will be taught how to create complex geometries and organic shapes using groups, components, and plugins. In addition, they learn how to include various plugins and extensions that help them enhance their modelling skills.

• Producing High-Quality Renders

The bulk of the workshop was on how to create photorealistic renders using V-Ray, which is a rendering software that is compatible with SketchUp. Students are also taught how to produce professional-quality animations and walkthroughs so that work can be presented most effectively.

Presenting Work Professionally

Participants were trained in the use of scenes, styles, and layouts to clearly and compellingly present their models. They also prepared detailed presentations and documentation suitable for professional and client presentations.

Best Practices and Optimisation techniques applied.

This workshop was aimed at helping participants understand the reasons for the various optimisation techniques, model performance, and how to deal with large files. Best practice input regarding organising and managing one’s SketchUp files to engender efficient workflow and productivity was taught.

Participation in Real-World Projects

Finally, students were empowered to create real-world design projects that would work out solutions to real-world problems using advanced skills in SketchUp. This collaborative group project facilitated the development of teamwork and project management skills.

A Transformative Experience

Ms.Keerthana organised an Advanced Level SketchUp & V-Ray Workshop, as more of a learning experience than training, aimed at equipping students with advanced skills and knowledge in the competitive interior design field. The workshop has helped the participants not only to develop their technical skills but also to bring visions into their professional practice to enable them to take off in successful design careers.

The students of JD School of Design, a top design school in Bangalore progress further, no doubt the skills and knowledge shared in this workshop will be used as the foundation for their succeeding projects in testing the bounds of creativity and innovation in interior design.