Interior stylists are behind practically every still-life image you see in editorials and advertising. It's a job that requires much more than an eye for style – interior stylists also need skills in trend forecasting, location scouting, prop sourcing and communication. During this capsule evening course, Melinda Ashton Turner, a Stylist of the Decade nominee, demystifies the role of the interior stylist, giving advice on everything from how to break into the industry, to how to get your work published.

Using her compound experience as an interior stylist, art director and Guardian columnist, Melinda will provide an overview of the industry and the many varied duties of the role. As well as discussing the creative side of interior styling, she'll share practical insights on how to get a job, what qualifications clients look for, and how to source products.

The course also includes a practical exercise on the process of being commissioned, which will help you to understand how to interpret briefs and explain design concepts to clients. Whether you have some experience in design or are looking to change career, this is the ultimate introduction to the practicalities of one of the industry's most coveted jobs.

This course is for you if…

• You think you've got good taste and want to know if you could put it to work professionally
• You have already dabbled in interior styling but want to know more about the industry
• You want to know what sort of experience, skills and contacts you need to make a successful go of interior styling
• You're a stylist, blogger or student who has done some interior styling for photographs, and want to learn more about promoting your work and gaining commissions

Course description

This evening course offers professional advice on life as an interior stylist, with a focus on the vocational aspects of the job. Attendees will have the opportunity to get involved in a practical exercise where they explain design concepts to a client through role-play. Topics covered include:

• Definition of an interior stylist
• The day-to-day operations of interior styling
• How to get into the styling industry
• What qualifications and skills are required
• The journey from conceptualisation of ideas to published work
• An introduction to the role of the photographer in interior styling
• Mediums and publishing avenues for interior stylists' work
• Who commissions stylists – and who they commission
• The differences between working as a freelancer and being on-staff
• Business tools
• How to promote yourself
• Practical exercise: being commissioned by a client – how to interpret a brief and explain concepts to clients
• Q&A and group discussion

Tutor profile

Melinda Ashton Turner originally trained as an interior designer and has been working as an interior stylist for the publishing industry for two decades. Over the course of her career she worked both as a freelance and on-staff, in the UK and Australia. Her work covers both editorial and advertising along with consultancy, designing, lecturing and events. She has worked as Style Editor of Australian Vogue Living and Decoration Editor of Homes & Gardens UK, as well as a columnist for both the Guardian and The Sunday Times. Find out more about Melinda on her website.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website