What Type of Education Do Interior Designers Need?
An interior designer does much more than make rooms look pretty. If you’re hoping to succeed in the field, you’ll need a solid education in everything from design concepts to project management to computer drafting, preferably from an accredited university.
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Duties
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Interior designers help create functional, attractive, healthy environments that meet their clients' needs and tastes. An interior designer may work for an architectural or design firm, a retail store, for a corporation or in an independent studio. As a designer, you may work on the renovation or construction of new homes, government buildings, museums and theaters, restaurants, hotels, airports, hospitals and more.
Required Skills
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As an interior designer, you’ll need to communicate well with your clients, gauge their wants and needs, and then apply design concepts to meet their needs. According to the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), you will likely work as a team with other licensed professionals, and should have a strong understanding of drawings and specifications, construction practices, materials and finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures and equipment. You may be called upon to prepare bids and contracts, and to evaluate the design solutions you put in place. You should also have a strong foundation in time management, computer drafting and design, and business and project management.
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Levels of Education
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Depending on how far you’d like to advance in the profession, you can pursue a certificate in interior design, an associate in interior design or a bachelor's degree in interior design. You can also pursue advanced degrees in related subjects, such as a master’s degree in business administration.
Accreditation
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The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recommends that professionals attend a college or university that is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Education (CIDA)--formerly FIDER. This nonprofit organization has created standards for interior design education that will prepare students for the national certification exam administered by the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). The CIDA website lists accredited universities by state.
Choosing a School
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To choose a school that’s right for you, ASID recommends that you first investigate the programs that are available in your area, from two-year and four-year universities to smaller art college and design schools. Once you’ve narrowed your search, find out what type of design the school specializes in, whether it’s accredited and how much it will cost. Make an appointment with a faculty member to find out more about the classes offered, the school’s philosophy and the success rate of graduates.
Online Learning
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ASID also reports that several schools offer interior design courses online. While these may not prepare you for the NCIDQ exam, these programs might give you a good basis in interior design principles. As of 2010, ASID allows student members from just five online programs--Rhodec International, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Academy of Art, Limperts Academy and Westwood College.
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References
- Photo Credit Young woman looking to the design drawing image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
