Study Interior Design & Become A Professional Interior Designer

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By viryabo

The exciting world of interior design, though a professional career, is both flamboyant and can be highly lucrative, and for those who want to study interior design, there are many things to consider.

If you do plan to study interior design, you need to first ask yourself a few questions.

  • Where do I study interior design?
  • What kind of interior design degree program should i pursue?
  • What kinds of requirements do i need to enrol for an interior design study?
  • What are the different job fields available within the interior design industry?
  • How am i going to pay for my interior design course?

It is important to note that interior designers are not to be confused with interior decorators. There is a technical aspect to studying interior design that involves the development of drawing plans, blueprints and the use of 3D interior design software.

The technicalities normally attached to the interior design profession is not really required of interior decorators. As an interior decorator, all that may be required is a great sense of taste for what looks good, and a decorator is almost ready to go.

Where Do I Study Interior Design?

Canada

To study interior design in Canada, you need to go through a college or attend a university to study.

However, a degree is not required to become registered as an interior designer. What you basically need to be admitted to study interior design is mainly based on your academic marks and your creative abilities.

This creative ability must be demonstrated with a portfolio submission of your artistic and creative works.

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United States

In the United States of America, unlike in Canada, to study interior design, many universities and colleges of the arts offer four year BA degrees in interior design studies.

Masters degrees, MS, MA, MFA and the MID in interior design are also available. However, some design colleges offer interior design studies as stand-alone program.

Europe

In most of Europe there is what you call interior architecture and interior design.

Interior architecture is a profession comparable to architecture or structural engineering professions. Interior design on the other hand is considered as a trade comparable to carpenters.

In Germany, interior architecture is being taught at polytechnics, universities or universities of applied sciences.

South Africa

To study interior design in South Africa, you need to apply to interior design programs that are offered at universities, universities of technology and at registered private colleges.

Interior design studies has been in South Africa as far back as the 70's, and this education is at par with art and design programs offered in most of the developed countries of the world.

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Find Colleges Here

Study Interior Design at bespoke colleges, online or on campus & obtain a certificate, associate or bachelors degree in interior design.

Finding The Best Interior Design Schools & Colleges

It is imperative that as an intending student who wishes to study interior design, you must be aware that there may be many schools and colleges that offer this enjoyable professional course, but choosing the right place to study will determine how good you will become as an interior designer, and how well you may be received by future employers and even high profile clients that may or will require your services.

The best places to look out for are the bespoke schools and colleges that offer this course in great detail, and will prepare you for the various choices and niches to be found in the interior design industry.

And in the event that finding a good interior design school in your locality poses a problem, many of these bespoke colleges do offer online studies that are as detailed and comprehensive as an on campus study of interior design and interior architecture.

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To Study Interior Design, What Type Of Degree Course Should Be Pursued

A formal interior design training is essential to be an interior designer in a highly competitive but lucrative market in the building industry. The decision that needs to be taken is "which program to study".

Associates Degree in Interior Design

Graduates of this program can become specialists in relating space and people. If you desire to pursue this program, you will discover that the school curriculum encourages the student to experiment with:

  • form and space
  • colour and texture
  • technical expertise
  • environmental and global awareness
  • expressions of creative sensibilities

Students initially start by:

  • relating design theory and concepts
  • drafting using CAD software programs
  • the development of a simple room and dwellings
  • residential and commercial projects
  • retail and merchandising
  • corporate and hospitality projects intended for diverse social and economic populations

The interior design course work will include:

  • the basics of 2D and 3D
  • space planning & design
  • learning about lighting
  • colours
  • Materials
  • the history of art
  • design and architecture

An associate's degree in interior design study can be enough to get help you get your foot in the door of the industry.

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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The curriculum for this Interior Design program will teach you the elements and principles of design with a practical application. You learn about problem solving in space planning and this is supplemented with general education coursework. Students will have the ability to explore creative designs, the business aspects of interior design and the use of CAD (computer aided designs) technology.

After a success study, interior design graduates of this program will become specialists in the relationship between people and spaces, they become creative and detail-minded with a desire to improve the conditions of our built environment.

Students can discover how interiors, designed properly and inventively, can influence human interaction, emotional response and improve the quality of human lives.

Visual communication skills will be developed to enable transfer of clients ideas into reality.

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Online Bachelors degree in Interior Design

In a number of cases, students who wish to study interior design but are unable to attend classes at a university campus for one reason or another, can pursue an online degree in interior design.

They may have a tight schedule working part-time, taking care of family issues, or they may simply not have the ability to attend a local university.

Lucky for them a number of universities offer the program online, with accreditation from reputable institutions. When you opt to study interior design online, all college works are done through email and online forums. The online interior design course can be slowed down or accelerated to suit the students needs.

Most online bachelor's degrees interior design programs takes four years to complete. Online interior design studies offers the flexibility that fits a busy lifestyle. However, it takes discipline and motivation to stick with it.

Is this type of learning for you? You might want to assess your own goals before beginning any plans towards an interior design course study.

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What Is Required To Study Interior Design

To study Interior Design and receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree, you need to fulfil the following conditions:

  • The general requirements stated under Colleges of Arts and Sciences.
  • A total of 75 hours of art courses.
  • A foundation of fine arts courses
  • Required courses in art history
  • Credit hours selected from ceramics, advanced drawing, advanced design, printmaking, painting, photography, sculpture or visual communications.
  • Required fine arts courses in the interior design concentration.
  • Transfer students studying interior design must take a minimum of 12 credit hours of 100-level fine arts courses at University with 9 hours being in their area of specialisation.

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Available Jobs In The Interior Design And Building Industry

On completion of the study, interior design professionals will have the ability to combine the elements of practicality with artistry to create functional living.

An interior design graduate will possess an understanding of architecture and building trends as well as possess the intangible benefit of creating seamless transitions within a multi-room design scheme.

Interior designers can work as self employed designers or find jobs in:

  • Interior design firms
  • Architectural firms
  • Design departments of corporations and institutions
  • Carpet manufacturing industries
  • Furniture design and retail industries
  • Government departments
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Design magazine publications

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Some Interior Design Niches Of Specialisation

On successful completion of the basic interior design study, a professional interior designer branch out into specialised fields or niches found in the industry and can work as:

  • Stage set designers
  • Lighting design and lighting effects experts
  • Product developers
  • 3D Computer rendering experts
  • Facility managers
  • Historic preservation and restoration experts
  • Space planning consultants
  • Furniture designers and custom furniture producers
  • Specialists in kitchen and bathroom designs
  • Residential interior designers
  • Commercial interior designers
  • Exhibit designers

Study interior design and discover the vast choices and niches that are very interesting to work within, and how all of them are equally exciting and lucrative.

For a career interior designer, the 'sky is the limit'.

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How to Source For Funds To Study Interior Design

You might consider applying for financial aid to study interior design but it can be a bit complicated. You need to start the process of applying for aid at least three months before you plan on entering interior design institutes or university.

Try to get a head by enquiring about financial aid before you make your decision about which college to attend. Scholarships and grants are the best types of financial aid because you don't have to repay.

Outside funding is another type of financial aid worth considering. There are a variety of charities, businesses and community organisations that offer scholarships of this type to study interior design.

Start applying or sourcing for this even if you haven't decided on which school you'll enrol in for the study.

And there is self finance whereby the student has funds at their disposal to pursue an education and study interior design conveniently.

Whatever your decision may be, the earlier you start to seek and apply for aid, the better it is to get a head start on the application process.

You may be lucky to get priority funding to study interior design and other art related courses, enabling you to make better decisions on how to plan for studying interior design.

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HOW RELEVANT IS THE STUDY OF INTERIOR DESIGN TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

  • VERY RELEVANT TO THE BUILDING INDUSTRY - ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
  • NOT OF MUCH RELEVANCE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  • JUST A WASTE OF TIME!
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Study Interior Design & Become A Professional Interior Designer
Study Interior Design & Become A Professional Interior Designer

COPYRIGHT

Hub Pages Author - Viryabo

All rights reserved. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form or way.

Your Views Are Welcome

chiara 7 weeks ago

I'm really like the residential design, but I don't know if there are a master generally...it is still early to decide but I would love...thanks a lot :) bye...

viryabo profile image

viryabo Hub Author 2 months ago

Hello chiara. There are many aspects of interior design you can pick to specialise in. For example, you can specialise in:

Residential interiors

Commercial interiors (hotels, clubs, restaurants etc.)

Interior lighting design

Interior design consultation services

Stage set design

3D rendering and animation (for interiors projects)

Kitchen design and installation

There are many others, but when you begin your interior design course, you will have the opportunity to discover what you may really like to specialise in.

Best of luck.

chiara 2 months ago

hi, i'm an italian student and i think your article it's very good. Do you know what course is the best of interior design, because i'm very interested on study in the USA. thanks, bye!!

viryabo profile image

viryabo Hub Author 20 months ago

Thank you for such nice comments Teresa, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Take care and GodBless

eventsyoudesign profile image

eventsyoudesign 20 months ago

Great article. You really know how to present information and make it easy to read and understand. I think the Interior Design field is interesting. I studied Food Systems Management in college, but I have always been a creative person. I am glad I found your site and cannot wait to read more. Thanks! Teresa

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