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Degrees and Schools

Most entry-level interior designers have a bachelor's degree in interior design from a four-year college or design school. Upon graduation, they qualify for a one to three year apprenticeship. Two- and three- year associate's degree programs are available through vocational and design schools, and graduates qualify as assistants to designers. Applicants to educational programs are expected to provide creative samples and have completed basic art courses.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design and Council for Interior Design Accreditation accredit most schools.

Classes

Interior design students usually study:

• History of decorative arts
• Color theory
• Spatial planning
• Sketching and computer-aided design (CAD)
• Perspective and scale
• Textiles and lighting
• Furniture design
• Ergonomics
• Architecture
• Safety and ethics
• Business operations
• Commercial design

Online Classes and Programs

Interior design programs that are offered online offer flexibility and convenience. However, such programs are less likely to assist with apprenticeship placement, online credits may not transfer to brick-and-mortar schools or other online programs, and very few if any online schools are currently accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design or Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Employers hold such accreditation in high regard, so it is important to consider this when evaluating online programs.

Employment Requirements

A bachelor's degree in interior design is considered the minimum requirement by employers who are seeking apprentices. Companies who are hiring assistants for their interior designers often consider graduates of associate's degree programs. A portfolio is typically required.

Once an interior design apprentice has completed six years of combined education and experience including two years of postsecondary education, they are eligible to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification's licensing exam. Approximately half of the states in the U.S. require a license as a Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer. In order to retain their licensure, interior designers must take continuing education courses.

How to Evaluate Schools

Aspiring interior designers should consider asking the following questions when comparing two- and four-year programs:

• Location - Is a license required for interior designers in the desired state of employment?
• Accreditation - Has NASAD or CIDA accredited the school? Has an online program also been accredited by direct-learning organizations?
• Course offerings - Does the program offer a comprehensive list of courses to support specific career goals within the various applications of interior design such as residential, commercial or institutional?
• Faculty - Are the faculty who will be teaching currently working as interior designers in industry?
• Tuition and financial assistance - What scholarships, loans and work study programs are available? Does the school provide sufficient resources to students so they can take advantage of these resources?
• School and class size - Class size is important in courses where design is taught to facilitate interactive learning from teachers and fellow students. What is the student-faculty ratio in the various courses?
• Apprenticeships - Does the school offer assistance to students in getting apprenticeships or assistant jobs upon graduation? How successful is the program in placing graduates?

Interior Designer Job Description

Ambiance can make all the difference in a home or commercial building. Interior designers are skilled in combining furniture, fabrics, lighting, flooring, wall treatments, window treatments, fixtures, artwork and accessories to create specific moods and functions in spaces. Hotels, airports, restaurants, hospitals, retail stores, shopping malls, theaters and schools hire interior designers to create environments that boost profits, productivity and property value. Homeowners hire interior designers to create or enhance a living space to suit their lifestyle and comfort.

Decorating, which is a part of interior design, involves:

• Choosing a style and color palette that reflects a client's tastes or requirements.
• Establishing a cost estimate and timeline and for a project.
• Selecting components such as textiles, furniture, artwork and lighting that are appropriate for a space and within a client's budget.
• Sketching or using computer-aided design (CAD) to create a guide for placement of pieces in a space, paint colors and flooring.
• Overseeing installation of a design by working with a team to place pieces, apply wall treatments, hang curtains, etc.

In addition, interior designers frequently modify a space with architectural elements, including:

• Redesigning the layout of a space for improved traffic flow, use of light, etc.
• Planning and providing layouts for new construction or remodeling; incorporating stairways, entryways, elevators and other key elements.
• Incorporating architectural details such as arches, crown molding, built-in shelving, windows and fireplaces.

Interior designers work with contractors, architects and electricians, so a designer must be able to read blueprints and comply with safety regulations such as fire codes and building codes.

In-store designers sell merchandise in addition to providing design services. They provide the same kind of decorating guidance, though more from a distance, and choose design elements from a specific catalog.