Interior design is an exciting and dynamic field that blends artistic and technical skills. These professionals make interior spaces aesthetically pleasing and fully functional by planning and coordinating designs according to client needs and preferences. Interior designers have a positive job outlook ahead. Through 2032, employment in the field is projected to see a four percent increase in job openings, consistent with growth rates in other industries. The median salary for these professionals is $62,510 a year.
For those passionate about making a career in the field, a strong educational foundation is key to becoming a certified interior designer. While only a handful of states require interior designers to have a license or a college degree, these credentials show proven proficiency and a dedication to best practices.
What Skills Do You Need to Be an Interior Designer?
Interior designers should have a unique blend of creativity, technical knowledge, and interpersonal skills. A fresh design perspective is essential, allowing you to create innovative, eye-catching spaces that reflect a client’s vision. Interior designers must also be meticulous. From selecting color palettes to arranging furniture, each component of a design is carefully considered. Effective communication skills are crucial for gathering detailed input from clients and presenting concepts that not only fulfill the client’s brief but also fit the intended space. Additionally, interior designers must be able to use design software to create accurate renderings.
What Degree Do You Need to Be an Interior Designer?
In states where licensure is required, such as New York, a two-year or four-year degree is necessary to become an interior designer. College interior design degree programs include a combination of hands-on and theory-based learning to provide students with a wide scope of skills and knowledge. Villa interior design students have access to a Design Resource Room, Art Shop, and computer studios equipped with design software. These dedicated facilities provide the environment and tools interior designer students need to hone their craft and become well-rounded professionals. Graduates of this type of degree program will be versed in the principles, skills, and technology required to work as a Certified Interior Designer (CID) or interior design assistant.
Interior Design Curriculum
Interior designer classes go beyond learning how to decorate. Degree programs teach students to dive into problems, explore them creatively, and use technical solutions to make attractive interior spaces that are fully functional and accessible. Courses provide the mix of creative and technical skills needed to bring a space from design concept to unveiling to ongoing use. These classes include:
- Architecture
- Building codes
- Color theory and use
- Drafting and presentation techniques
- Drawing
- Ethics
- Furniture, finishes, and equipment
- Interior design history
- Principles of space planning and design
The total number of credit hours you’ll need in each of these areas depends on your career goals. Interior design assistants and fully licensed professionals have different requirements. Two-year and four-year degree options are available for Villa students, allowing you to choose a program that fits your goals.
Gaining Experience as an Interior Design Student
Many interior design programs require students to take on an internship to gain relevant work exposure and experience. At Villa, these can be a research, service, or seminar-related enrichment experience under the supervision of faculty. Our students have participated in internships at:
- Artisan Kitchens and Bath
- Best Tile
- Calico Corners
- Carmina Wood Morris, DPC
- Kittinger Gallery
- Marrano Homes
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Gaining experience is a must if you plan on becoming a certified interior designer. Internships offer you the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals, apply learned skills in real-world settings, and learn to navigate intricacies and challenges that can’t be taught in a classroom. Internships also provide valuable networking opportunities, which can be instrumental in launching your career after graduation.
As you gain experience, start putting together your portfolio. This is a visual showcase of your best work. Ideally, these projects highlight your range of design abilities and personal style. You can include work you completed through your internships as well as class assignments and personal projects.
Becoming a Certified Interior Designer
To become a certified interior designer, professionals must have a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours through a degree, certificate, or diploma program issued by an accredited institution. Additional requirements are set by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Villa’s program satisfies all requirements. New York also grants licensure based on the results of a standardized exam called the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). It contains three sections and you must pass all three to earn your license. The exam is not design-software specific but will require you to know the general techniques involved in using CAD software.
Supervised Professional Experience Qualification
To be a fully licensed interior designer, you need experience in the field. Professionals must typically earn a set number of hours working under the supervision of an advanced professional. In the state of New York, these professionals can be a:
- Fully licensed interior designer
- Professional engineer
- Professional architect
A director, sponsor, or supervisor-level interior designer approves these hours, which are put towards the hours necessary for New York State licensure. Quality interior design programs will help connect you to the supervised internship or volunteer experiences necessary to meet this requirement.
Additional Credentials and Certifications
Licensed interior designers can advance their skills and credentials further with additional certifications and continuing education. Earning these certifications can expand your design expertise and boost your career as a complement to your NCIDQ license. Most are available through professional organizations and trade associations within the design industry. Eligibility for additional certifications varies but always requires full licensure.
Becoming an Interior Design Assistant
Villa’s associate interior design assistant program sets students on track to meet the two-year secondary education minimum to become certified. Interior design assistants learn many of the same drawing, drafting, and computer rendering skills as interior designers. The main difference is that interior designer assistants play more of an administrative and collaborative role, supporting interior designers and working closely with them to develop and execute concepts.
Follow Your Passion at Villa
Villa offers both a BFA program and an AAS program in interior design. We prepare our students for exciting interior design careers in commercial, residential, and historical preservation fields. Reach out today to learn more about our programs and facilities.
