While traditional schooling is definitely an important part of a career in interior design, it's also important to remember that there are several other facets of education and training that go into this field.
Review the following article in order to learn more about Interior Design degrees.
Training for a Career in Interior Design
According to the National Council for Interior Design Accreditation, there are twenty-five states that require certification in order to be able to work as a licensed interior designer. In order to get this certification, you must meet all of the state's qualifications by passing a standardized test and completing various on-the-job training programs.
The degree or certificate that you'll receive varies between art institutions, which may offer interior design programs ranging from two to three years to a complete bachelor’s degree.
While attending a school for a degree in interior design, you'll need to study art, architecture, style, design, perspectives, furniture design, and even psychology. During your interior design program, you will likely be required to study a blue print of a room and come up with a viable design for the room combining everything you’ve learned about functionality, style, and spatial planning.
After you’ve finished learning everything you can from your interior design classes, you'll then have to undergo a period of apprenticeship where you'll study under an experienced designer for up to four years. In this setting, you'll use the information you learned in school in real world situations – working with clients to understand their needs and offering solutions based on your knowledge. It is this type of on-the-job training that will give you the real world experience that you can use to launch your own professional career.
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you'll need to take the test administered by the National Council for Interior Design Accreditation in order to get licensed. To qualify to take the exam, you'll need to have at least six years of combined education, training, and experience as an apprentice. This doesn't mean that you can take the licensing exam by being an assistant to an experienced interior designer without a formal education – at least two years of the combined six must be from a certified educational program.
Once you've passed the test for your license, you'll be given a title of Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer, depending on the state where you live and their individual requirements. However, the certification for interior designers isn’t over once the exam is over – even if you've passed the exam, you'll need to take continuing education classes to maintain your license. It's also recommended that interior designers gain membership in an association like The American Society of Interior Designers in order to maintain their credibility and bolster their credentials.
As your career progresses, you may find yourself seeking additional educational opportunities outside of those required to maintain your license. New software programs and handheld devices are already changing the way interior designers work, and this trend is sure to continue into the future. If you're serious about staying at the top of your profession, you'll need to be well versed in these new technological opportunities.
