Interior design courses | 11 things you must know about the course

Interior design courses | What do you need to know?

Interior design courses are undoubtedly getting popular among international students looking for the best education in the field. As a matter of fact, we all want a space that’s comfortable yet functional, and international universities understand this. Let’s take a deeper dive into what interior designing is, how to choose the right course, the skills you need in order to apply, and more!

But before we get started, let’s understand who an interior designer is-

Who is an interior designer?

An interior designer provides design concepts and space planning proposals. They will be involved until the full process is completed. Interior designers manage product and material specifications, as well as coordinate with traders to manage the project. 

Simply put, interior designers make interior spaces more spectacular by organizing them with proper structure, furnishings, and color schemes. They also add personal touches to create the perfect space for you. 

In addition to this, an interior design course teaches the students the art of knowing how to enhance the intrinsic characteristics of a place.

What can I do with an interior design degree?

As a matter of fact, many interior designers work closely with architects to help plan out how the inside of the establishment can enhance the efficiency of the space.

All in all, choosing a degree in interior designing allows you to explore careers like-

Career	Purpose
Space designing	You will design the indoor space, furnish the place, improve the structure, and more.
Exhibition designing	You will work and design large commercial spaces.
Theatre and film set designing	You will be the set designer or production designer. This also includes working with the director and producer to design and come up with ideas that will suit the story.
Merchandise designing	You will have to develop themes and visual concepts for events related to marketing.

Why should I pursue an interior design course?

In a world driven to pursue STEM courses and technical degrees like Engineering and Architecture, which are regardless noble pursuits if they make you happy, Interior design courses give you the satisfaction of making a house a home for its residents. 

As a matter of fact, interior designers improve the beauty and nature of an environment. So, if that sounds like something you’d like, interior design jobs are the best fit for you. 

All in all, a course in Interior design allows you to display your creative flair along with keeping you on your toes with the technical processes. Read further to choose from the best interior design courses.

What does an interior design course entail?

At university, they teach you the knowledge and techniques of interior designing through some of the best interior design courses. As it’s an upcoming field, it can be challenging to pursue this course, so it’s crucial to learn all techniques while building on your style. 

As a matter of fact, different interior design courses worldwide focus on the creative aspects of design. But simultaneously teach strong technical, management, and business skills to students. As has been noted, the course duration is generally 1 to 3 years. 

It’s important to note that you can be an interior designer without a degree. However, those with a professional degree are more preferred. Because having a degree in interior design gives you preference and allows you to learn a lot more. 

What to expect as an interior designer?

While interior designing is an exciting and creative profession, you also have to pay attention to some of its non-entertaining elements. Your job would also entail adhering to building and safety codes, making multiple color palette changes, reading blueprints, relearning the new updates on design software, etc. 

You must have specialized knowledge in areas such as design analysis, programming, interior construction, space planning, materials, equipment, and furnishings. 

When designing public spaces, you must design the layout in a way it’s accessible to people with disabilities.

Top 8 interior design courses

Since former education is better for interior designing courses, it’s essential you research all your options properly. Many interior designing professions demand a combination of professional experience, classroom education, and passing of a standardized exam. 

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) recognizes certain interior design schools. This signifies that the courses taught at these schools meet the highest standards for interior design education. Interior design course fees vary as per the program and the school.

This is a list of the top 8 interior design courses-

1. Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Arts is a specialized course you can take to get in-depth knowledge in one discipline, such as interior design. You can take this course after completing your bachelor’s degree. This is a two-year course that students can pursue part-time, full-time, correspondence, or distance mode.

MA eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree from a university that is recognized by the UGC (University Grants Commission) of India.
• 55% aggregate at graduation level.

2. Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

A Master of Fine Arts is a postgraduate degree that involves the study of visual and performing arts, including architecture and interior designing.

This is a two-year course that many universities offer specializations. 

There is a wide range of career opportunities available once you refine your skills in a particular field. 

MFA eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree (preferably BFA) from a recognized university.
• Have a minimum aggregate of 50% – 60%.

The eligibility criteria for universities may vary depending on the university of choice.

3. Master of Professional Studies (MPS)

The Master of Professional Studies combines the study of traditional graduate degrees (Masters of Arts, Masters of Science, etc) with industry-specific skills you can use in the workplace. 

This program offers theoretical and practical education for students who want to excel in their field.

 

4. Master of Interior Architecture

Master of Interior Architecture is a hybrid course, bringing interior design and architecture together. The degree gives you expert knowledge in designing the interiors of unique buildings. Your course may cover topics like interior design for commercial or healthcare buildings.

This course can help you develop skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and other organizational skills that will benefit you in the long run.  

Masters of Interior Architecture eligibility criteria

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• Minimum aggregate score (varies from university to university)
• Some universities have an upper age limit. 

5. Masters in Interior Design

This is a postgraduate degree program that teaches students the art of changing the living space into an effective setting for everyday use. This program talks all about space and different aspects of it, like scale, configuration, light sources, materials, and more.

This course will help develop your creative abilities and improve your interpersonal skills. Interior designers constantly need to make calculations, be precise, and learn to design software applications.

6. Masters in Product & Interior Design

The Masters in Product and Interior design offers students a methodological toolbox to enable them to design products effectively in a range of industrial sectors. This course teaches art, architecture, construction, and business.

7. Masters of Arts in Interior Design

The Masters of Arts in Interior design is a program for emerging designers who are interested in specializing in interior design. As a matter of fact, the program provides you with the tools and skills to become a professional in the industry.

8. Masters of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture & Design

This Master’s in Fine Arts program focuses on the theory of interior architecture and design and associated advanced techniques. The curriculum focuses on the concept and design development, research, innovative ideas, global issues, and traditional and digital media.

In addition to this, you can consider interior design diploma courses and certificate courses. The interior design courses teach you how to consider well-being, human health, and safety in the design process. Furthermore, they focus on fine-tuning your technical knowledge and honing your creativity. 

How to choose the right interior design course?

There aren’t many interior design course choices out there; however, you need to find one that’s the right fit for you. 

All in all, these are five key things to keep in mind before choosing a particular interior design course-

1. Make sure the CIDA accredits the university.
2. Understand which of these 2 – a focused or a flexible program – is better for you.
3. Check how relevant the course content is to the field. Some courses are more hypothetical and won’t give you as much practice in the field. 
4. Check the eligibility requirements and see if you meet them.
5. Understand if you want to work on large commercial projects like shopping centers and municipal buildings. Or if you want to design spaces in the domestic sector or just do it for families and friends. 

Post considering these five factors; you’ll make a better decision choosing an interior design course that’s right for you.

Top interior design universities in the world 

Now, if you’re considering becoming an interior designer, you have to know the best interior design universities in the world you can attend!

Hence, here are the top 10 interior design universities we have selected for you-

1. Florence Design Academy 
2. The Interior Design School
3. Savannah College of Art and Design
4. Pratt Institute
5. Rhode Island School of Design 
6. New York School of Interior Design 
7. Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London
8. Dublin Institute of Design
9. Ryerson University 
10. Syracuse University

What are the skills needed to become an interior designer?

You should possess a wide variety of interrelated skills to become an interior designer. Here are 15 of the most sought-after skills that you must focus on-

Skill Set 1	Skill Set 2	Skill Set 3
Aesthetic sense	Communication skills	Management skills
Creativity and attention to detail	Flexibility and adaptability	Understanding of spatial balance
Organization and time management	Problem-solving skills	Budgeting skills
Basic hand-drawing skills	Visualization skills	Color basics knowledge
Computer skills	Trend identification	Interpersonal skills

Interior design salary 

There are many factors that play a role in deciding the salary for interior designers, such as-

• The company
• Experience
• Institute of graduation
• Skills 

You can earn anywhere between 48,700 USD (lowest) to 136,000 USD (highest) per year. 

Key takeaways

• If you are planning to do a Bachelor’s or a Master’s in interior design at a top interior design school, create a portfolio of your work. 
• A great portfolio can certainly pave the way to your dream school. 
• Since using good quality material is essential in interior designing, it’s important you manage your finances well. 
• Remember, quality doesn’t always mean expensive. 
• As a matter of fact, a career in any field requires dedication, aptitude, hard work, and patience, and interior designing is no exception. 
• The skills you come out with at the end of your course would be the key to a long and lucrative career in the interior designing field.

If you’re intrigued and want to learn more about this field or have any doubts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or comment below!

Liked this blog? Then, read Top 7 study abroad consultants in India.

FAQ

Q1. Which are the best countries for an interior design course?

Answer- Some of the top countries for an interior design course are-

1. USA
2. UK
3. Canada
4. China
5. Japan

Q2. Who is the best interior designer in the world?

Answer- According to Architectural Digest 2022, Amy Lau Design is the #1 interior designer in the world.

Q3. Is math required for interior design?

Answer- Interior designers are typically expected to have strong mathematical skills. In order to generate correct floor plans, they must grasp fundamental geometry and how to compute measures.