Interior design degree programs prepare students for the challenges facing those who design living and working spaces. You won’t cut it (not just the fabric) without an interior design degree.
Featured Schools with Interior Design Degree Programs
- Art Institute of Pittsburgh: Online
Westwood College: Los Angeles (Los Angeles CA)
Art Institutes: The Art Institute of Atlanta
Because it’s an interior designer’s job to make their clients’ living spaces look as good as possible, they’re in charge of choosing color combinations, patterns, arranging furniture, even helping lay out floor plans for new constructions.
With the skills they get from an interior design degree program, talented designers can make small, cramped apartments feel like spacious luxury condos using the right materials, colors, and accents.
Though many think interior design is nothing more than choosing pretty colors, there is a great deal more to the job than meets the eye.
Beyond the requisite eye for aesthetics, interior designers must be aware of local building and fire codes, access for disabled individuals, and a host of other considerations. Interior design degree programs teach students how to follow these codes, along with many others.
Types of Interior Design Degrees Available
There are a variety of interior design degrees to choose from, including two- and three-year certificate and associate degree programs, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.
Graduates holding professional certificates and interior design associate degrees are qualified to work as assistants to professional designers, while those earning an interior design degree at the bachelor’s level may enter apprenticeship programs upon graduation before working on their own.
Interior Design Career Average Salary
- The average salary for interior designers is $44,950.
What an Interior Design Degree Program Teaches You
Interior design degrees teach all aspects of design, and most contemporary programs focus on the technology available to facilitate design; for example, many students learn computer-assisted drawing (CAD) programs.
Students are also trained in spatial planning, ergonomics, and architectural principles.
Many interior design degrees also offer coursework in color and fabric choice and coordination, furniture design, and room orientation.
Students may even seek training in philosophical grounding in ethics and psychology, to understand the underlying principles of what makes a room functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
Featured Careers
Questions to Ask About Interior Design Degree Programs
1. Am I talented at arranging my living space to be as functional and beautiful as it can be?
2. Do I have an eye for aesthetics and design, and can I apply that talent to interior living and working spaces?
3. Can I exercise my creativity while following strict regulations and guidelines?
Sources: iida.org; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos293.htm (visited November 1, 2011).
