3 answers
Fara
Student
Lagos, Nigeria
5
Questions
Asked
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Can I do interior design with a degree in Urban Planning?
I've currently got an offer from Sheffield on their Urban Planning Course (which is highly ranked in the uk) I originally applied for their architecture course because I hope to have interior architecture as my career goal..
So what I'm asking is, is it possible to get a degree in urban planning and still come out with a career in interior architecture, or once I go through with urban planning, my dreams of getting into interior architecture become slim to none?
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3 answers
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
94
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
That's a great question, and it's smart to think about it carefully. Urban planning and interior architecture are connected, but they focus on different things. Urban planning deals with cities, policies, and how spaces work for communities. Interior architecture is more about designing buildings and interiors.
If you study urban planning, you won't automatically be ready for interior architecture jobs, as those roles often require a strong design portfolio and knowledge of design software.
However, studying urban planning doesn't mean you can't pursue interior architecture later. You might need to work on a design portfolio, learn software like AutoCAD or SketchUp, and maybe take additional courses or a master's in interior architecture. Many people transition into design roles through further education, especially if they have a solid planning background.
Think about what you want from your undergraduate studies. If you love creating spaces in design studios, architecture or interior architecture might be the way to go. But if you're also interested in how cities and spaces work for people, urban planning can still get you there, though it might take some extra steps. It's not impossible, just a bit more complex.
If you study urban planning, you won't automatically be ready for interior architecture jobs, as those roles often require a strong design portfolio and knowledge of design software.
However, studying urban planning doesn't mean you can't pursue interior architecture later. You might need to work on a design portfolio, learn software like AutoCAD or SketchUp, and maybe take additional courses or a master's in interior architecture. Many people transition into design roles through further education, especially if they have a solid planning background.
Think about what you want from your undergraduate studies. If you love creating spaces in design studios, architecture or interior architecture might be the way to go. But if you're also interested in how cities and spaces work for people, urban planning can still get you there, though it might take some extra steps. It's not impossible, just a bit more complex.
Adaobi Maryann Ezeogidi
Medical Assistant
33
Answers
Abia, AB
Updated
Adaobi Maryann’s Answer
Dear Fara,
You can achieve whatever dreams you have in life as long as you remain determined and focused.
I know a woman who, from childhood, dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, life circumstances; including her parents’ financial challenges, led her down a different career path. Today, at 60 years old, she has enrolled in law school. Thankfully, she can now afford it, and she describes this season of her life as deeply fulfilling and joyful.
In your case, there are several realistic ways to achieve your goal of interior architecture:
1. Proceed with your degree in Urban Planning, then pursue a Master’s degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture afterward.
2. While studying Urban Planning, you can also obtain professional training in interior design by enrolling in short certificate courses that build your technical and creative skills.
3. Alongside your Urban Planning degree, you may choose to train as an interior design apprentice through volunteer work or internships to gain hands-on experience.
Another option would be to pursue a full degree in Interior Design after completing Urban Planning, although this route will take a longer time to complete.
Just as I mentioned at the beginning, please do not lose focus. Determination and discipline will guide you through whatever path you choose, and with consistency, you can absolutely arrive at your desired destination.
Thank you
You can achieve whatever dreams you have in life as long as you remain determined and focused.
I know a woman who, from childhood, dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, life circumstances; including her parents’ financial challenges, led her down a different career path. Today, at 60 years old, she has enrolled in law school. Thankfully, she can now afford it, and she describes this season of her life as deeply fulfilling and joyful.
In your case, there are several realistic ways to achieve your goal of interior architecture:
1. Proceed with your degree in Urban Planning, then pursue a Master’s degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture afterward.
2. While studying Urban Planning, you can also obtain professional training in interior design by enrolling in short certificate courses that build your technical and creative skills.
3. Alongside your Urban Planning degree, you may choose to train as an interior design apprentice through volunteer work or internships to gain hands-on experience.
Another option would be to pursue a full degree in Interior Design after completing Urban Planning, although this route will take a longer time to complete.
Just as I mentioned at the beginning, please do not lose focus. Determination and discipline will guide you through whatever path you choose, and with consistency, you can absolutely arrive at your desired destination.
Thank you
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Fara,
Becoming an interior designer is an amazing goal! It is possible to become an interior designer with a degree in urban planning, but I don't think I would recommend it. You can be an interior designer without a degree or with minimal formal education. It's not a protected designation in the UK or in most countries. Your skills are going to be more important than your degree. The rub is of course that you have to find someone to hire you into a job or customers who are willing to pay for your services if you have your own business.
When you start your career, you are going to compete with people who have degrees in interior design or interior architecture. You are going to learn some of the skills you use as an interior designer in urban planning, but there is a lot more to learn and use as an interior designer. You are going to have a hard time putting together a strong portfolio for interior design while you are busy doing projects for urban planning. You can try to compensate and get practical experience in the interior design field by doing internships and networking. But why put yourself at a disadvantage at this early stage when you have a clear goal?
I would recommend to look for interior design or interior architecture programs as the most direct path to become an interior designer. If you can not find a place, urban planning is a possibility, but you might have to do a postgraduate diploma or a masters in interior design for your career to take off. Either way, make sure you get hands-on experience in interior design as early as you can and document your process and your results so you have a strong portfolio.
I would also keep in mind that you are from Nigeria, going to the UK to study. You might stay in the UK, you might return to Nigeria at some point in the future or you might end up in a different country. It would be better to get a degree for the profession you want to pursue because educational requirements might change in the future and different countries might have different educational and licensing requirements.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.interiordesignershub.co.uk/blog/how-to-become-an-interior-designer-in-the-uk-your-complete-step-by-step-guide
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/interior-design
https://www.nda.ac.uk/blog/become-an-interior-designer/
Becoming an interior designer is an amazing goal! It is possible to become an interior designer with a degree in urban planning, but I don't think I would recommend it. You can be an interior designer without a degree or with minimal formal education. It's not a protected designation in the UK or in most countries. Your skills are going to be more important than your degree. The rub is of course that you have to find someone to hire you into a job or customers who are willing to pay for your services if you have your own business.
When you start your career, you are going to compete with people who have degrees in interior design or interior architecture. You are going to learn some of the skills you use as an interior designer in urban planning, but there is a lot more to learn and use as an interior designer. You are going to have a hard time putting together a strong portfolio for interior design while you are busy doing projects for urban planning. You can try to compensate and get practical experience in the interior design field by doing internships and networking. But why put yourself at a disadvantage at this early stage when you have a clear goal?
I would recommend to look for interior design or interior architecture programs as the most direct path to become an interior designer. If you can not find a place, urban planning is a possibility, but you might have to do a postgraduate diploma or a masters in interior design for your career to take off. Either way, make sure you get hands-on experience in interior design as early as you can and document your process and your results so you have a strong portfolio.
I would also keep in mind that you are from Nigeria, going to the UK to study. You might stay in the UK, you might return to Nigeria at some point in the future or you might end up in a different country. It would be better to get a degree for the profession you want to pursue because educational requirements might change in the future and different countries might have different educational and licensing requirements.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
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