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Should interior designers get some type of college degree before working If so what do you recommend for majors and/or colleges??
I'm in high school, and I'm not completely sure it I want to go to college or not.
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5 answers
Updated
sofia’s Answer
I would recommend to ask a few local stores if you can do a shadow day or interview some professional designers. They will provide experience , lessons learned and suggestions. Having a shadow day will help you experience if this is something you have a true passion in. Then look at your finances to see if you want to invest in a two year or 4+ year degree. to make sure you are getting a return on your investment and not feel overwhelmed with the loan payments. You want to look 5-10 years from now to be able to both plan backwards and forward. I do recommend some sort of education and course work in design/art. It will help you grow, gain insight and be cultured
Updated
Shrungali’s Answer
Yes, the interior designers definitely benefit from college, as it develops essential technical knowledge, creativity, and also an added competitive edge while searching for jobs. A formal education lays a very firm foundation in the principles of design, software, architecture, and project management. Most of the clients and employers prefer or require one to have a degree. Some states even require them to be licensed.
Recommended Degrees for Interior Designers:
Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design
It is by far the most received and suggested degree among interior designers. The design theory, architecture, space planning, color theory, lighting, textiles, and sustainability are usually embraced within this BFA or BS Interior Design.
Accredited programs-through organizations such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, or CIDA-ensure that you meet educational eligibility to qualify for certification exams, such as the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification).
Architecture
A degree in architecture will benefit an interior designer interested in the structural sides of design. The degree encompasses an advanced concept of building systems, materials, and methods of construction.
Interior Architecture
The Interior architecture develops the connection between architecture and interior design. This is a major that touches on more of the structural and spatial elements of design involved in renovation and remodeling among other technical details.
Fine Arts or Art History
A degree in the fine arts can offer a number of skills valuable in design work, such as creativity, knowledge of aesthetics, art movements, and history. But quite often, this degree is combined with an interior design focus for those interested in creative direction.
Sustainable Design or Environmental Design
With a growing concern for sustainability, sustainable design or environmental design degrees offer training in 'green' practices, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials that is finding an increasing role in today's interior design.
Recommended Colleges and Universities for Interior Design:
Following is a list of some popular colleges offering a well-recognized interior design course in the U.S.:
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Savannah, Georgia
With its high-demanding programs in design and the arts, SCAD hosts one of the most respected interior design programs in the country.
Parsons School of Design – New York, New York
Located in the hub of design, Parsons offers an exceptional BFA in Interior Design degree that is deeply rooted in innovative procedures and sustainability.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)—Provides, Rhode Island
RISD is known for its creative environment and excellent courses in art and design. It offers one of the most competitive BFA degrees in interior architecture.
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Pratt offers one of the best programs in interior design, maintaining an excellent balance between training in art and technique and valuable practical work experience.
University of Cincinnati – College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
Their program in interior design is ranked highly, as it equally balances creative teaching and technical training. The co-op program offers on-the-job training to the students.
New York School of Interior Design (NYSID)
Offering programs only in interior design, this school has one of the most comprehensive programs that take students from learning the basics of design to accomplishing intricate studio projects.
California College of the Arts (CCA)
CCA in San Francisco maintains excellent interior design programs and an expressed sustainability and social responsibility mission.
License and Certification:
Upon completion of a degree, many designers will pursue certification through the NCIDQ, which requires a combination of education and work experience. Several states require licensing for interior designers, so be sure to investigate your local jurisdiction.
While not always a requirement, the degree can help an interior designer by providing him/her with many technical, creative, and practical skills applied in this field of interior design that has become so competitive.
Good Luck
Recommended Degrees for Interior Designers:
Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design
It is by far the most received and suggested degree among interior designers. The design theory, architecture, space planning, color theory, lighting, textiles, and sustainability are usually embraced within this BFA or BS Interior Design.
Accredited programs-through organizations such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, or CIDA-ensure that you meet educational eligibility to qualify for certification exams, such as the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification).
Architecture
A degree in architecture will benefit an interior designer interested in the structural sides of design. The degree encompasses an advanced concept of building systems, materials, and methods of construction.
Interior Architecture
The Interior architecture develops the connection between architecture and interior design. This is a major that touches on more of the structural and spatial elements of design involved in renovation and remodeling among other technical details.
Fine Arts or Art History
A degree in the fine arts can offer a number of skills valuable in design work, such as creativity, knowledge of aesthetics, art movements, and history. But quite often, this degree is combined with an interior design focus for those interested in creative direction.
Sustainable Design or Environmental Design
With a growing concern for sustainability, sustainable design or environmental design degrees offer training in 'green' practices, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials that is finding an increasing role in today's interior design.
Recommended Colleges and Universities for Interior Design:
Following is a list of some popular colleges offering a well-recognized interior design course in the U.S.:
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Savannah, Georgia
With its high-demanding programs in design and the arts, SCAD hosts one of the most respected interior design programs in the country.
Parsons School of Design – New York, New York
Located in the hub of design, Parsons offers an exceptional BFA in Interior Design degree that is deeply rooted in innovative procedures and sustainability.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)—Provides, Rhode Island
RISD is known for its creative environment and excellent courses in art and design. It offers one of the most competitive BFA degrees in interior architecture.
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Pratt offers one of the best programs in interior design, maintaining an excellent balance between training in art and technique and valuable practical work experience.
University of Cincinnati – College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
Their program in interior design is ranked highly, as it equally balances creative teaching and technical training. The co-op program offers on-the-job training to the students.
New York School of Interior Design (NYSID)
Offering programs only in interior design, this school has one of the most comprehensive programs that take students from learning the basics of design to accomplishing intricate studio projects.
California College of the Arts (CCA)
CCA in San Francisco maintains excellent interior design programs and an expressed sustainability and social responsibility mission.
License and Certification:
Upon completion of a degree, many designers will pursue certification through the NCIDQ, which requires a combination of education and work experience. Several states require licensing for interior designers, so be sure to investigate your local jurisdiction.
While not always a requirement, the degree can help an interior designer by providing him/her with many technical, creative, and practical skills applied in this field of interior design that has become so competitive.
Good Luck
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jasmine !
If you do not want to go to college then you can make that choice, however my advice is to get a Bachelors Degree. It's good that you are asking about majors and colleges and I would like to share some advice for you.
The major programs that you will want to look for at colleges would be Interior Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Graphic Design or Industrial Design. My suggestion is to find a college that offers a major in Interior Design so that you can have a specific degree in the specific career. Some of the colleges that offer this major and how close they are to Elmont are Fashion Institute of Technology which is 30 miles from you, School of Visual Arts also about 30 miles from you. The two further colleges would be Marist College which is 90 miles away and Cazenovia College which is 45 miles from where you live. Also check out St. John Fisher University's Interior Design program which is 200 miles from you in Rochester. You can start by going to these colleges' websites and reading about their Interior Design programs to see which one you like.
It's just going to be an easier way to go to college for this career. At college, you will systematically learn all you need to know in an episodic path, be assigned projects that would help you start and build your portfolio, meet other students that you can collaborate with and learn of opportunities from, obtain a Bachelors Degree, and learn all about the various networking and trade organizations that will help you in your future career. If you decide not to do an academic route for this career, it will be up to you to create ways to achieve these things on your own.
Doing a Bachelors Degree online would not be the same. You wouldn't have the immediate and continual eyes on your work and spontaneous feedback that you would get in a college classroom by a professor. You will have to really look for projects and groups to network with and try to meet in a meaningful way other people that are in the profession. All this and you'd still have to pay tuition online while not having a robust and lively academic experience. If it is the cost that worries you about college, remember that there are very many scholarships and Federal Financial Aid that can help you with the cost.
To do this without any degree would not be advisable. Your competition will have a degree and that will put their resume and applications in the forefront. Interior Design is a very intricate and diverse field and you will want to know as much as you can about every aspect of it which would be best at a college. You are going to eventually need to get a job as an Interior Designer and put in a certain amount of hours in order to get your License to work in New York State. It may be challenging to obtain work if you decide not to go to college. Once you obtain work, there are different amounts of required work hours based on which degree you have, an Associates Degree or a Bachelors Degree and you have to work for two years, full time before you can go for your license. They expect people to have a degree to get to this point of working hours.
If you want, you can return here to state exactly what the thoughts are about not wanting to go to college for this career. Maybe we can advise you with more information based on your concerns about getting a Bachelors Degree.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you the best in all you do !
If you do not want to go to college then you can make that choice, however my advice is to get a Bachelors Degree. It's good that you are asking about majors and colleges and I would like to share some advice for you.
The major programs that you will want to look for at colleges would be Interior Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Graphic Design or Industrial Design. My suggestion is to find a college that offers a major in Interior Design so that you can have a specific degree in the specific career. Some of the colleges that offer this major and how close they are to Elmont are Fashion Institute of Technology which is 30 miles from you, School of Visual Arts also about 30 miles from you. The two further colleges would be Marist College which is 90 miles away and Cazenovia College which is 45 miles from where you live. Also check out St. John Fisher University's Interior Design program which is 200 miles from you in Rochester. You can start by going to these colleges' websites and reading about their Interior Design programs to see which one you like.
It's just going to be an easier way to go to college for this career. At college, you will systematically learn all you need to know in an episodic path, be assigned projects that would help you start and build your portfolio, meet other students that you can collaborate with and learn of opportunities from, obtain a Bachelors Degree, and learn all about the various networking and trade organizations that will help you in your future career. If you decide not to do an academic route for this career, it will be up to you to create ways to achieve these things on your own.
Doing a Bachelors Degree online would not be the same. You wouldn't have the immediate and continual eyes on your work and spontaneous feedback that you would get in a college classroom by a professor. You will have to really look for projects and groups to network with and try to meet in a meaningful way other people that are in the profession. All this and you'd still have to pay tuition online while not having a robust and lively academic experience. If it is the cost that worries you about college, remember that there are very many scholarships and Federal Financial Aid that can help you with the cost.
To do this without any degree would not be advisable. Your competition will have a degree and that will put their resume and applications in the forefront. Interior Design is a very intricate and diverse field and you will want to know as much as you can about every aspect of it which would be best at a college. You are going to eventually need to get a job as an Interior Designer and put in a certain amount of hours in order to get your License to work in New York State. It may be challenging to obtain work if you decide not to go to college. Once you obtain work, there are different amounts of required work hours based on which degree you have, an Associates Degree or a Bachelors Degree and you have to work for two years, full time before you can go for your license. They expect people to have a degree to get to this point of working hours.
If you want, you can return here to state exactly what the thoughts are about not wanting to go to college for this career. Maybe we can advise you with more information based on your concerns about getting a Bachelors Degree.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you the best in all you do !
Updated
Fazal’s Answer
Hi jasmine
Indeed, it's strongly suggested that hopeful inside fashioners seek after a professional education prior to entering the field. Most expert inside plan firms and clients lean toward creators with formal schooling, as it furnishes them with the essential abilities in plan standards, engineering information, space arranging, and even information on building regulations and guidelines.
### **Suggested Degrees for Inside Designers**
1. **Bachelor's Certificate in Inside Design**: This is the most immediate and broadly perceived way. Certify programs frequently remember courses for plan hypothesis, computer aided design (PC helped plan), materials, variety hypothesis, lighting, and engineering.
2. **Bachelor's Certificate in Architecture**: This gives areas of strength for an in plan and primary ideas, which can be a gigantic benefit while planning inside spaces that supplement the engineering of structures.
3. **Bachelor's Certification in Expressive arts with an Emphasis on Inside Design**: A more extensive spotlight on plan standards, joined with a specialization in inside spaces.
4. **Associate's Certificate in Inside Design**: This can be a speedier course and might be reasonable for passage level positions, yet progressing to more significant level jobs could require further training or experience.
### **Suggested Majors**
- **Inside Design**
- **Inside Architecture**
- **Expressive arts with a Plan Specialization**
- **Natural Design**
- **Architecture**
### **Accreditation**
Make a point to pick programs licensed by the **Council for Inside Plan Certification (CIDA)** or **National Engineering Certifying Board (NAAB)** for validity and expert acknowledgment.
### **Schools and Colleges with Solid Inside Plan Programs**
1. **Parsons School of Design** (New York)
2. **Rhode Island School of Plan (RISD)** (Rhode Island)
3. **Savannah School of Workmanship and Plan (SCAD)** (Georgia)
4. **Pratt Institute** (New York)
5. **The New School** (New York)
6. **University of Cincinnati** (Ohio) - DAAP (Plan, Design, Workmanship, and Arranging)
7. **New York School of Inside Design** (New York)
8. **Cornell University** (New York) - School of Human Biology
9. **California School of Human expression (CCA)** (California)
10. **Fashion Organization of Innovation (FIT)** (New York)
### **Why a Degree is Important**
- **Proficient Certification**: Many states require licensure to fill in as an inside planner, and licensure frequently requires a degree from a certify program. For example, passing the **National Board for Inside Plan Capability (NCIDQ)** test normally requires formal schooling.
- **Organizing Opportunities**: School programs give temporary positions, work situations, and associations with industry experts, which are priceless while beginning a vocation.
- **Portfolio Development**: You'll construct an expert portfolio during your certification program, which is fundamental for exhibiting your work to future businesses or clients.
Getting conventional training in inside plan upgrades your believability, abilities, and capacity to deal with various undertakings.
Indeed, it's strongly suggested that hopeful inside fashioners seek after a professional education prior to entering the field. Most expert inside plan firms and clients lean toward creators with formal schooling, as it furnishes them with the essential abilities in plan standards, engineering information, space arranging, and even information on building regulations and guidelines.
### **Suggested Degrees for Inside Designers**
1. **Bachelor's Certificate in Inside Design**: This is the most immediate and broadly perceived way. Certify programs frequently remember courses for plan hypothesis, computer aided design (PC helped plan), materials, variety hypothesis, lighting, and engineering.
2. **Bachelor's Certificate in Architecture**: This gives areas of strength for an in plan and primary ideas, which can be a gigantic benefit while planning inside spaces that supplement the engineering of structures.
3. **Bachelor's Certification in Expressive arts with an Emphasis on Inside Design**: A more extensive spotlight on plan standards, joined with a specialization in inside spaces.
4. **Associate's Certificate in Inside Design**: This can be a speedier course and might be reasonable for passage level positions, yet progressing to more significant level jobs could require further training or experience.
### **Suggested Majors**
- **Inside Design**
- **Inside Architecture**
- **Expressive arts with a Plan Specialization**
- **Natural Design**
- **Architecture**
### **Accreditation**
Make a point to pick programs licensed by the **Council for Inside Plan Certification (CIDA)** or **National Engineering Certifying Board (NAAB)** for validity and expert acknowledgment.
### **Schools and Colleges with Solid Inside Plan Programs**
1. **Parsons School of Design** (New York)
2. **Rhode Island School of Plan (RISD)** (Rhode Island)
3. **Savannah School of Workmanship and Plan (SCAD)** (Georgia)
4. **Pratt Institute** (New York)
5. **The New School** (New York)
6. **University of Cincinnati** (Ohio) - DAAP (Plan, Design, Workmanship, and Arranging)
7. **New York School of Inside Design** (New York)
8. **Cornell University** (New York) - School of Human Biology
9. **California School of Human expression (CCA)** (California)
10. **Fashion Organization of Innovation (FIT)** (New York)
### **Why a Degree is Important**
- **Proficient Certification**: Many states require licensure to fill in as an inside planner, and licensure frequently requires a degree from a certify program. For example, passing the **National Board for Inside Plan Capability (NCIDQ)** test normally requires formal schooling.
- **Organizing Opportunities**: School programs give temporary positions, work situations, and associations with industry experts, which are priceless while beginning a vocation.
- **Portfolio Development**: You'll construct an expert portfolio during your certification program, which is fundamental for exhibiting your work to future businesses or clients.
Getting conventional training in inside plan upgrades your believability, abilities, and capacity to deal with various undertakings.
Updated
kelly’s Answer
I have mixed feelings about how to answer this. I am a big believer in college, regardless of what line of work you may or may not wish to pursue. Maybe take a gap year and get a job to see what that is like and then go back to school. Or, go to a local community college and take various classes to see what may be interesting to you. For interior design, you could take business classes, art/art history classes, graphic design/rendering classes, even marketing courses be helpful. Along the way, you may find another path to follow, or perhaps some of these classes will help determine that you want to follow a path to interior design. Hope this helps.