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So, You Want To Be An Interior Designer? Part 2

By Rhonda Layton of Myinteriordecorator.com 

Editors Note: This article has been written because numerous questions we receive regarding entrance into this field.  Ms. Layton has allowed us to publish this information and regrets that she will not be able to answer personal emails on this subject.

If you are wondering about schools, contact FIDER. If you want to know about being a licensed designer versus a decorator, please contact NCIDQ. Thank You.

Interior design is a profession with a vast array of advancement. You may begin as a junior designer, assistant or specifier and soon become a senior designer, project manager, or partner in a firm. Where ever your mind can go, so too can you move!

It is my belief that with the ever growing economy interior design and a need for it grows. People are becoming busier and busier these days and they don't have time to decorate and create environments that represent who they are, they rely on professionals, interior designers. As long as there are homes, offices, restaurants, malls, stores, etc., there will be a need for interior designers.

School and Classes to Study

The field of interior design is an ever changing field. Years ago there were no programs for interior design in universities or colleges. Slowly they started to appear. Today, we have an entire accreditation process that certifies a program will teach certain principles and practices at a very high standard. This organization is called FIDER,

Interior designers are now licensed to practice, much like a doctor or architect. In order to even sit for the licensing test through NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification), you must have a combination of six years of work experience, two years of schooling plus four years of work experience, or four years in a FIDER accredited university or college plus two years of work experience. Licensing helps to create responsible, educated designers.

At minimum, I suggest you seek a university or college that is FIDER accredited and work towards a bachelor's degree. In commercial work, a bachelor's degree is a minimum. You may decide to further your education with a master's degree or a doctorate.

Some of the classes that would help you to become a better student and a better designer are things like AutoCAD by AutoDesk, computer aided drafting. If you have some experience and knowledge of this software program, you will begin your career at a higher pay rate. They are in high demand today and it would behoove you to have this experience.

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