2 answers
Jia
Student
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
1
Question
Asked
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Can I take Business, computer and physchology in Alevels If I want to pursue Interior desiging in University?
I have done my Olevels and now I have to choose my Alevel subjects but i am confuse what subjects should I take if I want to study interior designing later in university. #college #Needguidance
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2 answers
Jane Samuels
Academic Advising
9
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Jia,
Business, Psychology and computer classes would all contribute to your knowledge for interior design, I’m guessing. But I think you’d also benefit from taking art classes, including hands-on art, art theory and art history. Design has so much to do with those 3 subjects, and in order to create well, it’s important to have a sense of context, to know the evolution of design trends . Art history, and if you can find it, design history will help with that. I recommend talking with your academic advisor to get their input on your plan. If you don’t have one you regularly go to, find out where the advising office is and get connected. They will help!
Stop by academic advising to see who you can work with on planning out your classes.
Business, Psychology and computer classes would all contribute to your knowledge for interior design, I’m guessing. But I think you’d also benefit from taking art classes, including hands-on art, art theory and art history. Design has so much to do with those 3 subjects, and in order to create well, it’s important to have a sense of context, to know the evolution of design trends . Art history, and if you can find it, design history will help with that. I recommend talking with your academic advisor to get their input on your plan. If you don’t have one you regularly go to, find out where the advising office is and get connected. They will help!
Jane recommends the following next steps:
Charmaine Chan
Product Manager
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Charmaine’s Answer
Hi Jia! I took the GCE A levels as well but I took them in Singapore, and I did my major in user experience design in college/university. Congratulations on finishing your O level exams. As a start, I would check if the universities in Pakistan where you are have any requirements for the major in interior design. In Singapore, there were very few courses in university that required specific A level subjects. I personally did English General Paper, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry and International History.
Looking at the Cambridge International list of subjects for Pakistan, it's amazing you have so many courses and subjects to choose from. I believe that the ones you've highlighted are not necessary for interior design but will definitely help you. I am sharing the outcomes you should be looking for from these courses so that you can understand how they will help your planning for university:
1. Business - will be useful for understanding how businesses are run, how to make revenue and calculate profit, all of which will be helpful when you are an interior designer pricing your services whether you are working with a company, or running your own business.
2. Computer - interior design and design services today are so entrenched in technology and digital tools, although "Computer" sounds very broad and general, computer courses should ideally provide you with a basic knowledge of how the computer works, what tools, programs or applications will be useful for media and digital design. As an interior designer, you will need to learn how to draw/sketch your ideas, as well as use the computer to help you create 2D or 3D renders of images for your designs.
3. Psychology - understanding how people and humans think, feel and act are crucial for designers. I hope you will be able to learn about the concept of empathy for users, as well as pick up some skills in statistics and measuring user data, as well as testing and experiments that will enable you to tell how a whole group (more than 100 people) think.
In addition to what you've picked out, there are some courses I think would also be very helpful for you to consider:
1. English General Paper - this is an AS level subject which I hope you are taking, as it is important for a designer to be able to write well and think critically.
2. Design and Technology - if you have an interest to go deeply into the design track, this might be of interest to you! However, if you'd like to keep your options open to overall technology or design fields, this course might be something you want to consider
3. Digital Media and Design - this course will teach you the fundamentals of design, including design theory, working from a brief (which is really important because this is what the customer will give you as their request for your design work), drawing for design (line, shape, form) and evaluation and testing (which will help you understand the results of your design work).
I've included the link for more information below and I hope you find it useful!
Check out the full list of subjects https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-advanced/cambridge-international-as-and-a-levels/subjects/
Looking at the Cambridge International list of subjects for Pakistan, it's amazing you have so many courses and subjects to choose from. I believe that the ones you've highlighted are not necessary for interior design but will definitely help you. I am sharing the outcomes you should be looking for from these courses so that you can understand how they will help your planning for university:
1. Business - will be useful for understanding how businesses are run, how to make revenue and calculate profit, all of which will be helpful when you are an interior designer pricing your services whether you are working with a company, or running your own business.
2. Computer - interior design and design services today are so entrenched in technology and digital tools, although "Computer" sounds very broad and general, computer courses should ideally provide you with a basic knowledge of how the computer works, what tools, programs or applications will be useful for media and digital design. As an interior designer, you will need to learn how to draw/sketch your ideas, as well as use the computer to help you create 2D or 3D renders of images for your designs.
3. Psychology - understanding how people and humans think, feel and act are crucial for designers. I hope you will be able to learn about the concept of empathy for users, as well as pick up some skills in statistics and measuring user data, as well as testing and experiments that will enable you to tell how a whole group (more than 100 people) think.
In addition to what you've picked out, there are some courses I think would also be very helpful for you to consider:
1. English General Paper - this is an AS level subject which I hope you are taking, as it is important for a designer to be able to write well and think critically.
2. Design and Technology - if you have an interest to go deeply into the design track, this might be of interest to you! However, if you'd like to keep your options open to overall technology or design fields, this course might be something you want to consider
3. Digital Media and Design - this course will teach you the fundamentals of design, including design theory, working from a brief (which is really important because this is what the customer will give you as their request for your design work), drawing for design (line, shape, form) and evaluation and testing (which will help you understand the results of your design work).
I've included the link for more information below and I hope you find it useful!
Charmaine recommends the following next steps: