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Josie
Student
Tampa, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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What schools are good to go to be an interior designer and decorator that is a passion I think I would like to pursue more but I’m not sure what I need to study?
What schools are good to go to be an interior designer and decorator? that is a passion I think I would like to pursue more but I’m not sure what I need to study.
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3 answers
Richard Smith
Co-owner and Design Partner at 11:22 Creative Design, LLC
31
Answers
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Josie! Pursuing a career in interior design and decorating is an exciting path, and choosing the right school is crucial. While the "best" school can vary based on individual preferences and career goals, here's a list of 10 top schools known for their interior design programs, along with examples of subjects and topics typically covered in these programs:
1. **Parsons School of Design (The New School) - New York, NY:**
- Subjects: Interior architecture, color theory, sustainable design, materials and finishes, lighting design.
2. **Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) - Providence, RI:**
- Topics: Space planning, furniture design, CAD software, design history, and critical thinking in design.
3. **Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) - Savannah, GA:**
- Courses: Interior design studio, textiles, 3D modeling, residential design, commercial design.
4. **Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY:**
- Areas of study: Interior design technology, kitchen and bath design, visual communication in design, professional practice.
5. **University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension - Los Angeles, CA:**
- Subjects: Interior architecture and design, materials and construction, sketching and rendering, and portfolio development.
6. **Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA:**
- Topics: Design theory, design ethics, CAD software, design presentation, and design studio projects.
7. **Cornell University - Ithaca, NY:**
- Areas of study: Interior design studio, design process, human-centered design, and design history.
8. **New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) - New York, NY:**
- Courses: Sustainable design, interior lighting, professional practices, furniture history and styles.
9. **University of Florida - Gainesville, FL:**
- Subjects: Interior design methods, contract design, universal design, and design technology.
10. **California College of the Arts - San Francisco, CA:**
- Topics: Interior architecture, spatial design, adaptive reuse, furniture design, and environmental psychology.
In these programs, you will typically learn about space planning, color theory, sustainable design, materials and finishes, lighting design, and other fundamental interior design topics. Additionally, you'll often engage in design studio projects, where you can apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios.
When choosing a school, consider factors such as location, faculty expertise, internship opportunities, and the specific areas of interior design and decorating that interest you the most. Your choice of program should align with your career goals and personal interests within the field.
1. **Parsons School of Design (The New School) - New York, NY:**
- Subjects: Interior architecture, color theory, sustainable design, materials and finishes, lighting design.
2. **Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) - Providence, RI:**
- Topics: Space planning, furniture design, CAD software, design history, and critical thinking in design.
3. **Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) - Savannah, GA:**
- Courses: Interior design studio, textiles, 3D modeling, residential design, commercial design.
4. **Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY:**
- Areas of study: Interior design technology, kitchen and bath design, visual communication in design, professional practice.
5. **University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension - Los Angeles, CA:**
- Subjects: Interior architecture and design, materials and construction, sketching and rendering, and portfolio development.
6. **Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA:**
- Topics: Design theory, design ethics, CAD software, design presentation, and design studio projects.
7. **Cornell University - Ithaca, NY:**
- Areas of study: Interior design studio, design process, human-centered design, and design history.
8. **New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) - New York, NY:**
- Courses: Sustainable design, interior lighting, professional practices, furniture history and styles.
9. **University of Florida - Gainesville, FL:**
- Subjects: Interior design methods, contract design, universal design, and design technology.
10. **California College of the Arts - San Francisco, CA:**
- Topics: Interior architecture, spatial design, adaptive reuse, furniture design, and environmental psychology.
In these programs, you will typically learn about space planning, color theory, sustainable design, materials and finishes, lighting design, and other fundamental interior design topics. Additionally, you'll often engage in design studio projects, where you can apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios.
When choosing a school, consider factors such as location, faculty expertise, internship opportunities, and the specific areas of interior design and decorating that interest you the most. Your choice of program should align with your career goals and personal interests within the field.
Thank you so much Mr. Richard! This was very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to help figure out what I need to do as my next step!
Josie
It is my honor and privilege to do so. I wish Career Village existed when I was younger. I hope my advice helps you with what I know will be an interesting and successful career path.
Richard Smith
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Josie !
As long as the school you attend is accredited, the school will be good. You have three Interior Design schools right in your city. The schools are The University of South Florida's School of Architecture and Design, Seminole College has an Interior Design Program, and the University of Tampa School of Art and Design. Start to read about these colleges and compare them with each other as far as program offerings, tuition and courses required for your degree. I would also suggest visiting in person and see if they offer an orientation and attend that so you can see the campus and ask questions during the tour.
Some things to think about are whether or not you want to relocate to study, how much the tuition is, and if you will apply and qualify for financial aid. Also think about which degree you'd like to aim for: Associates, Bachelors or Masters Degree, majoring in Interior Design. You will also have to go for a certification . It's not required but you will be needing it because employers are asking for prospective staff to have certification. I have provided a link below to the Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). After you have worked as an Interior Designer for two to four years full time, you are eligible to take the Certification exam. All of the important details are on the website.
Your course of study will lean on creativity, technical, management and business skills. If you are currently drawing plans and sketches, designs or scale models, make a portfolio of your work both on line with photos and hard copies of your creations.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
https://www.cidq.org/ ~ Council for Interior Design Qualification CERIFICATION INFORMATION
As long as the school you attend is accredited, the school will be good. You have three Interior Design schools right in your city. The schools are The University of South Florida's School of Architecture and Design, Seminole College has an Interior Design Program, and the University of Tampa School of Art and Design. Start to read about these colleges and compare them with each other as far as program offerings, tuition and courses required for your degree. I would also suggest visiting in person and see if they offer an orientation and attend that so you can see the campus and ask questions during the tour.
Some things to think about are whether or not you want to relocate to study, how much the tuition is, and if you will apply and qualify for financial aid. Also think about which degree you'd like to aim for: Associates, Bachelors or Masters Degree, majoring in Interior Design. You will also have to go for a certification . It's not required but you will be needing it because employers are asking for prospective staff to have certification. I have provided a link below to the Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). After you have worked as an Interior Designer for two to four years full time, you are eligible to take the Certification exam. All of the important details are on the website.
Your course of study will lean on creativity, technical, management and business skills. If you are currently drawing plans and sketches, designs or scale models, make a portfolio of your work both on line with photos and hard copies of your creations.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you! I have actually been thinking about trying to attend usf but I didn’t know they had interior design! thank you so much for your helpfulness and your guidance and time! thank you Ms. Michelle!
Josie
You are very welcome, Josie !
Michelle M.
Everett Chambers
Interior Design
3
Answers
West Jordan, Utah
Updated
Everett’s Answer
Research schools and interior design programs... then read the fine print and select ONLY the ones that are CIDA accredited. This is a type of 'formal' accreditation that the School obtains that proves they are providing a legit Interior Design curriculum that meets the requirements that are set forth by the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Designer Qualification).
You may ask yourself, 'Ok, so why is this important?'
This is important because you can take your BA of Interior Design from the CIDA accredited institution and submit it with your application to the NCIDQ Board to obtain your formal NCIDQ Certificate.
You may ask yourself, 'Ok, so why do I need an NCIDQ certificate?'
You need an NCIDQ certificate to submit with your application to the State in which you live and choose to provide design work in.
You may ask yourself 'Ok, so why do I need to register with the State (ie. Nevada, if you live in Nevada for example).
You register with the State to provide interior design services to "The Public" (ie. not just Residential Design). Also, some states have LAWS that specify you can't call yourself or Market via your website, that you're an "interior designer" unless you're actually registered with the State's Board.
You may ask yourself 'Ok, so what happens if I get 'caught' callling/marketing myself as an Interior Designer if I'm not registered with the State.
Answer...You'll receive VERY large fines by the State. I know of a few people I went to school with whom didn't obtain their NCIDQ license, and therefore couldn't register with the State of Nevada, and they were 'caught' and served $25k fines to pay.
The more you know :)
You may ask yourself, 'Ok, so why is this important?'
This is important because you can take your BA of Interior Design from the CIDA accredited institution and submit it with your application to the NCIDQ Board to obtain your formal NCIDQ Certificate.
You may ask yourself, 'Ok, so why do I need an NCIDQ certificate?'
You need an NCIDQ certificate to submit with your application to the State in which you live and choose to provide design work in.
You may ask yourself 'Ok, so why do I need to register with the State (ie. Nevada, if you live in Nevada for example).
You register with the State to provide interior design services to "The Public" (ie. not just Residential Design). Also, some states have LAWS that specify you can't call yourself or Market via your website, that you're an "interior designer" unless you're actually registered with the State's Board.
You may ask yourself 'Ok, so what happens if I get 'caught' callling/marketing myself as an Interior Designer if I'm not registered with the State.
Answer...You'll receive VERY large fines by the State. I know of a few people I went to school with whom didn't obtain their NCIDQ license, and therefore couldn't register with the State of Nevada, and they were 'caught' and served $25k fines to pay.
The more you know :)