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What would be the best majors for someone interested in pursuing a career in interior design ?
I'm currently a freshman in college majoring in Marketing with a minor in Design. I might also double major or minor in Real Estate.
My school doesn't offer an Interior Design major - what would be the best majors for someone interested in pursuing a career in interior design?
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7 answers
Updated
Abhishek’s Answer
If your school doesn't offer an Interior Design major, there are still several majors that can provide a strong foundation for a career in interior design. Here are some options to consider, keeping in mind that requirements and availability may vary between institutions:
1. Architecture: A major in Architecture can provide a comprehensive understanding of spatial design, building systems, and construction techniques. This knowledge can be highly valuable in the field of interior design, as it focuses on the design and functionality of physical spaces.
2. Interior Architecture: Some schools offer a major specifically in Interior Architecture, which combines elements of architecture and interior design. This program typically emphasizes the technical aspects of interior design, such as building codes, materials, and construction methods.
3. Fine Arts or Studio Art: Majors in Fine Arts or Studio Art can help develop your artistic skills, creativity, and understanding of aesthetics. These majors often include courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other visual arts, which can be applied to interior design.
4. Graphic Design: A major in Graphic Design can be beneficial for developing skills in visual communication, layout design, and digital tools. These skills can be applied to creating visual presentations, mood boards, and digital renderings in the field of interior design.
5. Industrial Design: Industrial Design focuses on the design of products and objects. This major can provide a strong foundation in design thinking, materials, and manufacturing processes, which can be applied to furniture design and product selection in interior design.
6. Environmental Design: Some schools offer a major in Environmental Design, which encompasses various aspects of design related to the built environment. This program may cover topics such as sustainable design, human behavior in spaces, and the impact of design on well-being.
While pursuing your major, consider supplementing your education with relevant coursework or extracurricular activities related to interior design. Look for opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering in design firms or related industries.
Additionally, consider joining professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). These organizations offer resources, networking opportunities, and events that can help you connect with professionals in the field and stay updated on industry trends.
Remember, even if your major is not directly in interior design, you can still develop the necessary skills and knowledge through a combination of coursework, practical experience, and self-directed learning.
1. Architecture: A major in Architecture can provide a comprehensive understanding of spatial design, building systems, and construction techniques. This knowledge can be highly valuable in the field of interior design, as it focuses on the design and functionality of physical spaces.
2. Interior Architecture: Some schools offer a major specifically in Interior Architecture, which combines elements of architecture and interior design. This program typically emphasizes the technical aspects of interior design, such as building codes, materials, and construction methods.
3. Fine Arts or Studio Art: Majors in Fine Arts or Studio Art can help develop your artistic skills, creativity, and understanding of aesthetics. These majors often include courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other visual arts, which can be applied to interior design.
4. Graphic Design: A major in Graphic Design can be beneficial for developing skills in visual communication, layout design, and digital tools. These skills can be applied to creating visual presentations, mood boards, and digital renderings in the field of interior design.
5. Industrial Design: Industrial Design focuses on the design of products and objects. This major can provide a strong foundation in design thinking, materials, and manufacturing processes, which can be applied to furniture design and product selection in interior design.
6. Environmental Design: Some schools offer a major in Environmental Design, which encompasses various aspects of design related to the built environment. This program may cover topics such as sustainable design, human behavior in spaces, and the impact of design on well-being.
While pursuing your major, consider supplementing your education with relevant coursework or extracurricular activities related to interior design. Look for opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering in design firms or related industries.
Additionally, consider joining professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). These organizations offer resources, networking opportunities, and events that can help you connect with professionals in the field and stay updated on industry trends.
Remember, even if your major is not directly in interior design, you can still develop the necessary skills and knowledge through a combination of coursework, practical experience, and self-directed learning.
Updated
Akerke’s Answer
Hello Abbey 🤗
An interior designer is one of the few professionals whose activities are incredibly versatile and diverse. Here's what an interior designer does:
meets with the customer, inspects the premises, negotiates with the customer, concludes an agreement;
makes a sketch of the future work in a 3D program and approves it with the customer;
creates a comprehensive layout of the room, lighting, ventilation systems, acoustics;
orders and purchases materials, furniture, lamps and other interior elements;
manages the renovation of the premises, which is carried out by a team of workers;
decorates the interior, manages the arrangement of furniture.
What abilities and skills does an interior designer have?
Broad outlook in interior styles: high-tech, neo-Russian, deconstructivism, Romanesque, modernism and dozens of others;
•creative and artistic abilities;
•spatial imagination;
•creativity;
•subtle color perception;
•the ability to create an image from a verbal description;
•abstractness, associativity and flexibility of thinking;
•familiarization with building engineering systems;
•design and design skills.
An interior designer is one of the few professionals whose activities are incredibly versatile and diverse. Here's what an interior designer does:
meets with the customer, inspects the premises, negotiates with the customer, concludes an agreement;
makes a sketch of the future work in a 3D program and approves it with the customer;
creates a comprehensive layout of the room, lighting, ventilation systems, acoustics;
orders and purchases materials, furniture, lamps and other interior elements;
manages the renovation of the premises, which is carried out by a team of workers;
decorates the interior, manages the arrangement of furniture.
What abilities and skills does an interior designer have?
Broad outlook in interior styles: high-tech, neo-Russian, deconstructivism, Romanesque, modernism and dozens of others;
•creative and artistic abilities;
•spatial imagination;
•creativity;
•subtle color perception;
•the ability to create an image from a verbal description;
•abstractness, associativity and flexibility of thinking;
•familiarization with building engineering systems;
•design and design skills.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Abbey !
You have chosen a very specialized exciting and creative career choice. Interior Design is something that entails learning so many things, that is why my advice is to transfer to a college that offers a major and degree in Interior Design. That will be the best thing if you want to enter the professional world as an interior designer. Your degree will matter as well as prepare you for professional registration certification, licensing and open doors for internships and interior design opportunities.
Some colleges in your state that do offer a major and degree in Interior Design are The Art Institute of Atlanta, Gwinnett Technical College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia Southern University, Athens Technical College, Lanier Technical College, Valdosta State University, Breanu University, Savannah College of Art and Design at a different location and Chattahoochee Technical College. So whichever college you are attending now that doesn't have an interior design program that you can get your degree in, you will need to think about attending a different college so you can obtain the appropriate education, training and experience. This way you'll be prepared for internships and certification exams. Going for a different major and degree may not serve you best.
The reason I say to take this direct path is because there will be many things expected of you once you are out there in the professional world and putting hours in for your certification. It's not going to help you to be trained in one thing and look for work in a totally different thing. Something that could help you would be to contact the The Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers to learn about being registered as an Interior Designer and the Licensing procedure. One should always gear their training and experience to the specific profession they want to do as it is a process and you'll want the benefits of making each minute count. Yes, interior designers do collaborate with other professionals, but it always pays to be an expert in your specific field for the optimum career results.
So if your school doesn't offer the specific education and experience in the exact career you want, you will have to transfer to a college that does offer interior design. If you want to stay at the college that doesn't offer interior design, think about a different career because these types of careers require a lot of learning and time. No one can tell you what to major in to substitute, only what you need to major in to fulfill your career goal which you've stated is Interior Design and easily obtainable at other schools.
Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best !
You have chosen a very specialized exciting and creative career choice. Interior Design is something that entails learning so many things, that is why my advice is to transfer to a college that offers a major and degree in Interior Design. That will be the best thing if you want to enter the professional world as an interior designer. Your degree will matter as well as prepare you for professional registration certification, licensing and open doors for internships and interior design opportunities.
Some colleges in your state that do offer a major and degree in Interior Design are The Art Institute of Atlanta, Gwinnett Technical College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia Southern University, Athens Technical College, Lanier Technical College, Valdosta State University, Breanu University, Savannah College of Art and Design at a different location and Chattahoochee Technical College. So whichever college you are attending now that doesn't have an interior design program that you can get your degree in, you will need to think about attending a different college so you can obtain the appropriate education, training and experience. This way you'll be prepared for internships and certification exams. Going for a different major and degree may not serve you best.
The reason I say to take this direct path is because there will be many things expected of you once you are out there in the professional world and putting hours in for your certification. It's not going to help you to be trained in one thing and look for work in a totally different thing. Something that could help you would be to contact the The Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers to learn about being registered as an Interior Designer and the Licensing procedure. One should always gear their training and experience to the specific profession they want to do as it is a process and you'll want the benefits of making each minute count. Yes, interior designers do collaborate with other professionals, but it always pays to be an expert in your specific field for the optimum career results.
So if your school doesn't offer the specific education and experience in the exact career you want, you will have to transfer to a college that does offer interior design. If you want to stay at the college that doesn't offer interior design, think about a different career because these types of careers require a lot of learning and time. No one can tell you what to major in to substitute, only what you need to major in to fulfill your career goal which you've stated is Interior Design and easily obtainable at other schools.
Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best !
Updated
Megan’s Answer
These two websites provide an insight into becoming an interior designer that you may find helpful! The tricky part is there is no specific, straight path. There are many paths you can take.
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-1025.00 Interior
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm
I hope this helps!
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-1025.00 Interior
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm
I hope this helps!
Updated
Linda’s Answer
I have a fine Arts degree and it has served me well. Interior Design encompasses many things not just the construction and design of a space but the energy and reflection of all the elements chosen coming together cohesively with perfect lighting and ambuance. To achieve success in this endeavor a understanding deeper than mathematics and mechanical properties are essential for good design. There is design in everything and the possibilities endless and only limited to your exposeiour to knowledge and your willingness to explore the elasticity of your creativity rubber band. Do not pigeon hole yourself as a designer and artist. I don't believe in outside the box thinking when it comes to interior design because we live in the box and there are volumes of beautiful things in the box we can use with our own creative ability to make them new ,fresh and reliant.
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hi Abbey,
Several majors can provide a strong foundation for a career in interior design, each offering unique perspectives and skills that can be valuable in the field. Here are some of the best majors for someone interested in pursuing a career in interior design:
1) Interior Design: This is the most obvious choice as it directly aligns with the career path. A degree in interior design provides comprehensive training in spatial planning, color theory, materials, and design principles specific to interior spaces.
2) Architecture: Architecture majors gain a deep understanding of spatial design, building systems, and construction techniques. This knowledge can be invaluable when working on projects that involve structural modifications or renovations.
3) Fine Arts/Art History: A background in fine arts or art history can provide a strong foundation in aesthetics, design principles, and art theory.
These majors emphasize creativity, visual communication, and an understanding of historical and cultural influences on art and design.
4)Graphic Design: Graphic design majors develop skills in visual communication, typography, and digital media. These skills are transferable to interior design, especially in areas such as branding, signage, and digital rendering.
5) Industrial Design/Product Design: Industrial design majors focus on designing products and consumer goods. This major can be beneficial for interior designers who work on custom furniture, fixtures, and other interior elements.
6)Environmental Design: Environmental design majors study the interaction between people and their environments, emphasizing sustainable design, universal accessibility, and human-centric design principles. This knowledge is valuable for creating functional and inclusive interior spaces.
7) Business/Marketing: A background in business or marketing can be beneficial for interior designers who want to start their own firms or work in roles that involve client management, project budgeting, and marketing their services.
Good luck!
Several majors can provide a strong foundation for a career in interior design, each offering unique perspectives and skills that can be valuable in the field. Here are some of the best majors for someone interested in pursuing a career in interior design:
1) Interior Design: This is the most obvious choice as it directly aligns with the career path. A degree in interior design provides comprehensive training in spatial planning, color theory, materials, and design principles specific to interior spaces.
2) Architecture: Architecture majors gain a deep understanding of spatial design, building systems, and construction techniques. This knowledge can be invaluable when working on projects that involve structural modifications or renovations.
3) Fine Arts/Art History: A background in fine arts or art history can provide a strong foundation in aesthetics, design principles, and art theory.
These majors emphasize creativity, visual communication, and an understanding of historical and cultural influences on art and design.
4)Graphic Design: Graphic design majors develop skills in visual communication, typography, and digital media. These skills are transferable to interior design, especially in areas such as branding, signage, and digital rendering.
5) Industrial Design/Product Design: Industrial design majors focus on designing products and consumer goods. This major can be beneficial for interior designers who work on custom furniture, fixtures, and other interior elements.
6)Environmental Design: Environmental design majors study the interaction between people and their environments, emphasizing sustainable design, universal accessibility, and human-centric design principles. This knowledge is valuable for creating functional and inclusive interior spaces.
7) Business/Marketing: A background in business or marketing can be beneficial for interior designers who want to start their own firms or work in roles that involve client management, project budgeting, and marketing their services.
Good luck!
Updated
Jean Philippe’s Answer
I suggest taking general architecture or interior architecture courses if they're available at your school. These courses can provide you with valuable knowledge and skills that can help you succeed in this field.