How to Become an Interior Designer

Are you wondering how to become an interior designer? Interior designers require specific education and training, unlike interior decorators. Decorators merely need a flair for design, knowledge of spacial relations, a passion for color and a client list.

Interior designers often start their careers as decorators. These people understand space planning, color and lighting. They have knowledge and appreciation of furniture, art and fabric. However, designers need to know more. They need to understand building codes, fire ratings and materials. They need to be able to read blueprints and use CAD software. Interior designers need many of the same skills as architects, as they do much of the same work. Designers, however, unlike architects, do not sign off on building plans.

Certified interior designers need to pass the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) test to be licensed. In order to even qualify to take the test, a designer must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree (minimum) from a Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)-accredited interior design program, including no less than 120 semester or 180 quarter credit hours, of which no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours are interior design coursework. The work experience requirement is a total of 3,520 hours of supervised interior design experience. Up to 1,760 hours of work experience can be completed before the education requirement is completed. The final 1,760 hours must be earned after all education is completed.

• Another option for exam qualification is earning a Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in an interior

design program not accredited by CIDA. This educational experience must include no less than 120 semester or 180 quarter credit hours, of which no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours are interior design coursework. The work experience requirement is the same as above: a total of 3,520 hours of supervised interior design experience. Up to 1,760 hours of work experience can be completed before the education requirement is completed. The final 1,760 hours must be earned after all education is completed.

• A third option involves the same work requirement but the education requirement differs. In order to take the exam a prospective designer must have a Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in any

other major and no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a degree (associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s).

Once a prospective designer passes the NCIDQ exam, they can apply for membership in the ASID (Association of Interior Designers)].

Beyond the requirements on paper and in school, there are other non-tangible requirements if you want to be a top interior designer. For example, you should possess a strong work ethic. Designers often work in firms where they are measured by how many hours they bill clients. These firms require long hours and hard work to get ahead. Plus, a designer has to be focused on their clients' needs so a strong commitment to customer service and great listening skills are key. Finally, a designer needs to have solid computer skills. Long gone are the days of sketching and drafting by hand. Today's interior designers use CAD (computer aided design) software to draw up room plans and source many of their products via Internet search engines.

With hard work and passion, interior designers can have lucrative, fulfilling careers..

• Country Style Decorating Ideas
• Bathroom Design Pictures
• Interior Paint Color Combinations

• Country French Style Basics
• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design

• Bedroom Interior Design Ideas
• History of Interior Design
• Auction Buying 101
• About Creative Homeowner
• Interior Decorator Jobs