Interior Design Schools

Interior Design Schools: Choosing the Right One

Finding the right school is a time consuming and important task. Knowing some basic things to look for in a school may help narrow the field down. For example, most schools should now offer courses in CAD (computer aided drawing) to keep their students knowledgeable in the newest technologies. Additionally, most interior design schools begin by teaching the fundamentals and move upwards to harder classes from there—from drawing and drafting to business ethics and retail design. Other things to consider when choosing an interior design school include:

• Opportunities to work on different locations (office, home, commercial)
• General design principles, the application of principles, and problem solving
• Personal needs regarding size, location, cost, and program emphasis
• Kinds of practicums/internships offered and what kind of help is given finding them
• Employment rate for graduates

Students looking into an interior design program should be careful not to confuse interior design with interior decorating. Interior decorating, which covers furnishings, floor coverings, paints and placement, is included under the umbrella of design, but design is more involved. Interior design involves ceiling and wall placement, window and door placement, lighting, space planning, and knowing construction, among other areas of expertise. When you look for an interior design school, make sure it offers courses or an emphasis in the area(s) in which you are interested.

Foundation for Interior Design Education Research

The Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) publishes a list of schools with interior design programs the group has accredited. FIDER sets standards for post-secondary interior design education and evaluates college and universities based on those standards. The accredited programs receive the mark of approval for up to six years, and then the program is re-evaluated.

FIDER standards address curriculum structure, faculty, facilities and other indicators of a good program. However, schools must apply to receive FIDER accreditation; just because a school is not on the list does not mean it is a poor school—only that the school has yet to apply to FIDER. FIDER also makes sure interior design schools teach so that students can pass a licensing exam by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification if their state so requires.

Schools to Consider

Doing research online is a good place to start looking for interior design schools. Time and money can be saved by checking out programs and requirements before taking the time to do a campus visit. Many of the schools listed by FIDER have websites, as do many other good programs. Try visiting these schools to see if a career in interior design is right for you.

The Art Center Design College offers both an associates and bachelor’s degree in interior design. The bachelor’s degree covers fundamentals as well as emphasizing space planning, furniture design and study of textures lighting, colors, and fabrics. Students can attend lectures and are encouraged to do internships. A portfolio is will be created that can be shown to potential employers after graduation.

Interior Design Institute offers three degree options: certificate, associates, and bachelor. Students can choose from the following among the following specialties and more: commercial design, residential interior design, historical restoration, space planning, and interior illustrations.

New York School of Interior Design offers students certificate, associates, bachelors and graduate options for programs. The student to faculty ratio is 10 to 1, so one-on-one teaching is emphasized. Weekend and night options are available for students who work fulltime.

These are just a few of the many interior design schools available for potential students to choose from. Understanding what kind of program you are looking for will help make the crucial educational decision.