How to become an Interior Designer?

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Do you enjoy decorating your surroundings? Some people have a natural talent for design. If you enjoy decorating rooms and arranging furniture, a career in interior design may be for you.

Interior Designers are in high demand today, whether in corporate or residential settings, and it has become a promising career path. Interior Designers can transform ordinary office spaces, homes, and hotels into works of art by using creative thinking and imaginative skills.

Do you aspire to be an interior designer or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve come to the right place! This blog discusses about how to become an interior designer and the skills required, colleges and courses, salary, and what else it takes. Follow the step-by-step guide in the blog to become an interior designer.

Who is an Interior Designer?

Interior designers determine space requirements and select essential and decorative items, such as colours, lighting, and materials, to make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful.

Learn more: How to become a Ceramics Designer- Detailed Guide

How to become an Interior Designer?

Step 1: Stream to select

Due to the versatility of the field, you can select any stream to pursue interior design.

Step 2: Certification courses and project courses

After finishing your 10th, you can pursue the following certification courses to become an interior designer:

  • Interior Design Course Online
  • Certified Interior Designer
  • How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro
  • How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps
  • How to Use Color Like a Pro
  • Design is in the Details: How to Accessorize Like a Pro
  • How to Use Lighting Design to Transform your Home
  • Intro to Interior Design Course
  • The Complete Sketchup & Vray Course for Interior Design
  • Design your Room Using Sketchup
  • Certificate in Interior Design
  • Certificate in Interior Design and Decoration

Step 3: Educational qualifications

While a formal education is not required, most interior design firms prefer designers to have a bachelor’s degree. There are also interior design programmes at the diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels.

How to become an interior designer after 10th?

If you want to be an interior designer, interior design games will allow you to unleash and nurture your creative side. There are also diploma courses in interior design that students can pursue after finishing class 10. Some universities require applicants to pass entrance exams. Some of the entrance exams are UCEED, AIEED, NID, BHU UET, MET, SOFT SET etc.

  • Diploma courses to become an interior designer in India:
CourseDuration
Diploma in Interior Design1-2 years
Diploma in Interior Design and Architecture1-2 years
Diploma in Interior Design and Display1-2 years

Also read: SAT Exam Sample Papers & Practice Papers – How to prepare

How to become an interior designer after 12th?

Many students choose an interior design career after 12th because of the numerous opportunities it provides. To meet the demand for interior design in the job market, top universities are developing a plethora of interior design courses after 12th.

  • Diploma courses to become an interior designer in India:

After completing 12th, students with a minimum of 50% in any stream can pursue a bachelor’s degree in interior design or enrol in diploma programmes. Some colleges also give admission based on the qualifying examination merit list. Some of the entrance exams are MRNAT, NICC, SEED, IIAD, AIEED, UID Design Aptitude Test, MUSAT etc.

CourseDurationCourse Fee (per annum)
Diploma in Interior Designing3 years₹15,000 – ₹2,00,000
Post Graduate Diploma in Interior Design2 years₹30,000 – ₹3,50,000
Diploma in Interior and Space Design3 years₹3,96,000
Diploma in Interior and Furniture Design3 years₹3,00,000

Want to start early? Check out Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA in Design&Branding program for hands-on experience.

  • Top diploma colleges to become an interior designer in India:
Name of InstitutionLocation
Apeejay Institute of DesignDelhi
LISAA School of DesignKarnataka
Institute of Design Environment and ArchitectureMaharashtra
Parul Institute of DesignGujarat
SAGE UniversityMadhya Pradesh
ITM UniversityMadhya Pradesh
Poddar International CollegeRajasthan
RIMT UniversityPunjab
Royal Global UniversityAssam
Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home ScienceMaharashtra
Source
  • UG courses to become an interior designer in India:
CourseDurationFees
B.Des (Interior and Furniture)4 years₹2,00,000 to ₹12,00,000
B.Des Interior Design4 years₹3,00,000 to ₹12,00,000
B.Sc (Interior and Furniture)3 years₹1,00,000 to ₹9,00,000
BA (Hons) Interior Design3 years₹90,000 to ₹9,00,000
BA Interior Design3 years₹90,000 to ₹9,00,000
B.Sc in Interior Design3 years₹2,00,000 to ₹9,00,000
B Sc (Hons) Interior Design3 years₹1,00,000 to ₹9,00,000
  • Top UG colleges to become an interior designer in India:
Name of InstitutionLocation
INSD PUNE – International School of DesignMaharashtra
CEPT UniversityGujarat
Vishwakarma UniversityMaharashtra
MSU Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao University of BarodaGujarat
ITM Institute of Design and MediaMaharashtra
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyKarnataka
World University of DesignHaryana
Nikalas Mahila MahavidyalayaMaharashtra
JNAFAU SPA Hyderabad – Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University School of Planning and ArchitectureTelangana
Arch Academy of DesignRajasthan
Source

Read about: Gaining Career Clarity just got a lot easier for your teen!

  • UG courses to become an interior designer abroad:

You will be exposed to new techniques and styles while studying interior design courses from abroad. While studying, you will have the opportunity to create a global portfolio of work to demonstrate what you have learned and how you can help your future employers or clients in India or abroad.

CourseDuration
BFA in Interior Design4 years
Bachelor of Interior Design4 years
BA (Hons) Interior Design3 years
  • Top UG colleges to become an interior designer abroad:
Name of InstitutionLocation
Florence Design AcademyItaly
The Interior Design School, LondonUnited Kingdom
Pratt InstituteUnited States
The Visual College of Art and DesignCanada
Savannah College of Art and DesignUnited States
Rhode Island School of DesignUnited States
Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts LondonUnited Kingdom
University of TechnologyAustralia
Dublin Institute of DesignIreland
New York School of Interior DesignUnited States
Source

Step 4: How to prepare for the job?

A person opens the curtains expecting to see a nice view out the window but instead sees a wall.
Oops! #BadDesign [Source]
  • Nurture Your Creativity: Developing your creative skills will give you an advantage by allowing you to innovate and offer something unique rather than following a ‘copycat’ formula.
  • Internships: An interior design internship is required for aspiring interior designers because it will familiarise them with the technicalities, knowledge, and skills involved in a career in interior design.
  • Build a portfolio: Take high-quality photographs of your work and compile them into a professional portfolio.
  • Look for continuing education opportunities: There are numerous professional certifications available to designers, as well as attending interior design conferences to stay current on trends and changes.
  • Create Connections: Word-of-mouth referrals are a valuable source of new business.
  • Understand the market: Subscribing to online industry newsletters, reading interior design magazines and digests and following influencers on social media are excellent ways to ensure that your design approach is in sync with what’s going on around you.
  • Identify your niche: Examine what your competitors are offering and what you can do differently. This can include the services you provide or how you work and charge your fees.
  • Toot Your Own Horn: Join social media platforms such as and share examples of your work there. Because competition is fierce in this industry, every bit of good PR helps.

Read more: How to become a Public Relations Officer in India

10 most important skills for becoming an interior designer

  • A creative eye and attention to detail
  • Vision
  • Trend identification
  • Knowledge of sustainable practices
  • Superior communication
  • Sketching ability and computer knowledge
  • Organization
  • Color basics knowledge
  • Understanding of Spatial Balance
  • Time Management Skills

Salary of an interior designer

Salary in India

An entry-level Interior Designer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an annual compensation of ₹2,37,455 (tips, bonus, and overtime pay).

Source

Salary Abroad

The following are some entry-level interior designer salaries from around the world.

CountryAnnual Salary
United States$42,587
United Kingdom£20,226
China¥117,110
Japan¥3,600,000
Denmark357,301 KR
CanadaC$40,558
Sources: 1, 2

Top 10 recruiters in India

  • The Karighars
  • Morph Design Co. by Prestige Constructions
  • Design Qube
  • Carafina
  • De Panache
  • La Sorogeeka
  • Morph Design
  • Pinakin Design
  • Raja Aederi
  • Rajiv Saini and Associates (RSA)

Sources: 1, 2

Top 10 recruiters abroad

  • Gensler
  • HOK
  • Perkins + Will
  • Jacobs
  • HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates
  • IA Interior Architects
  • Stantec
  • CallisonRTKL
  • Nelson
  • HKS

Source

More about interior designers

If you’ve arrived at this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you like interior designers and may one day become one yourself! As a bonus, a few Instagram accounts of a few interior designers are included here. Check them out and have fun exploring more!

  • @1508LONDON
  • @aerostudios
  • @stac_architecture
  • @o_plus_a
  • @decoraid
  • @ckda.inc
  • @eastlakestudio
  • @mmosersocial
  • @justinablakeney
  • @malene.barnett

Patience is an important factor to consider in interior design. Building your knowledge, portfolio, and brand takes time. Now that you have a step-by-step guide on how to become an interior designer, you can go out there and live your dream of becoming an interior designer in your own right. Best wishes for making those creative ideas a reality! Have fun designing!

Careers for creative people

FAQs about how to become an interior designer

What qualifications do you need to be an interior designer?

Ans: While formal education is not required, most interior design firms prefer designers to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Interior design programmes are also available at the diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels.

How do I start my interior design career?

Ans: It is necessary to be creative and good at drawing/sketching to pursue a career in interior design, and it is necessary to have a good portfolio. You can also pursue an interior design diploma, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.

Can I become interior designer without degree?

Ans: It is possible to work as an interior designer without a design degree. It is more important to have the necessary skills and knowledge to land projects than to simply have a degree. To become an interior designer without a degree, follow the steps outlined below.
1. Observe and learn
2. Study interior design with a diploma or certification course
3. Seek out formal training
4. Keep upgrading your skills

Do interior designers get paid well?

Ans: The average salary for an entry-level interior designer is around INR 2.5 lakh per year, while a senior interior designer can earn up to INR 30 lakh per year.

Is interior design a stressful job?

Ans: Meeting a client’s specific requirements is a difficult task. Regardless of the industry, no one wants to hear their client say, “I didn’t like it.” The stress level can rise even higher when it comes to interior design because you may not be able to edit or delete mistakes.

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How to become an Interior Designer? Here is a comprehensive guide to becoming an Interior Designer, including salary, college, courses and more!
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