Become an Interior Designer

If you are looking for a unique career with a certain celebrity mystique, Interior Design fits the bill nicely. In fact, you can parlay your good taste and decorating abilities into a lucrative career when you earn your Interior Design credentials.

What is Interior Design?

It is the mission of the Interior Design professional to enhance the function, safety, and visual appeal of Interior spaces. From improving an architectural Design to splashing a warm color on pieces throughout the room, Interior Design professionals are experts at making our living, working, and playing spaces more inviting. Our nation's homes and buildings are the canvases of the Interior Design artist. And as society continues to develop, the opportunities for you in this field will continue to grow.

Opportunities in the Interior Design Field

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employment of Interior Designers is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014. Most of this opportunity will come in both private and commercial Interior Design. After attending one of the Interior Design colleges or technical schools, you will have the opportunity to work with an Interior Design firm or in a freelance capacity.

Desired Skills for Interior Design Professionals

Eye for Aesthetics. Successful Interior Design professionals have a feel for what works and what doesn't in a room or office space.
Vision and Insight. Many Interior Design professionals have the innate ability to visualize the final outcome before ever moving a piece of furniture.
Specialty Knowledge. You can increase your chances of success in the Interior Design industry by specializing in one unique area.

The Road to a Career in Interior Design

Evaluate the schools and colleges that offer degrees in the Interior Design field and make your selection. Learn as much about the industry as you can before you graduate. Use the contacts you make throughout your program of study to set up employment opportunities after you graduate.

Interior Design Colleges and Schools

	Who They Are: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division What They Offer: BS in Interior Design and Diploma in Residential Planning What You Learn: The Residential Planning diploma focuses on areas including kitchen and bath design, along with residential space planning. The Interior Design degree teaches Computer aided drafting and design,commercial, and industrial space planning, and the history of architecture and design. Need to Know: Graduates of the Residential Planning program can transfer all credits earned to the BS degree.
	Who They Are: American InterContinental University, in Weston, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia What They Offer: Bachelor of Interior Design What You Learn: How to create interior spaces that mesh with a building's architecture. Courses cover building systems, lighting, color, and materials. Need to Know: Students can choose from elective courses and internships to customize their learning to their interests.
	Who They Are: Antonelli College in Cincinnati, Ohio and Jackson, Mississippi What They Offer: Associate degree in Interior Design What You Learn: This program is focused on developing the creative skills used in translating client needs to interior space usage, and covers residential kitchen and bath, window and wall treatments, and lighting. Students learn CADD and the principles of residential and commercial design. Need to Know: Financial aid may be available to those that qualify. The school also provides career placement assistance.
	Who They Are: Baker College in Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Clinton Township, Flint, Muskegon and Owosso, Michigan What They Offer: Associate and bachelor's degrees in Interior Design; Certificate in Kitchen and Bath Design What You Learn: Beginning with a study of architecture and design, students learn the materials and techniques used to create effective, useful interior spaces. The bachelor's program includes courses in commercial design and historic preservation. Need to Know: Students get an introduction to computer aided design in all programs. Not every program is offered at every campus.
	Who They Are: Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia What They Offer: Associate Degree in Interior Design What You Learn: The creative and technical techniques used in interior design, communicating with clients using the language of design, and strategic planning techniques. The Buzz: Graduates are prepared for a variety of entry-level positions in the interior design and construction fields.
	Who They Are: Berkeley College in Paramus, New Jersey What They Offer: AAS in Interior Design What You Learn: The history, materials, and practices of interior design, including residential and contract design. Courses include CAD and Drafting, Architectural Construction, and model making. Need to Know: The program includes an internship and a master research project.
	Who They Are: Brown College, in Mendota Heights, Minnesota (near Minneapolis) What They Offer: Bachelor of Science in Interior Design What You Learn: Skills in architectural drafting and computer aided design, along with an understanding of building codes and structural systems. The Buzz: Students develop design concepts, and turn them into spaces that meet client needs.
	Who They Are: Collins College, in Tempe, Arizona What They Offer: Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design What You Learn: How to use space planning and computer aided design tools to transform design concepts for interior spaces into functional, workable living and working spaces. The program also covers building codes and regulations. The Buzz: Hands-on experience and an internship prepares students for entry-level positions in interior design.
	Who They Are: Harrington College of Design in Chicago, Illinois What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor degrees in Interior Design What You Learn: The Associate degree teaches drafting, drawing, and perspective. The Bachelor degree covers advanced topics, including ADA compliance, building codes, and project management. Need to Know : Harrington's programs are accredited by CIDA - the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
	Who They Are: Hesser College, in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Salem, New Hampshire What They Offer: Associate degree in Interior Design. What You Learn: How to create designs for interior spaces using colors, fabrics, and lighting. Students learn basic drafting skills, and become familiar with space planning and general business skills. The Buzz: An externship and field trips help broaden the student's design horizons.
	Detroit, Michigan Las Vegas, Nevada Nashville, Tennessee Sacramento, CA Seattle, Washington Tampa, Florida Who They Are: International Academy of Design & Technology What They Offer: Associate Degree in Interior Design What You Learn: This program provides the education needed for an entry-level position in residential, commercial, or contract design. Students develop creative and technical skills, including drafting, space planning, and building systems. Need to Know: Exact programs vary by campus. Click a link above to learn more.
	Chicago, Illinois Schaumburg, Illinois Detroit, Michigan Las Vegas, Nevada Nashville, Tennessee Orlando, Florida Sacramento, CA Seattle, Washington Tampa, Florida Who They Are: International Academy of Design & Technology What They Offer: Bachelor Degree in Interior Design What You Learn: The comprehensive Bachelor degree program provides advanced studies in the interior design field, and includes in-depth studies of color, lighting, and material selection, along with business practices. The Buzz: While an associate's degree can get you started as an interior designer, a bachelor's degree is required for management and senior positions in the field.
	Who They Are: Louisville Technical Institute in Louisville, Kentucky What They Offer: Interior Design diploma, Associate, and Bachelor's degrees What You Learn: The diploma program teaches residential design, including space planning, drafting, and interior finishes. The degrees go into more depth in kitchen design, lighting techniques, and business operations. They include an externship.
	Who They Are: New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, Rhode Island What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor degrees in Interior Design Technology What You Learn: Both programs introduce students to the most current interior design standards, and include courses in space planning, color, and drawing presentation, using a combination of lecture and studio classes. The Buzz: Earn an Associate degree in 18 months, or the bachelor degree in 3 years, and be prepared for the job market.
	Who They Are: Robert Morris College in Chicago and DuPage, Illinois What They Offer: Associate Degree in Interior Design What You Learn: Creative and practical skills in the areas of space planning, material selection and furnishings. Need to Know: Coursework includes training in manual and computer aided CAD and drafting.
	Who They Are: Southwest Florida College in Ft. Myers and Tampa, FL What They Offer: Associate degree in Interior Design and Decorating. The Ft. Myers campus also offers a bachelor's degree. What You Learn: Design skills and the technical background needed to pursue a career in residential or commercial interior design.
	Who They Are: Westwood College in Atlanta, Georgia, Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Upland California, Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Calumet City, Schiller Park, and DuPage, Illinois, and Arlington and Annandale, Virginia. This program is also offered online. What They Offer: Bachelor degree in Interior Design What You Learn: Beginning with the principles of design, including color theory and drawing skills, this program provides an in-depth look at interior design practices, including space planning, residential and commercial design requirements, construction technology, lighting, and interior finishing. The Buzz: In addition to learning about design, Westwood's graduates gain an understanding of business principles and practices that can be used when starting their own interior design firms.


	Architectural Design CADD - Drafting Interior Design

Penn Foster Career School
What They Offer: Interior Decorator Diploma
What You Learn: Interior design principles, and how to choose design elements for walls, furniture, and lighting.