How to become an interior designer

CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become an interior designer.

In this article:

1. Step 1: Is being a interior designer for me?
2. Step 2: High School
3. Step 3: Formal Education Steps
4. Step 4: Licensure
5. Step 5: Specializations
6. Step 6: Certifications

Is becoming an interior designer right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

What do interior designers do?
Career Satisfaction
Are interior designers happy with their careers?
Personality
What are interior designers like?

Still unsure if becoming an interior designer is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an interior designer or another similar career! Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

High School

• Art and Design: Courses in art and design can help you develop your creativity and aesthetic sense, which are important skills for an interior designer. Consider taking courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and graphic design.
• Math: Interior design often involves measuring and calculating dimensions, materials, and costs. Courses in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry can help you develop these skills.
• Computer Science: Many interior designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create floor plans and other design drawings. Courses in computer science can help you develop the technical skills needed to use these programs.
• Business: Interior designers often work with clients and need to understand business concepts such as budgets, contracts, and project management. Courses in business, economics, and accounting can be helpful.
• English: Strong communication skills are important for an interior designer, both in writing and in speaking. English courses can help you develop these skills.
• Home Economics: Courses in home economics can give you a foundation in design principles and help you develop practical skills in areas such as sewing, upholstery, and home decor.

Formal Education Steps

• Bachelor’s Degree: Most interior design jobs require a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design or a related field. These programs typically take four years to complete and provide a comprehensive education in design principles, materials and finishes, drafting and rendering, and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Accreditation: Look for interior design programs that are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This ensures that the program meets high standards for quality and prepares students for professional practice.
• Curriculum: Interior design programs typically include courses in design theory, color theory, space planning, drafting, rendering, materials and finishes, lighting, and building codes and regulations. Some programs may also offer courses in business and project management to prepare students for the business aspects of the profession.
• Internships: Many interior design programs require students to complete an internship or other work experience to gain practical experience in the field. This can be a valuable opportunity to build a professional network and gain real-world experience working on design projects.
• Continuing Education: Interior designers must keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and regulations in the field. Continuing education courses, such as those offered by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), can help designers stay current with industry developments and maintain their professional credentials.

Licensure

• Alabama: Interior designers are required to be registered to practice commercial interior design.
• Florida: Interior designers must be licensed by the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design to practice commercial interior design.
• Louisiana: Interior designers must be registered by the Louisiana State Board of Interior Designers to practice interior design.
• Nevada: Interior designers must be registered by the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Residential Design to practice interior design.
• Washington, D.C.: Interior designers must be licensed by the District of Columbia Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture to practice interior design.

The process for licensure for interior designers varies by state but generally includes the following steps:

• Education: Complete a degree program in interior design or a related field from an accredited institution. Some states may have specific educational requirements, such as a minimum number of credit hours in interior design coursework.
• Experience: Gain relevant work experience in interior design through internships, apprenticeships, or employment under a licensed interior designer or design firm. Some states may have experience requirements that must be met before applying for licensure.
• Examination: Pass the required examination(s) administered by the state licensing board or regulatory agency. The examination may cover topics such as building codes, design principles, construction documents, and professional practice standards.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the state licensing board or regulatory agency, along with any required documentation, such as transcripts, proof of experience, and examination scores. Pay any applicable fees associated with the application process.
• Review and Approval: The state licensing board or regulatory agency will review the application to ensure that all requirements have been met. Once the application is approved, the candidate will be issued a license to practice interior design in the state.
• Continuing Education: Maintain the licensure by fulfilling any continuing education requirements mandated by the state licensing board. This may involve completing a certain number of continuing education credits or hours periodically to stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices.

Specializations

• Residential Design: Residential designers focus on designing interior spaces in homes, apartments, and other residential buildings. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in residential design, space planning, and color theory.
• Commercial Design: Commercial designers work on interior spaces in commercial buildings such as offices, retail stores, and hotels. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in commercial design, building codes, and universal design principles.
• Hospitality Design: Hospitality designers specialize in designing interior spaces for the hospitality industry, including hotels, resorts, and restaurants. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in hospitality design, lighting design, and sustainable design principles.
• Healthcare Design: Healthcare designers specialize in designing interior spaces for healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in healthcare design, infection control, and sustainability.
• Sustainable Design: Sustainable designers specialize in creating interior spaces that are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in sustainable design principles, green materials and technologies, and LEED certification.
• Set Design: Set designers specialize in creating interior spaces for film, television, and theater productions. A degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, along with coursework in set design, lighting design, and production design.

Certifications

• NCIDQ Certification: The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is the most widely recognized certification for interior designers in North America. It is a three-part exam that assesses a designer’s knowledge of building systems, codes, and regulations, as well as their design skills.
• LEED Certification: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to professionals who demonstrate expertise in sustainable design. There are several levels of certification, ranging from LEED Green Associate to LEED Fellow.
• WELL Certification: The WELL Building Standard is a certification program that focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. The WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) certification is awarded to professionals who demonstrate knowledge of the standard and its application to interior design.
• CID Certification: The Certified Interior Decorators International (CID) certification is awarded by the Certified Interior Decorators International organization to professionals who demonstrate expertise in interior decoration.
• CKD and CBD Certification: The Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bathroom Designer (CBD) certifications are awarded by the National Kitchen and Bath Association to professionals who demonstrate expertise in kitchen and bathroom design, respectively.
• CCIDC Certification: The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) certification is awarded to professionals who meet education and experience requirements and pass an exam on California codes and regulations.

7 Resources for Starting Your Interior Design Career

Starting a new career in interior design can be exciting! If you’re ready to make this move but aren’t sure where to start, fear not! We’ve put together a list of resources you can use to get started on the road to a creative and rewarding career in interior design.

1. Utilize the internet

It’s not called the World Wide Web for nothing. There’s a plethora of free information out there just waiting to be absorbed. You can watch YouTube videos or read design articles as a preliminary step for chasing this goal. Follow your favorite designers on Instagram as well to get inspiration and even tips, as many of them detail their process on their social media accounts. Knowing your influences can help you succeed in this field.

Even when you become a fully-fledged interior designer, it’s important to keep up with current and predicted interior design trends. By regularly checking in on social media, design websites, and other online resources, you can make sure that you’re able to provide the most up-to-date, trendy designs for your clients.

Ready to get started? Here are some great articles to help you start your interior design career:

• 10 Top Design Trends for 2024
• 10 Ways to Embrace Barbiecore and Add Barbie-Inspired Decor to Your Home
• Summer 2023 Home Decor Trends
• Top Bathroom Design Trends: The Ultimate Guide
• Do Interior Designers Need to Be Certified?
• How to Become an Interior Designer (Guide)

2. Subscribe to industry publications

A great way to learn more and keep up with industry news is by subscribing to design publications. The internet is easy and helpful, but nothing beats building a collection of tangible resources you can pull out on a whim or display as decor.

Having publications handy can be helpful once you’re officially up and running as an interior designer as well. Your clients will appreciate having something to flip through for ideas and you’ll have more resources to pull from when designing their space.

Examples of publications you can line your shelves or adorn your coffee table with include:

3. Listen to podcasts and attend webinars

There’s a podcast for everything these days, and interior design is no different. Find a podcast that catches your interest and listen to it whenever you’re able (on your morning commute, while you cook, as you fall asleep, etc.). Podcasts are often transparent and casual, so they’re a great way to get insight into the life of real interior designers and what could lie in store for you once you’re in the game. Plus, they’re free!

If you’re looking for something more informational and professional, seek out webinars conducted by current designers or design instructors to get the info you’re looking for with visuals for those who learn better that way.

Some design podcasts you can check out are:

• Scratching the Surface
• Design Matters
• Design Nerds Anonymous

4. Gain knowledge through a training program

Interior design may seem easy at first glance, but like most things, there’s more to it than what first meets the eye. You’ll need to know design trends and likely some surface level architecture. This is where a training program can be helpful.

Enrolling in a training program can give you the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an interior designer. It also will look great on your resume when applying to design firms, and you’ll feel more confident in your abilities with the right education under your belt.

5. Consider an internship

An internship is a fantastic way to gain real life experience as well as network. Making professional connections can be crucial when starting a new career. You’ll need references and a good foundation, and working as an intern can get you both.

While not a requirement to work in this field, interning can provide you with invaluable experience and knowledge that could take years to build up on your own without an internship.

If an internship doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, that’s okay! Instead, try seeking out a mentor in the field. This could be someone you work with, or someone you connect with on a professional networking site like LinkedIn. Having a mentor can help you build confidence as a designer and learn more industry tips and tricks from someone who has been there.

6. Get familiar with design software

Interior designers use different software to aide them in their work. It’s important to both learn this software and stay up to date with it. You can take courses on the different software available to designers to get ahead of the game.

Software to check out includes:

7. Get your certification

Credentials can get you far. Having a certification on your resume could set you apart from others going for the same design job. The Designer Society of America (DSA)’s Residential Interior Design Qualification Certification (RIDQC) is just the certification that can do this! The New York Institute of Art and Design (NYIAD)’s Interior Design program is certified by the DSA and therefore will help you gain an education that will benefit you.

Become an interior designer

Are you ready to equip yourself with some or all of these resources? Make your way down the yellow brick design road by enrolling in an interior design program! Once you have training and certification under your belt, you’ll see the options open up and be ready to start your interior design career!

https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/interior-designer/how-to-become/

https://www.nyiad.edu/design-articles/interior-design/resources-to-start-an-interior-design-career