Become an Interior Designer in the United States

As an interior designer, you get to combine your eye for beauty with technical skills involving blueprints and building codes. If you want to excel in this exciting career, you need to acquire the skills and take steps to establish yourself in the field. While you don't need a degree to be an interior designer in the United States, it will help you to perfect your skills and give you a smoother path to your licensing exam.

Steps

Acquiring Interior Design Skills

1. Familiarize yourself with the technical aspects. Study decorating aspects like furniture arrangement, color, and fabric. Beyond these basics, do research on structural design, compliance with local building codes, and the installation of utilities. Finally, you'll need to learn about accessibility for disabled clients and the eco-friendliness of materials you use in your trade.
   • For decorating aspects, read design and art appreciation books at your public library.
   • For info on building codes, visit your city hall or the website for your city government.
   • To learn about utility installation, take classes at your local community college or tech school.
2. Get to know popular American design styles. Look at magazines, books, and websites to explore different styles. Watch home decorating shows and videos. Stay abreast on what's “in” and what's “out” each season. Your potential clients will likely follow these trends, as well, so it's best to know what to expect.
   • Read the magazine House Beautiful.
   • Read the magazine Better Homes and Gardens.
   • Watch the PBS series “For Your Home.”
3. Hone your skills in your own space. Give your home or office a makeover. Look through magazines and professional journals for ideas. Aim for a look that's functional and appealing to the eye.
4. Improve your computer skills. Learn to use computer-aided design (CAD) software to test different layouts. Make an effort to master presentation software for pitching your work to an audience. You should also learn to use video conferencing software like Skype and Zoom for clients who live beyond commuting distance.
   • Classes through edX are free for non-certificate programs. Expect to pay a small fee for a certificate.
   • Classes through Udemy cost as little as $10 each.
   • Classes at your local community college or tech school charge tuition, usually on a per-credit-hour basis.

Obtaining a Degree in Interior Design

1. Decide on your degree. Choose from an Associate degree, a Bachelor's degree, or Master's Degree. The degree you earn will determine how much work experience you need to accumulate before you can sit for your licensing examination. However, it usually won't determine your starting salary.
2. Find an accredited program. Look for an accreditation statement noting the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This group develops rigorous standards and guidelines for interior design education. A Bachelor's or Master's degree from a CIDA-accredited program will provide a smoother path to your licensing exam than degrees from non-accredited programs.
3. Talk to a faculty member. Set up in-person meetings or video chats with instructors from the schools you're considering. If possible, make appointments with department heads or program chairs. Ask them about the classes in the program, the teaching philosophy of program faculty, and the job placement rate for graduates.
4. Take standardized tests, if necessary. Many schools require scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or Register for the ACT. Check the websites of your prospective schools for the minimum acceptable score in each subject area. Download the study guides online and aim for the scores required from the schools you're considering.
   • For example, the New York School of Interior Design admits students who average a composite score of 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT.
   • If English isn't your mother tongue, you might have to demonstrate English proficiency with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or similar exam.
5. Apply to multiple schools. Interior design programs are often highly competitive. Some admit less than 50 percent of all applicants. To improve your chances of getting into a program, choose at least three to five that fit your budget.
6. Compile the application requirements. Pay the application fee and order your high school and/or past college transcript(s). Ask past teachers and/or employers for letters of recommendation. Finally, write a compelling short essay (usually 300-500 words) as outlined in the application instructions. Writing prompts vary by school, but some questions to address include:
   • Why are you applying to the school?
   • Why do you want to become an interior designer?
   • How do you develop your ideas?
7. Put together a portfolio. Create a physical album of your work for paper photographs. Save digital files on a CD, flash drive, or professional website. If your prospective school requires a portfolio, get clarification on the size, resolution, file type (jpeg., tiff, etc.), and whether you can upload it as a zip file. To build your portfolio:
   • Include a brief introduction of yourself and/or your résumé.
   • Add sketches of your ideas.
   • Include photographs of your most impressive projects.
8. Apply for financial aid. Look into scholarships that your prospective schools offer. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for the Pell Grant, federal student loans, and federal work-study opportunities. Search online for non-profits and/or for-profit businesses that offer scholarships or grants.
9. Accept an admission offer. If more than one school accepts you, weigh your decision carefully. Visit the campuses if you live close to them. If that's not possible, consider which school offers you the best financial aid package and fastest time to graduation.
10. Take all required courses. Expect to take general education courses even if you're attending a school of art and design. Try to take these courses in the first half of your studies so that you can focus on your major courses for the rest of your education. Follow the recommended degree plan as closely as your schedule will allow you.

Establishing Yourself in Your Career

1. Expect to work with people. You must be a people person and a people pleaser. Practice patience and a non-stop willingness to help. Be prepared to work with dream clients, as well as ones who are indecisive or demanding.
2. Join a professional association. Check out groups like the American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association. Join the Designer Society of America to be entered into a searchable database that matches you with potential clients, and receive a free online portfolio. These organizations help you to network and continue your professional development throughout your career.
3. Expect to work as an apprentice at first. Before you can get licensed, the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) requires you to work for 1,760 hours after you receive your degree. To fulfill this requirement, seek out experienced designers to work with. Get recommendations from your professors or campus career center. If you're not in school, make connections through a professional association.
4. Get licensed. States' licensing standards vary but usually include sitting for a certification examination from the NCIDQ. Take advantage of any test prep workshops your school offers. The NCIDQ website provides information on testing and how to become an interior designer in the United States.

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References

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