Interior and Furniture

Postsecondary education—especially a bachelor’s degree—is recommended for entry-level positions in interior design. In
addition, 24 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico register or license interior designers. Following formal training,
graduates usually enter a 1-year to 3-year apprenticeship to gain experience before taking a national licensing exam or joining a
professional association. Designers in States that do not require the exam may opt to take it as proof of their qualifications. The
National Council administers the licensing exam for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). To be eligible to take the exam,
applicants must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience in interior design, of which at least 2 years
constitute postsecondary education in design. Once candidates have passed the qualifying exam, they are granted the title of
Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer, depending on the State. Continuing education is required in order to
maintain one’s licensure. Training programs are available from professional design
schools or from colleges and universities and usually take 2 to 4 years to complete. Graduates of 2-year and 3-year programs
are awarded certifi cates or associate’s degrees in interior design and normally qualify as assistants to interior designers upon graduation. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees usually qualify for entry into a formal design apprenticeship program. Basic coursework includes computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, perspective, spatial planning, color and fabrics, furniture design, architecture, ergonomics, ethics, and psychology. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits approximately 250 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design. Most of these schools award a degree in interior
design. Applicants may be required to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability. The Foundation for Interior Design Education Research also accredits
interior design programs that lead to a bachelor’s degree. In 2005, there were 137 accredited bachelor’s degree programs in
interior design in the United States, located primarily in schools of art, architecture, and home economics. After the completion of formal training, interior designers will
enter a 1-year to 3-year apprenticeship to gain experience before taking a licensing exam. Most apprentices work in design or
architecture fi rms under the strict supervision of an experienceddesigner. Apprentices also may choose to gain experience working as an in-store designer in furniture stores. The NCIDQ offers the
Interior Design Experience Program (IDEP), which helps entry-level interior designers gain valuable work experience by supervising
work experience and offering mentoring services and workshops to new designers.
Following the apprenticeship, designers will take the national licensing exam or choose to become members of a professional
association. Because registration or licensure is not mandatory in all States, membership in a professional association is an indication of an interior designer’s qualifi cations and professional standing. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the largest professional association for interior designers in the United States. Interior designers can qualify for membership with at least a 2-year or higher degree and work experience.

In addition to national licensure and membership in a professional association, optional certifi cations in kitchen and bath design are available from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The association offers three different levels of certifi cation for kitchen and bath designers, each completed through training seminars that culminate in certifi cation exams.
Employers increasingly prefer interior designers who are familiar with CAD software. Interior designers also increasingly need to know the basics of architecture and engineering in order to ensure that their designs meet building safety codes.In addition to possessing technical knowledge, interior designers must be creative, imaginative, and persistent and must
be able to communicate their ideas in writing, visually, and verbally. Because tastes in style can change quickly, designers
need to be well read, open to new ideas and infl uences, and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and the
ability to work independently and under pressure are important traits. People in this fi eld need self-discipline to start projects
on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules. Good business sense and sales ability
also are important, especially for those who freelance or run their own business.
Beginning interior designers receive on-the-job training and normally need 1 to 3 years of training before they can advance to
higher level positions. Experienced designers in large fi rms may advance to chief designer, design department head, or some other supervisory position. Some experienced designers open their own
fi rms or decide to specialize in one aspect of interior design. Other designers leave the occupation to become teachers in schools of design or in colleges and universities. Many faculty members continue to consult privately or operate small design studios to complement their classroom activities.