Online Degrees in Interior Design

Interior Design Degrees

Interior design is a field that presents a wide range of opportunities for the right candidate. Today's larger houses, combined with the busy lifestyles of the people who live in them, means that there is often a need for professional interior designers and decorators to be called in to make those houses feel more like warm and welcoming homes. Interior design does not stop at the home, either - offices, restaurants, nightclubs and all manner of businesses open to the public know the value of creating an inviting atmosphere, and are willing to pay for professional design help.

You can begin your study of interior design with an associate degree, studying space planning, interior construction and detail, building and safety codes, drafting, rendering and computer-aided design (CAD). After receiving this degree, you could go to work as a design assistant with an architectural or design firm, and after gaining four years' work experience, you could sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam to gain licensure as an interior designer.

In a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program in interior design, you will focus on the same subjects as you would in an AAS degree program, but you will have added opportunities for participating in school-sponsored design competitions, showcase opportunities and internships, and after serving a professional apprenticeship upon graduation, you can sit for the NCIDQ exam. The BFA in interior design will also prepare you for work in design journalism, design management or education. You may even go on to pursue your MFA in interior design if you have your eye on working for one of the top design firms, or perhaps starting your own high-end interior design business.