A Practical Detailed Guide to Interior Design Course

An interior designer implements their creativity and design skills to convert a normal-looking room into a comfortable space. They use their aesthetic sense in the best possible way and make the environment look attractive, stylish, and comfortable.

“The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilised, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what’s in or what’s out. This is not an easy job”- Albert Hadley

An interior designer plans, researches, coordinates and manages such projects, and the interior design course has become very popular at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Interior designing is an art that utilizes space more effectively and efficiently using various techniques of architecture, colors, textures, designs, furniture. An interior designer adds richness, uniqueness, and style to the given space.

But before you get into this profession it is important to enroll in a professional course that gives you the right knowledge and direction about interior designing. The interior design course requires some incidentals and someone who wants to make a career out of Interior designing should have the required aptitude.

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Mentioned below are some key skills one needs to have to ace every aspect of this field:

Knowledge of texture, materials, and trends:

This is one of the essential parts of any designer’s vocabulary because without texture a scheme will fall short of the mark. Adding texture to a room is very important as it simply produces a sensation and makes certain aspects stand out more.

An interior designer should also have an in-depth knowledge of products and materials they may use in their projects. They should also have a clear idea about which material will go best with which settings. In the interior designing market, the person must be more focused on macro trends which are longer lasting.

Drawing aptitude:

It is one of the most important skills in Interior design. The whole concept of putting your ideas to paper helps in articulating ideas and visualizing the design that one has in mind. Knowing how to draw well is very necessary if one is serious about this career.

Team worker:

A business thrives when there is a diverse team of people who contribute individual ideas, and a good team worker actively listens to their co-workers. A career option like interior design will have one to interact with different people and It is very important that the ideas are heard and respected and he or she should understand their team’s success is their success.

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Visual Sensitivity and color sense:

Colors are the fundamental building block in interior design, and it is very important for a designer to know and understand how and which combination of colors will look good together and work in the given environment.

A person having an eye for the style of designs should understand the colors are not only used for walls and floors but also with furniture, accessories, and more. The basic idea of which combination to be used and what will impress visually can make a design successful.

Good communication skills:

Good communication skill is a very important tool for any job. An interior designer is expected to effectively communicate the ideas successfully to their clients. At the same time, the person should also have excellent listening skills.

Working in tandem with contractors and other professionals who will be responsible for carrying out the work not only requires superior communication and listening skills but also polite behavior with the group of people one is going to work with.

Organized and Multitasker:

An interior designer should be extremely organized. A project must be completed on time and within the given budget. A client is never going to give business to someone who is not able to deliver the project on time or within the given cost. Although some unexpected delays and expenses can happen a designer should know how to plan out everything so that these surprises are in your plans ahead of time.

Technical knowledge:

Good knowledge of technology helps an interior designer stay organized. It also helps to digitally enhance the design concepts.

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The above are a few of the skills that are needed to be a good interior designer. But it is also very important to have passion, a positive attitude, and enthusiasm towards this profession. For students who have a creative bend and can visualize their plans and transform their ideas from being mere drawings to reality can think of pursuing this career.

Interior designing is a professional course and there are 618 Interior Design colleges in India. Out of this number, 65% are private, 5% are government and around 2% are public-private institutes. The course can be pursued by candidates through different modes of study such as full-time, part-time, distance/correspondence, online. The course is offered at colleges all over the country with a maximum number of colleges located in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

There are as many as 363 diploma courses in interior designing followed by 348-degree courses and 194 certificate courses.

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Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for this course vary. It depends on the level of the interior design course you are choosing and the college that is offering this course.

However, some broad eligibility criteria are necessary for the course which is offered in the colleges in India. Besides these, colleges could have their specifications.

Eligibility Criteria for Interior Design Course at Undergraduate Level

• The applicant should have cleared class 12th from any recognized board.
• The applicant should have studied Mathematics and Physics in their 12th standard. (although some colleges might not keep it as a mandatory criterion)
• The applicant should have obtained a minimum of 55% marks
• Entrance exams and a portfolio are important factors.

Eligibility Criteria for Interior Design Course at Postgraduate Level

• The applicant should have cleared class 12th from any recognized board.
• The applicant should have obtained a minimum of 55% marks.
• The applicant should have a graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks in a related field
• It is recommended that the applicant have a portfolio of their own, which displays the best of the work.

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Many entrance exams are conducted for this field:

NATA: National Inst. of Advanced studies in architecture conducts this exam. It allows the student to be a part of the architecture course.

NID DAT: One of the premier Design institutes of the country, this institute conducts its own entrance exam for designing courses. Every year there is a lot of participation in this exam.

CEED: Common Entrance Exam for Design is another entrance exam that is held for designing students which are held in the IIT’s.

CEPT: Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology also conducts its exam for interior designing.

SEED: Symbiosis Institute conducts the Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design and is one of the top colleges there is a huge competition to get admission to this institute.

AIEED: The All-India Entrance Exam for Design is conducted by the ARCH Academy of Design. This is an online exam.

Colleges conduct their own exams, group discussions, problem-solving discussions, interviews. Besides the exams and the interviews, the students also have to submit their portfolios which consist of their best work. To get into the National Institute of Design the students need to appear for National level exams.

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Course Subjects

The syllabus of the interior design course is vast and the course covers subjects as Art and Basic Design, History of Interior Design, Furnishings and Fittings, Furniture Design, Construction and Materials, Computer-Aided Design, and Professional Management Display. There are other areas also which are covered in the course which include lettering, properties of materials, the technology of paint, designs used for exhibitions.

Below mentioned are the few subjects which are taught as part of the interior design course.

For BSc (Bachelor of Science) in interior design students will be covering these subjects:

• Arts and Graphics
• Drawing Techniques
• History of Interior Design
• Environmental studies
• Basic Design Principles
• Model Making
• Materials and Construction Techniques
• Communication Skills
• Skill to develop spoken English
• Building Services
• Interior Design styling
• Fire Safety and Security systems

For BDes (Bachelor of Design) in interior design course students will be covering below mentioned subjects:

• Fundamentals of Structure
• Theory of Design
• Communication skills
• Fundamentals of Design
• Introduction to Computers
• Research Strategies and Design process
• Analytical Drawing
• History of Crafts and Interior Design
• Anthropometry and Ergonomics
• Technical Drawing and Computer applications
• Interior Construction
• Building Services

For Diploma in Interior Design some of the subjects taught are mentioned below:

• Design Elements and Process
• Colour and Visualization
• Flat rendering and Layouts
• Auto CAD
• Presentation and Communication skills
• Decor and Planning
• Space layout and Design
• Material sourcing and Costing

There is another interior design course which is Interior Architecture Design and some topics which are taught to the applicants under this course is mentioned below:

• Principles of Interior Design
• Design Process
• Interior Design Environments
• Residential Interior Design
• Architectural Illustration, Drawing, and Photography
• CAD
• History of Interior Design
• Research Methodology
• Lighting Design Fundamentals
• Interior Design for Commercial and Institutional Spaces
• Retail Display and Design
• Building Materials and Construction Methods
• CAD and 3D visualizations
• Furniture Design and Spaces

These are the few subjects that will be taught during the Interior Design course apart from these a lot of electives will also be offered. Students will be given a lot of case studies. They will also be working in professional workspaces as this helps them enhance their skills, knowledge, and confidence.

Top Interior Design Courses in India

An aspirant must do the interior design course from a reputed college. Many interior designing colleges in India offer training in different courses. Mentioned below are the top interior colleges in India. These colleges offer the best training and education which helps the students to learn to create the designs and craft for their future projects.

1. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad:

This is an autonomous body established in the year 1961. The institute has three campuses with two located in Paldi in Ahmedabad, the postgraduate campus which is located at Gandhinagar, and the R&D campus which is in Bangalore. Admission to any program offered at the institution can be secured after clearing the Design Aptitude Test.

The total Fee for the course will be somewhere between INR 5.79 Lakhs to INR 7.54 Lakhs. The duration of the course for BDes is 4 years and for the masters is 2.5 years.

2. CEPT University, Gujarat:

The faculty of Design was established in 1991. The university has five faculties which are- Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Planning, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Design, and Faculty of Management. the students can secure admission to the interior design course by clearing the entrance exam conducted by the university. The duration of the course at an undergraduate level is 5 years and the total Fee is INR 16 Lakhs.

3. Arch Academy of Design, Jaipur:

This university was established in the year 2000. To secure admission in their interior designing course students should clear the All-India Entrance Exam for Design (AIEED). The applicant should also submit a portfolio and should also clear the interview to secure admission. The duration of the course for the undergraduate level is 4 years and the Fee structure is INR 15 lakh approximately. The total Fees for the postgraduate level are INR 6.70 Lakhs and the duration is for 2 years.

4. JJ School of Arts, Mumbai:

The institute was established in the year 1857 with elementary drawing and design classes. The applicant should clear MH-AAC-CET (Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test) to secure admission to this reputed college. The duration for Bachelor’s degree is 4 years and the total course fee is INR 3 Lakhs. For the Master’s course, the total Fees are INR 60 Thousand and the duration for the course is 2 years.

5. College of Architecture, Nashik:

The college was established in the year 1914 and apart from this college has 78 Pre-Primary and Primary schools, 146 Secondary Schools, 18 Hostels, 2 Junior Training Colleges, 49 Higher Secondary Schools, 11 Degree College, 8 ITI colleges, Medical college, Engineering college and college of Architecture and Design.

The eligibility for admission is decided based on performance by the applicant in Common Entrance Test (CET) which is conducted by the college. The student has to pass the General Ability Test, Creative Ability Test, and Studio Test. The duration of the Bachelor’s degree is 4 years. The Fees for the bachelor’s degree will be approx. INR 1.40 per annum.

6. Exterior Interiors Pvt Ltd, Kolkata:

The College which was established in the year 1986 has branches in other cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Durgapur, Dhaka, Ghaziabad, and Bhilai. Interested candidates should have passed 10+2 from a recognized board and can apply directly to the college. The interested students need to register themselves on the college website to get a detailed Fee structure.

7. Pearl Academy, Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, and Jaipur:

The institution which is established in the year 1993, offers a two-year course in Interior Design. The course has its validation from Domus, Milan. Interested candidates should clear a written test which is followed by an Interview. The duration of the course for the undergraduate level is 4 years and the total Fee for the course is INR 23.5 Lakhs.

8. Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore:

The institute was established in the year 1996 and has courses in design, management, and technology for vocational training as well as post-graduation. The admission into interior design is on first cum first serve basis. The course duration for a bachelor’s degree in interior designing is 3 years and the Course Fee is INR 10.74 Lakhs.

9. Sai School of Interior Design, New Delhi:

This institute was established in the year 1998 and the Degree and Diploma programs offered are in affiliation with LASE Deemed University, Rajasthan. Interested students should register themselves on the college website to get a detailed structure of fees

Apart from the above-mentioned top colleges, there are many other colleges for interior designing courses in India. Out of which around 12% are expensive whose Fee structure is more than INR 5 Lakhs. E.g., IIT Guwahati, Amity University in Noida, and Mumbai.

• 10 % of interior design colleges charge somewhere between INR 3-5 Lakhs. E.g., International School of Design, Kolkata. Artemisia College, Madhya Pradesh.
• 6% of interior designing colleges charge around INR 2-3 Lakhs. E.g., International School of Design, Pune. LISAA School of Design, Bangalore.
• Around 11% of colleges charge between INR 1-2 Lakhs as their Fees.  E.g., NIFT, Delhi. YMCA, Delhi.
• About 13% of the design colleges in India are in the affordable range with a Fee structure of less than INR 1 Lakh. E.g., NIFT, Kannur and Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Mumbai.

There is a huge demand for Interior designers these days. Not only there is an increase in the number of people who want their dream home designed but also there are several upcoming restaurants, shops, offices, etc that want their spaces designed around a particular theme.

Aesthetics is an important part of any office space and an efficient design makes an office looks professional. Restaurants and shops often take off in their business based on their cool interiors.

But to pursue it as a career one must have a creative imagination as this is a very creative profession that asks for original and practical work. Establishing goodwill amongst customers and giving them what they like is what this profession asks for. After finishing the course one can teach, practice in a firm, or be self-employed in this profession.

In today’s competitive world there is much more demand for interior designing than it used to be. There is a much greater need for a competent design and there is a good demand for interior designers. With many institutes offering courses in this field many people are taking this course to meet the growing demand in the job market.

A career in interior designing

The opportunity available in the market varies depending on the type of course and the competence of the institute offering the course. Generally, the top institutes equip candidates with all the necessary skills and tools required to succeed in the competitive field.

A career in interior design can prove very fruitful but the aspirant needs to work hard and should make full use of the course they would have taken.

At the beginning of their career, it is better to work with Architectural firms so that one can gain more professional knowledge. However, after gaining confidence and professional knowledge many try to get into the entrepreneur field.

After completing the interior design course aspirants can straight away apply for a job. If you like to pursue higher education in this field there are many courses available. There are many other courses that Interior Design graduates can pursue to enhance their skills.

• MDes in Interior Design
• MVoc in Interior Designing and Business Management
• PG Programme in Interior Design and Styling
• MDes in Furniture and Interior Design
• MBA in Interior Designing
• MSc in Interior Design
• Diploma in Interior Designing
• Master Diploma in Interior Designing
• Advance Diploma in Interior Designing

Professional Certificate in Styling for Interior

• Certificate in Styling for Home
• Certificate in Textiles for Interiors and Fashion

There are many job opportunities for Interior Design graduates. Apart from being Interior Designer, there is also an opportunity to become Interior Decorators, Exhibition Designers, Theatre/Set Designers, Window/Display Designer.

Interior design course is a creative course for those who have an aptitude to do something different. It’s all about spatial design, doing the best out of less, and bringing a personality to any space.