Interior designing has always been an alluring career for creative people. The idea of transforming a blank canvas of a room into a luxurious spa, a holistic clinic or simply an extension of your client’s personality is an opportunity few want to miss.
However, working as a successful interior designer and stylist involves a lot more than selecting the right furniture. You need to possess knowledge in colour scheme, space utilisation, lighting, designing, and using various software.
So how can you gain these skills and set your interior design career in motion? Read on to find out.
Formal education
Securing an interior designing degree is a sure-shot way of launching your career. Recruiters prefer candidates who have a robust educational background that solidifies their proficiency.
You may have foundational skills, but receiving an education involves more than building competence. By learning under an experienced faculty, you study the theoretical part and understand how the industry operates. You also learn about the latest trends, popular skills, and the sought-after specialisations in interior design. Your university acts as a safe playground where you can try everything this industry has to offer and narrow down your interests. Moreover, an educational institution is a great place to build your network and make contacts that will pave your path towards a successful career.
However, you can only take advantage of these benefits if you enrol into a good learning institution. Many institutions offer a degree in interior design. But the fruits of your labour will multiply tenfold if you earn your diploma from a creditable university’s training programme.
Hands-on experience
While your degree prepares you for your career, experience moulds it. Receiving experience in interior design and styling will help you understand how things work in the real world. You will understand what an interior designer and stylist deal with in their day-to-day lives, the needs of the clients, and how to interact with them. Your education will teach you the ‘how’ part of the job – how to use designing software, how to design the layout, how to use lighting to give the space a specific look. Experience takes care of the ‘which’ part’ – which of these skills will satisfy your client’s needs.
Experience does not have to mean working full time at an interior design firm. You can work as an intern to get a taste of the industry, enhance your skills, and level up your understanding.
Qualification required to study interior designing and styling
Here are the qualifications you need to get a degree in interior design and styling.
If you are applying for a 4-year undergraduate course, you need to pass your intermediate or Class 12 in the field of arts, science, or commerce to apply.
Although it is not mandatory, earning a post-graduate degree will put you ahead of the competition. To apply for a postgraduate degree in interior design and styling, you need to be a graduate. Most institutions accept any graduate degree. However, an undergraduate degree in interior design or other relevant disciplines would be preferred.
Additional courses in design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, Easyhome Homestyler, Substance by Adobe, etc., will also set you apart.
Along with your education, you can even apply for internships to enhance your resume. These internships can be arranged by your university, or you can secure one off-campus.
Conclusion
Interior designing and styling is a popular degree that attracts many candidates each year. While the qualification criteria allow for a vast number of candidates, it also breeds cutthroat competition. So upgrade your skills by getting the best possible education and experience to qualify for the job of your dreams.