What it’s about:

This major provides academic preparation for professional practice as an interior designer. You learn how to create indoor environments that are both beautiful and functional; they are intended to improve the quality of life, increase productivity, and protect the health and safety of the public.

What the study of this major is like:

Interior design majors study all aspects of the built environment: scale, proportion, arrangement, light sources, acoustics, temperature, textures, colors, and materials. Because interior design projects are complex, you learn to employ a systematic process, you balance the client’s needs and resources, on the one hand, with the goal of creating safe, attractive, and practical interior, on the other.

To design successful interior environments, you must be trained in building construction, materials specification, lighting techniques, technical drawing, and business practices. You learn to analyze problem areas; develop detailed design solutions; and organize and oversee the project to completion. You must be familiar with building codes and fire regulations. And because interior designers usually function as members of a team rather than as individual designers, you need to be able to work well with other professionals.

Programs usually consist of a series of design courses that culminate in a senior thesis. Generally, studio courses use a hands-on approach; the professor presents a problem and you work on a solution, discussing and evaluating your progress with the instructor. As you advance through the program, you will be expected to demonstrate increasing skill in tackling such problems.

Undergraduate majors receive a generalized education in interior design. Nevertheless, some programs may emphasize architecture or environmental design, whereas others stress fine arts or family and consumer science. Programs with an architectural focus generally concentrate on three-dimensional design, construction practices, and large-scale commercial projects. These programs tend to prepare you for wok in large architectural and interior design firms. Programs that concentrate on fine arts or family and consumer sciences usually focus on the decorative aspects of the field-fixtures and furniture, selection and layout, and coordination of finishes. Also some programs feature residential design, while others highlight commercial and/or institutional design. However, standards ensure that all accredited programs prepare you for entry-level professional work in either residential or commercial/institutional design.

Career options and trends:

Interior designer*; furniture designer; lighting designer; facilities manager; real estate broker; trade show exhibit designer, product representative.

Interior designers work for interior design firms, architectural firms, department and home furnishing stores, theme parks and resorts, and hotel and restaurant chains. Some designers do freelance work full-time, part-time, or in addition to a salaried job. Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and normally need one to three years of apprenticeship before they advance to higher-level positions.

Ergonomics and “green design” are trends to watch. Ergonomic design is important for an aging population and workplace safety, and concerns for environmental quality and the needs of people with allergies and asthma are driving demand for green design.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors