How to Learn Interior Design

Co-authored
Hall by MacKenzie Cain and Kyle
Last Updated: June 26, 2023

Interior design is an exciting profession where you can combine your creative and technical sides.
Because many states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada require certification for you to register as
a “certified interior designer,” it’s important to know where to find the right knowledge when you’re
getting started.[1] We’ve compiled some of the best ways to kickstart your design journey or improve
your interior design skills![2]

1 Choose interior design if you’d

like a technical background or interior
decoration to launch your career
sooner.
Interior design combines aesthetic and practical elements. People commonly confuse
interior decorators with interior designers, but their roles and career paths are different.
Interior decorators make stylistic choices like furnishings and textiles to decorate spaces
 that are already built. Interior designers can decorate, too, but they may also play a role in
making the space itself.[3]
Interior designers must understand technical aspects of construction like build-site
analysis and building systems standards.[4]
Designers require formal education and certification, and in some states, they require
an additional license.
To pursue a career in interior design, plan for 4 years of education and 2 years of work
experience before certification.
Interior decorators do not require formal education or certification to begin working.

Advertisement

2 Pursue a B.A. in interior design or

architecture.
Formal education is a common first step in learning about interior design. The Council for
Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) offers accreditation for bachelor’s and master’s degree
programs, which shows the program meets professional standards.[5] However, your
degree program doesn’t have to be accredited for you to be eligible to take a certification
exam. And besides accreditation, there are a few important things to keep in mind when
choosing a program.[6]
Consider the program’s length, whether it’s online or in-person, the tuition cost, and the
university’s location and size.
Evaluate the program’s rankings, admission rate, and alumni network.
Set up an appointment with a faculty member, admissions officer, or current student if
you need more information to decide if the program is right for you.
Ask about what classes are offered, the program’s specific niche or teaching
philosophy, and the types of jobs students get after graduation.
Be sure to study construction—to be a good designer, it's important to understand what
can be built and what is impractical.[7]
3 Take an online course to
substitute for a B.A. or to add specific
software or industry skills.
Many reputable design schools offer online courses. Look for continuing education or
university extension courses that offer certificates or diplomas. As with professional degree
programs, check the accreditation and rankings of the course.
If you already have a degree unrelated to interior design, online courses that offer
certificates or diplomas can give you the qualification you need to sit for certification
exams.[8]
You can also take online courses to learn new software or to step into a new specialty
like industrial or healthcare design.

Advertisement

4 Practice with design software.

Software is an essential part of modern interior design. With the right tools, you can create
and showcase your best work.[9]
From free online tutorials to paid courses, there are lots of options for learning
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software like AutoCAD LT, SketchUp Pro, and Arcticid 23.
Photography tools like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Capture are also great industry-
standard tools to learn for manipulating images.
To take your software skills to the next level, learn how to use client management
programs created for design firms. Programs like Fugit, Ivy, and Co-Construct assist
with sourcing, purchasing, client and contractor communication, and more.
5 Build your knowledge of material
sourcing.
Good design requires practical knowledge. Plus, understanding the best uses of materials
and sourcing for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) can give you an edge as a newer
designer. Consider the project’s budget and design requirements first when you’re sourcing
materials. For example, will a certain carpet need to be ultra-durable for a busy hallway?
You’ll need to balance the aesthetics of materials with their practical properties like
flammability, durability, sustainability, and even legal codes.[10]
An example of a material-sourcing decision: You need to choose between plywood and
milled lumber for cabinets. Thanks to your sourcing knowledge, you know milled lumber
is more durable, but your project has a small budget, so you choose plywood for
affordability.[11]
Look through design firm libraries, trade magazines, trade fairs, trade associations, and
online databases to learn more about specific materials.[12]
You can also talk to manufacturers and sales representatives to learn more about their
products and how they meet standards.
Bolster your sourcing knowledge with information on cost-estimating methods.
Common methods are square footage assessments (based on the cost of materials for
a given area), itemized budgets (based on estimations for specific material costs), and
quantity takeoffs (based on both estimated material and labor costs).

Advertisement

6 Keep an eye on trends.

Society, technology, and pop culture affect the design industry’s direction. By keeping an
eye on trends within the industry and staying up-to-date on cultural fads, you can create
more current designs. For instance, with the prevalence of technology, designers are
thinking more about how to make spaces appealing when visitors snap photos for social
media.[13]
Even as you experiment with different trends, remember to keep growing your cohesive
style.[14]
 Browse design blogs, books, websites, and social media to keep up with industry
trends.[15] [16]

7 Build a portfolio.
A portfolio shows off your experience and unique style. While it’s ideal to showcase a
diverse number of real projects you’ve worked on, there are plenty of options to expand your
portfolio with less experience. You’ll ideally aim for 8-10 examples of full projects (but 4-5 is
fine if you’re starting). Include a mix of color schemes, mood boards, CAD sketches, interior
photos, and more detailed interior shots of styling.[17]
Be innovative. Your portfolio doesn’t have budget or project timeline constraints, so you
can show off your style through designs that represent what you’d like to do.
If you don’t have real projects from work experience, imagine you’re working on a
specific project. Create mood boards, color schemes, floorplans, and 3-D renderings
that show your capabilities.
Briefly tell the story of each real project in your portfolio. What did the client ask for?
What were the key choices you made?
Include quantitative results in your portfolio. If your cafe remodels helped increase the
number of dine-in customers by 10%, or if the materials you chose cut carbon
emissions by half, those are good metrics to highlight your capabilities.

Advertisement

8 Ask trade specialists to review

your designs.
It’s important that your work is practical and meets regulations. An interior designer’s role
overlaps with architects, civil engineers, electricians, and more, so it’s important to get
those specialized elements correct. By having experts review your work, you can fix errors
and learn what’s correct for future projects.[18]
Before you submit your portfolio for a job application, ask a plumber, electrician, and
carpenter to review it to ensure your designs are practical and up to code.
 As you gain work experience, ask for input from more experienced designers to keep
learning.

9 Choose a specific industry, design

style, or thematic focus for your
career.
Passion for a specific area of design can set you apart as you start to apply for jobs. Do
you want to be a kitchen designer, corporate designer, healthcare designer, or something
else? Whether you want to pursue a broader focus like sustainability or work in a specific
industry like the hotel or restaurant business, you can find a niche.[19]
Identify the type of interior you’d best like to design. For instance, you can go large scale
and design shopping malls as a corporate designer. Or you can go small-scale,
designing houses, lofts, and cabins as a residential designer.
Is there a particular style you’re drawn to? Having a sense of whether you’d like to do
avant-garde, minimalist, or modern design (as just three of the many options!) can help
guide you.
Consider what types of clients you want to work with. For example, would you prefer to
work with homeowners, corporations, or local governments?

Advertisement

10 Obtain work experience.

Professional experience helps you hone your skills. To get a head start, look for an
internship while you’re still getting your degree. Find an entry-level position by reviewing
online job boards, networking with alumni, and visiting your school’s career center. Schedule
informational interviews with people you know in your field to ask about their career paths.
You can learn about the day-to-day life of an interior designer while working towards the
3,520 hours (or 2 years full time) required for certification through the most common
certification exam, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).[20]
 Design firms are more likely to hire new designers for styling contracts rather than
architectural contracts.[21]
Use social media to keep up your network and maintain connections with people you
meet in the industry.
While you’re sharpening your creative skills, use your internship or junior role to also
learn about the business/client side of interior design.[22]
When you’re looking for employers, aim for licensed interior designers or architects who
focus on interior design.[23]

11 Take the NCIDQ or CCIDC exam to

get certified.
Certification gives you credibility and in some places is required by law. If you’re in the U.S.
or Canada, study for and pass the three-part National Council for Interior Design
Qualification exam (NCIDQ). Across the three parts, you’ll demonstrate your knowledge of
design fundamentals, professional practices, and you’ll complete a practicum, which
includes case studies on a small commercial, large commercial, and multi-family residential
project. To be eligible to take the full NCIDQ exam, demonstrate formal training through a
B.A. in interior design or certificate program, and gain 3,520 hours (or 2 years full-time) of
work experience under a licensed interior designer or architect.[24]
If you’re in your final year of a B.A. and don’t have work experience, apply to take just the
Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) and then take the other two exam parts
(Interior Design Professional Exam and Practicum) after you complete your required
work hours.[25] .
Score above 500 on all parts of the test to pass. A score of 200 designates zero correct
answers and a score of 800 means all answers are correct.[26]
If you’re in California, take the IDEX by the California Council for Interior Design
Certification (CCIDC) instead of the NCIDQ to get certified.[27]

Advertisement
12 Register with your state as an
interior designer.
You may need an additional state license to practice as an interior designer. For most
states, passing the NCIDQ is considered sufficient certification. [28] However, if you live in
a state that requires additional registration, apply for a license through the board or
department that oversees professional regulation.[29]
Nevada, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require mandatory
registration to practice as an interior designer.[30]
Gather the required materials including transcripts, a completed work experience
section, NCIDQ verification, and application fee.
There are no federal licensing requirements, so be sure to check what you need for your
state.[31]

References

1. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/am-i-a-real-designer-if-im-not-licensed
2. https://www.cidq.org/why-ncidq-certification-matters
3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm#tab-2
4. https://www.cidq.org/exams
5. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm#tab-4
6. https://www.asid.org/belong/become
7. MacKenzie Cain. Interior Designer & LEED Green Associate. Expert Interview. 7 April 2020.
8. https://www.cidq.org/paths
9. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-interior-design-software-programs
10. https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-to-become-an-interior-designer
11. https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/what-you-need-to-know-about-
plywood
12. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides
13. https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-to-become-an-interior-designer
14. https://blog.academyart.edu/keeping-up-with-design-trends-top-best-practices/
15. MacKenzie Cain. Interior Designer & LEED Green Associate. Expert Interview. 7 April 2020.
16. https://www.graphicdesigndegreehub.com/faq/how-does-a-graphic-designer-keep-up-with-
design-trends/
17. https://www.aiga.org/4-easy-steps-to-create-a-beautiful-design-portfolio
18. https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-to-become-an-interior-designer
19. https://www.usnews.com/education/learn-interior-designer-guide
20. https://www.cidq.org/paths
21. https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-to-become-an-interior-designer
22. https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-to-become-an-interior-designer
23. https://www.cidq.org/paths
24. https://www.cidq.org/paths
25. https://www.cidq.org/schedule-exams
26. https://www.cidq.org/scoring-process
27. https://ccidc.org/becoming-a-certified-interior-designer/
28. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm#tab-4
29. https://www.cidq.org/paths
30. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/am-i-a-real-designer-if-im-not-licensed
31. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/am-i-a-real-designer-if-im-not-licensed
Advertisement