Interior design improves a given space by making it more aesthetically appealing and suited for its purpose. Changes in lifestyle & patterns and growing demand for luxury home aesthetics are some of the major factors contributing to the growth of the interior design market in India. Interior Designers are in charge of assessing the required amount of space and choosing both necessary and decorative elements, such as colours, lighting, and materials, to make indoor environments aesthetically pleasing, safe, and useful. They need to be proficient in drawing, reading, and editing blueprints.
To become an Interior Designer, candidates must pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in interior design courses from top interior design colleges in India. To get into a top college, candidates are required to clear the entrance test exam such as NIFT, UCEED, AIEED and NID. The average course fee is INR 30,000 -6,00,000 depending upon the type of college. Read: Eligibility to Become an Interior Designer
Apart from the above-mentioned qualifications required to become an Interior Designer, some of the other prerequisites that must be followed to become a successful Interior Designer are, inculcating relevant skills such as aesthetic sense, creativity, eye for detail, identifying the latest trends, sketching knowledge etc.
The average salary package after completing an Interior Design course is INR 7.08 LPA. The starting Salary of an Interior Designer is INR 3.96 LPA while candidates with more than 10 years of experience can expect a salary of INR 12 LPA - 16.50 LPA.
Table of Content
- How to Become an Interior Designer: Quick Facts
- What Does an Interior Designer do
- Eligibility to Become an Interior Designer
- Interior Designer Qualifications
- Steps to Become an Interior Designer
- How to Become an Interior Designer After 12th
- Interior Designing Courses
7.1 Online Courses
How to Become an Interior Designer: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Candidate must have completed an undergraduate degree in Interior design such as B.Sc, BA, and B.Des |
| Employment Opportunities | Interior and Spatial Designer, Lighting Designer, Visual Designer, Production Designer |
| Required Skills | Autodesk AutoCAD, Design, 3D Rendering, Adobe Photoshop, Project Management |
| Starting Salary | INR 3.89 LPA onwards |
| Average Salary | INR 7.08 LPA onwards |
| Highest Salary | INR 50 LPA onwards |
What Does an Interior Designer do
Interior Designers are not only responsible for designing homes and offices but they do more than design spaces. An Interior Designer is responsible to look after various other aspects of designing a space that meets the client's requirements as per their taste and choice.
Some of the daily chores of an Interior Designer are discussed below for your reference.
- Interior Designers design for buildings, conduct research, select furniture and decor and ensure completion of all aspects.
- They interact with their clients in order to understand their requirements, budget, expectations etc.
- They use various technologies to create designs to show their clients and turn their vision into reality.
- They are also responsible for collaborating with contractors, plumbers, engineers, painters, and others to develop designs.
- Their duty also includes keeping their clients informed all the time and if any changes must be incorporated for the client’s satisfaction.
Eligibility to Become an Interior Designer
To get admission across top Interior Design colleges candidates are required to fulfil certain basic eligibility criteria. If any of the criteria are not met, it might lead to the cancellation of the application of the candidates. Some of the major essential eligibility criteria to become an Interior Designer are discussed below for your reference,
- Candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above.
- Candidates can be from any stream preferably from Science
- Candidates must clear various Design Entrance Exams such as AIEED, CEED and UCEED in order to get admission to a top interior design college.
- Candidates must pursue an undergraduate degree such as B.Des or B.Sc or BID in interior designing.
- They must create a portfolio which displays their variety of work.
Interior Designer Qualifications
There are certain prerequisites that the candidates are required to fulfil in order to pursue any profession. For pursuing a career as an interior Designer, there are some requirements that are mandatory for the candidates to fulfil. Some of the essential qualifications are listed below for your reference.
- Candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized board preferably in the science stream
- Candidates who want to pursue a diploma program can pursue the same post-completion of 10+2.
- Candidates need to appear for entrance exams in order to get admission to one of the top colleges of Interior Designing such as UCEED, AIEED, and NID entrance exam.
- Candidates can choose to pursue an undergraduate designing course such as BA in Interior Design, B.Sc in Interior Design.
- Candidates can also pursue various short-term certification programs in order to enhance their skills.
- To gain more knowledge about Interior Designing, candidates can also pursue a master's degree in Interior Designing such as MSc in Interior Designing, and MBA in Interior Designing.
Steps to Become an Interior Designer
There are certain steps that need to be followed for pursuing a career as an Interior Designer. Some of the crucial steps for becoming an Interior Designer are discussed in detail for your reference.
- Earn a Bachelor’s degree - The first and foremost step to becoming an Interior Designer is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in interior design or any other related field. This is one of the major crucial requirements as recruiters often look for candidates with advanced degrees. This will help the candidates to gain knowledge from basic to advanced levels along with the gradual development of skills. It will also include principles of design and technical implementation of designs.
- Gain relevant skills - One of the crucial steps to becoming an Interior Designer is to gain relevant skills and enhance existing skills related to designing. Candidates can pursue various certification programs for skill development. Some of the important skills are
- Computer-aided design (CAD) - Interior Designers work on computer software to create 3D designs to present a simulated model to clients. Some of the 3D software includes live interior 3D, Archicad, Sketchup, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop etc.
- Codes and building standards- It is one of the crucial requirements that an Interior Designer needs to keep themselves updated with all the state and central laws related to the building which will also help in maintaining the integrity of the project.
- Project Management- Interior Designers not only have to decorate the house but are required to oversee the project from inception. This will also include managing budgets, arranging schedules, and identifying risks for projects.
- Complete an internship - Internships help the candidates gain required knowledge and first-hand experience outside the classroom and in a corporate environment set up. Gaining internship experience from a reputable interior design firm will help candidates understand how Interior Designers work and what professional and technical techniques they employ to work efficiently. In certain cases, candidates who outperform in their internships are extended permanent employment by those firms.
- Building a portfolio - For applying to any interior designing job, it is mandatory for the candidates to build a portfolio. The portfolio will show the style and quality of work, college assignments, work accomplished as a part of an internship, and images of their projects.
How to Become an Interior Designer after 12th
To become an Interior Designer in India, candidates must prepare right from their intermediate level. Candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized board in any discipline but if the candidate wants to opt for B.Sc in Interior Designing, then the candidate must pursue higher secondary in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Post that, candidates need to prepare for the entrance exam such as UCEED, AIEED, NID, and NIFT 2023.
There are a number of undergraduate courses available for the candidates to pursue such as a BA in interior design, B.Sc in Interior Design etc. These courses will provide in-depth knowledge about interior design from the basics. It would be advisable for the candidates to pursue certification or diploma programs as it will help in the development of relevant skills which will be advantageous for the candidates in landing a high-paying job.
Post completion of the bachelor’s degree, candidates have two choices either start at an entry-level job or pursue a master’s degree. They need to clear the entrance exam in order to get to a top college to pursue a master's degree such as MA in interior design, MBA in Interior Design.
Interior Designing Courses
There are a number of Interior Design Courses after the 12th that the candidates can pursue such as diploma courses, and undergraduate courses such as BA Interior Design, B.Des Interior Design etc. Candidates have the option of pursuing a postgraduate degree. Interior Designing courses are available both online as well offline. The duration of these courses ranges between 3 months - 1 year.
Some of the courses apart from undergraduate and postgraduate are listed below for your reference,
- Certificate course in Interior Designing
- Certificate course in Architecture
- How to Work with Interior Design Styles like a Pro
- How to use Color like a Pro
- Design is in Details: How to Accessorize like a Pro.
| Parameters | BA Interior Design | BDes Interior Design | MBA Interior Design | Diploma in Interior Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years | 1 - 2 years |
| Eligibility | Candidate must have cleared 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above | Candidate must have cleared 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidate must have Physics, chemistry, mathematics as compulsory subjects |
Candidate must have completed graduation in any stream with 45% or above | Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above. |
| Top Colleges | Manipal School of Architecture Vivekananda University Arch college of design and Business |
Chandigarh University PSG College of Technology Aurora Group of Technology |
Amity Global Business School Lovely Professional University NIMS University |
Sage University ITM University JD Institute Of Fashion Technology |
| Entrance Exams | DUET CUCET |
IIT JEE VEE MHT- CET VITEEE |
CAT XAT SNAP CMAT |
MET SOFT CET NID Entrance Exam |
| Average course fees | INR 10,000 - 90,000 | INR 50,000 - 2,15,000 | INR 50,000 - 4,00,000 | INR 30,000 - 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 LPA - 5 LPA | INR 4 LPA - 6 LPA | INR 5.50 LPA - 7 LPA | INR 2 LPA - 4 LPA |
Online Courses
Apart from the regular degree courses, some of the top Interior Design Online Courses that can be pursued in order to become an Interior Designer are tabulated below.
| Course Name | Duration | Interior Design Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro | 6 hours | 455 |
| How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps | 2 hours | 455 |
| How to Use Color Like a Pro | 2 hours | 455 |
| Design is in the Details: How to Accessorize Like a Pro | 3 hours | 455 |
| The Complete Sketchup and Vray Course for Interior Design | 11 hours | 455 |
Top Interior Design Colleges
India is home to more than 715 Interior Design colleges. Out of these colleges, only 26% of the colleges are government colleges, the rest are either private colleges or deemed universities. Some of the top institutes include NID Ahmedabad, Arch Academy, JJ School of Arts, JIMS, Pearl Academy etc. The average course fees range between INR 39,000 - 5,00,000.
Some of the top interior design colleges are tabulated below for your reference.
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy | Delhi | 7.24 L |
| IMS Design and Innovation Academy | Noida | 2.62 L |
| Indian Institute of Art and Design | Delhi | 5.06 L |
| Amity University | Noida | 1.85 L |
| Apeejay Stya University | Gurgaon | 2.60 L |
| KR Mangalam University | Gurgaon | 1.45 L |
| Sharda University | Greater Noida | 1.85 L |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Bangalore | 2.50 L |
| Parul University | Vadodara | 2.25 L |
Skills Required to Become an Interior Designer
To become an Interior Designer, there are certain sets of skills which need to be inculcated that would eventually help candidates gain a stronghold not only in the subject but also in their respective job profiles. The combination of these technical and soft skills will help the candidates to perform their duties effectively.
Some of the top skills that are required to become an Interior Designer are tabulated below for your reference.
| Knowledge of drafting and drawing | Advanced knowledge of Computer-aided design (CAD) | Knowledge of tools adobe illustrator, adobe photoshop, SketchUp |
| Awareness of codes and building standards | Project Management | Knowledge of Construction methods and the elements used in the space |
| Knowledge of Materials and textures to use designing | Designing Principles | In-depth knowledge of Lighting and colour schemes |
| Creativity | Excellent Communication skills | Cost Management |
Benefits of Becoming an Interior Designer
Being an Interior Designer is considered a very classy and reputed profession. It provides a lot of experience and opportunities to learn. With the increasing standards of living of people, the demand for Interior Designers is also growing. Some of the benefits of being an Interior Designer have been mentioned below:
- Growing Industry- The interior designing industry is a huge sector with domains like residential, businesses, corporates, and events of all sizes. There is an immense possibility of growth for people who have the skills and artistic talent.
- Good Salary- Interior Designers earn a really good salary. The average salary of an Interior Designer is around INR 10 LPA and the highest salary can go up to crores. Even the freshman Interior Designer earns around INR 5 LPA - 6 LPA.
- Enhances Creativity- This field lets you enhance your artistic skills and use your creativity and imagination. This field requires using your designing and planning skills using different elements, colour patterns, design schemes, etc. to suit a client’s needs and requirements.
- Flexibility- Depending upon your employer, the working hours and schedules can be flexible to suit the designs of the Interior Designer. An Interior Designer can also work independently or in a firm which can also vary their work hours.
- Multiple Career Choice- There are many domains in the interior designing field as well. Some may find their interest in simple and straightforward homely projects while others may be interested in designing commercial projects. Interior Designers specialize in certain fields like colour selection, spatial design, landscape architecture, etc.
Interior Designer Jobs
As already mentioned above, there are various job profiles of Interior Designers based on their specialization and area of work. Some of the most pursued career bifurcations among Interior Designers are Interior decorators, Landscape architects, Lighting designers, Color consultants, etc.
The sections below will discuss the various types and their average salaries for your reference.
| Job Profile | Description | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Decorator | An Interior Decorator is a professional who designs and decorates the house according to the taste of the client in regards to paints, fabrics, furniture, etc | 6.40 L |
| Color Consultant | A Color Consultant is a professional that provides expert advice on the best colours that suit the client’s tastes and also explains which colours they should avoid using. | 2.20 L |
| Lighting Designer | A Lighting Designer is responsible for handling the lighting of a place to give it a more enhanced and grand look. | 4.00 L |
| Landscape Architect | Landscape architects are responsible for designing public places like parks, gardens, playgrounds, residential complexes, college campuses, etc. | 6.00 L |
| Commercial Interior Designer | Commercial Interior Designers are responsible for designing large-scale projects like malls, offices, museums, galleries, restaurants, etc. | 11.30 L |
Salary of an Interior Designer
According to Payscale, the average salary of an Interior Designer is INR 3.08 LPA. A number of factors play an important role in determining the salary of an Interior Designer such as experience, location, skills, company profile and job profile. Fresh graduates can expect a starting salary of INR 2.40 LPA while candidates with 5 - 8 years can expect a salary of INR 6.62 LPA.
Tabulated below is the salary of an Interior Designer based on their job profile for your knowledge.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Interior Designer | 3.00 L |
| Industrial Designer | 6.04 L |
| Design Manager | 3.63 L |
| Interior Decorator | 4.00 L |
| Home Designer | 3.05 L |
| Design Journalist | 4.00 L |
| Bedroom Designer | 3.90 L |
How to Become an Interior Designer: FAQs
Ques. How do I start as an Interior Designer?
Ans. There is no hard and fast rule or set criteria, candidates with knowledge and designing skills can pursue interior designing along with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in interior designing.
Ques. Do Interior Designers make good money?
Ans. Yes, Interior Designers make good money in India and with a couple of years of experience they can make up to INR 19 LPA.
Ques. What are the qualifications needed to become an Interior Designer?
Ans. Candidates can pursue an undergraduate degree in Interior Designing such as B.Sc in Interior Design followed by a master’s degree in Interior degree. Candidates can also pursue relevant certification courses to gain relevant skills.
Ques. Can I become an Interior Designer without the degree?
Ans. Yes, One can become an Interior Designer without a degree. This profession is more about creativity, knowledge and skills.
Ques. What are the average course fees for Interior Design courses?
Ans. The average course fee for Interior design courses is INR 30,000 - 6,00,000.
Ques. What is the highest salary of an Interior Designer?
Ans. The highest salary of an Interior Designer is INR 19 LPA.
Ques. Do I need Maths to become an Interior Designer?
Ans. No, it is not mandatory for the Interior Designer to have advanced knowledge of Mathematics but it will be beneficial to have some basic knowledge of Mathematics.
Ques. What skills do I need to become an Interior Designer?
Ans. Skills like AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sketchup, project management, and cost management are some of the important skills to becoming an Interior Designer.
Ques. Which country offers the best interior designing course?
Ans. The countries that offer the best interior designing course are the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada.
Ques. Do I need to make a portfolio?
Ans. Yes, it is mandatory as it will showcase your work, projects, skills etc for the recruiters to select you for the position.
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