What Do You Need to Study to Become an Interior Designer?

Interior Design is a field that’s really taken off in recent years, thanks to its knack for blending practicality with aesthetics to craft spaces that are both functional and visually appealing. The role of an interior designer encompasses more than just planning, designing and decorating interiors. It also involves meeting the needs and tastes of users by transforming spaces into unique, personalised environments that reflect the personality and lifestyle of those who live or work there.

If you’d like to dive deeper into what interior design involves, do have a look at our previous blog post on the SHIFTA website.

Interior Design covers a broad spectrum of specialisations, with some key ones including:

Residential Design focuses on creating liveable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing spaces for private homes. Interior designers specialising in this area collaborate closely with homeowners to grasp their requirements and transform spaces into cosy, tailored abodes.

Commercial Design centres on developing spaces for retail outlets, restaurants, and hotels. The aim is to fashion environments that appeal to both customers and staff, while adhering to functional and safety standards.

Workspace Design aims to build functional and productive settings for offices. In this realm, interior designers team up with companies and employees to create areas that encourage collaboration, creativity, and well-being among the workforce. This involves space planning, choosing ergonomic furniture, proper lighting, and incorporating elements that foster a positive work atmosphere.

As you’ve likely gathered, becoming an interior designer requires more than just talent and creativity, but also proper qualifications in the discipline. An interior designer must possess technical knowledge in areas like technical drawing, 3D modelling, and image rendering.

Moreover, they need to be proficient in various computer-aided design (CAD) software and well-versed in the technical and construction principles of the trade.

Studying Interior Design opens the door to exploring topics such as spatial planning, material selection, lighting, and colour theory, among others.

To become an interior designer, it’s essential to have a solid education that hones both the technical and creative skills required for the job. We recommend pursuing a degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture, which provide targeted training in design theory, technical drawing, CAD software usage, and project management. Alternatively, you could opt for a degree in Architecture or Fine Arts with a specialisation in Interior Design. These closely related courses will help you develop a versatile profile as an interior designer, ready to tackle a wide array of projects.

For greater specialisation in interior design and to gain specific skills, you might consider a dedicated master’s programme, such as SHIFTA’s Master in Interior Design, which offers a deeper understanding of areas like conceptual design, architectural visualisation, and space management.