Our five-pronged approach focuses on your individual strengths to develop your unique qualities towards making you an exemplary pi- designer.
Ashita Kulshreshtha
13/01/2025
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Overview
This article gives an overview of the basic requirements and minimum eligibility to pursue interior design education in India in 2025. It highlights the competitive nature of today's job market and reaffirms the need for skills beyond theoretical knowledge to secure the first job. It is a must-read for design enthusiasts looking to pursue a career in interior design.
India's job market is evolving rapidly, and it is more important than ever to possess skills that are in high demand in the industry. Professional education is a gateway to not only acquiring a degree but also gaining relevant skills and forging a chosen career path. Bolstered by the proliferation of educational institutions, ease of credit facilities, and student aspirations, the demand for professional education has seen an uptick in the past few decades.
Table of contents
In the past decade, the Indian employment scenario has also witnessed significant transformation. Fuelled by next-generation technology like AI and IoT, an emphasis on skill development and a government thrust on education, there has been a growing preference for new-age courses like design, development studies, media studies, and many more.
Interior design is a vital part of our daily lives and influences how we live, work, play and even heal. The demand for interior design education has seen an uptick with the burgeoning population, emphasis on human-centric design spaces and shift in customer preferences. Today, top interior design companies in India are pushing the boundaries of stellar designs. If you are a design enthusiast wondering how to become an interior designer, this article will guide you.
Interior design education is more than just creating spaces; it is centred on creating an aesthetic, functional and comfortable environment tailored to clients tastes. An interior architecture and design course equips students with skills to create aesthetically pleasing and functional indoor spaces.
It is a multidisciplinary subject drawing from architecture, technology and art and a gateway to a career in interior design. Subjects in interior design blend theoretical concepts with practical components to enable an aspirant to become a skilled design professional. The following are the core components of an interior design programme.
The fundamentals of design are the foundation of every visual medium and are present in seemingly trivial details like a straight line. They form the basis of almost everything we see around us and teach us how to work on various creative assets from scratch. The basic elements of design are line, shape, form, texture and balance. The design also relies on principles such as movement, scale, proportion, contrast, hierarchy and negative space. Design fundamentals and theory are the core subjects of every design course.
Technical drawing and documentation are core components of an interior design course. They translate design ideas to reality, ensure the project is executed seamlessly, and meet clients' expectations. Technical drawings typically include floor plans, sections, elevations, and detailed specifications. These specifications communicate the designer's vision and integrate the client's expectations. They also contain a detailed set of instructions for engineers, suppliers, and contractors.
Technology has significantly widened the scope of interior designing. Beyond pen and paper, a modern-day interior designer relies on several digital software programmes, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Autodesk Revit, etc. For instance, software programmes like Coohom offers an extensive design library for furniture colours, textures, and materials. These software not only render technical precision in drawings; they enable real-time sharing and editing among teams, fostering greater collaboration and creativity.
The study of interior finishes and materials is one of the important subjects in interior design, as materials affect the aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and safety of design. Wood, marble, and stone are some of the materials used in interior design. Interior designers must transform a material found in nature into a useful object, using the principle of quality, so that its benefits can be enjoyed for a long time.
Project management is the backbone of interior design because it ensures that each assignment is delivered on time, to the client's satisfaction, and within budget. The fundamentals of project management enable designers to manage clients and a studio, improve efficiency, ensure quality control, and mitigate the chances of costly errors in various assignments.
An interior design aspirant must fulfil certain requirements to be eligible for a four-year Bachelor's degree in interior design. This section gives an overview of minimum eligibility criteria, the structure of the entrance examination, and fees for an interior designing course.
Design aspirants must possess creativity, basic design skills, attention to detail, and a passion for design. They should also have a flair for staying abreast of the latest interior design trends.
The minimum eligibility is 10+2 in any discipline with a minimum aggregate percentage of 50% marks. Although there is no bar to pursuing any discipline, subjects such as fine arts, mathematics (algebra and geometry), communication design, and computer-aided design in high school help build a solid foundation for an interior design career.
Most design schools also require students to clear an entrance exam for interior designing after 12th grade, either online or in a pen-and-paper mode, which assesses candidates' suitability for the discipline. Entrance examinations such as the NID Entrance Exam, IDAT, and UCEED judge candidates' critical thinking, basic drawing skills, visual observation, and spatial awareness. An interview and portfolio assessment usually follow the entrance exam.
Preparing for the entrance exam is a critical phase. As the first step, an aspirant must deep dive into the examination pattern and become acquainted with sections, duration, and the marking process. Practising the past few year’s mock tests is critical to getting an insight into various kinds of questions, the most frequently asked questions and the difficulty level of question papers. It is recommended to create a comprehensive study plan devoting time to basic design principles and colour theory, practice sessions for sketches and study of current affairs, with ample time for revision of all components.
Most design entrance examinations are followed by an interview and portfolio assessment. Students must curate their best work, showcasing creativity, design thinking, and technical skills in their portfolio, which can significantly improve their chances of selection into the top interior design schools. Tools such as Canva, Behance, and Pinterest are useful for designing portfolios.
The journey to becoming an interior designer is daunting yet rewarding. After completing 10+2, students should enrol in an interior design course, the duration of which typically spans four and a half years. After graduation, it is advisable to take up internships and apprenticeships to further enhance the skill set and prepare to secure a first job in the competitive industry.
Although several free interior design courses are available on the Internet, a four-year undergraduate degree is a must to become a skilled interior designer. Some of the best institutes to pursue interior design courses are located in Delhi, with qualified faculty, industry-aligned curricula, robust infrastructure, and a vibrant alumni cell. The fees for interior design courses range between ₹5 L and ₹ 20 L, and their duration ranges from 6 months to 4 years, depending upon the course chosen.
It is a four-year undergraduate course typically spanning eight semesters. The curriculum consists of design theory and principles, a history of crafts and interior design, material exposure, basic photography, interior construction, and building services.
B.Des, specialising in interior design, is the most sought-after course after Class 12th. The duration of this interior design course is 4 years. Design fundamentals, history of art and design, drawing and sketching, visual communication, and digital design tools are some of the components of the course. The curriculum blends practical learning with theoretical sessions and practice schools to help students kickstart their careers in interior design. The fees for this course range between ₹8L- ₹20L.
Diploma courses offer a quicker entry into the discipline for those looking to pursue interior design as a hobby or get into interior design soon. However, unlike the comprehensive curriculum of undergraduate courses, a diploma course offers primarily practical learning, which implies a narrower curriculum scope. They can be completed within 6 months to one year. Diploma courses in interior design are recommended for those looking for cost-effective options or pursuing interior design as a hobby rather than a full-time vocation.
The next step after selecting the suitable interior design course is choosing the right institution, which is critical in shaping a career. One must choose a college considering several factors, such as personal goals, professional factors, and budget. Here are key things to consider while zeroing in on a suitable institute.
The design school should be recognised by the law of the country where it operates and should have a strong reputation. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Board of Accreditation (NBA), Council of Architecture (COA) (for architecture-related programmes), and recognition from the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID) are some of the accreditation bodies in India. Pursuing a degree from an accredited institute boosts credibility and enhances placement prospects.
The faculty should be highly qualified, drawing from both academia and industry to give students a well-rounded perspective. The pedagogy should be interactive, ensuring that students are active participants in classroom learning.
A good design institute has strong industry connections. Industry collaborations help design students build a strong portfolio by showcasing their projects. They also generate internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students, which provide them with first-hand insight into the industry's workings. The mentorship and guidance of industry experts also foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students, which comes in handy when setting up their own design ventures.
Top interior design schools, especially in Delhi, have robust infrastructures such as design studios, 3D printing labs, model-making workshops, and advanced tools such as AR and VR. Access to collaborative spaces, exhibitions and events, masterclasses and guest lectures play an important role in honing students' skills and lending industry exposure.
Design institutes must have a good alum network and placement cell. Alumni mentor and guide students in polishing their resumes, building their portfolios and recommending various job options. Similarly, the placement cell offers access to apprenticeship and job opportunities and serves as a crucial link between students and companies. It enables students to prepare themselves according to the industry's requirements and kickstart their career in interior design.
An interior design course opens a pathway to several career paths in the industry. Interior designers are sought after by design consultancies, architectural firms, real estate companies, restaurants and hotels, set design and event management companies, hospitals, and commercial establishments. They may also work in their individual capacities as entrepreneurs and consultants.
There is no dearth of job opportunities for interior designers. After completing a course in interior design, students can choose to specialise and work in fields such as residential interior design, commercial interior design, interior decoration, and events and exhibition design.
The salary in interior design depends upon skillset, years of experience, and the location of the job. Interior designers with 0-2 years of experience can expect a salary of ₹25000-₹ 36000 per month (according to Glassdoor), which increases with experience in the field.
Interior design is in high demand due to growing awareness of the role of well-designed spaces in ensuring productivity, well-being and sustainability. Moreover, rising disposable incomes have led to people investing in luxury homes, fuelling the demand for interior designers. Retail and office spaces are increasingly hiring interior designers for their expertise in crafting aesthetic, functional and sustainable spaces that foster collaboration and productivity and boost experience.
The massive demand for interior design has also led to the rise of several design consultancies and entrepreneurs. These firms work with a diverse set of clientele, such as retail and hospitality, and undertake interior design projects for them. However, it is to be remembered that entrepreneurship requires a dynamic mindset, business acumen, and the ability to take risks.
The journey from 10+2 pass out to interior design graduate demands creativity, perseverance, and commitment to professional development. Whether for a Class 10 student or a recent school graduate, this article should be the go-to reckoner on how to become an interior designer.
Enjoyed reading this article? Author Ashita Kulshreshtha has also written about life at top fashion design colleges in India.
Looking to learn more about design? Read this article on why design matters by our celebrated design scholar, Prof. Usha Nehru Patel (Dean, Academics).
If you are a design aspirant interested in learning about the best colleges for fashion or product design, here's a comprehensive analysis for you.
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