What You Need to Know About an Interior Design Degree

Interior designers greatly influence people's lives by creating the surroundings in which their clients live, work, and play. The may work with architects and builders to design the interiors of office buildings, restaurants, and custom-built houses, as well as with individual clients to develop the homes of their dreams.

Here's what you need to know to pursue an interior design degree.

Interior Design Degree Coursework
There are a variety of courses offered through traditional programs or by earning your interior design degree online. The curricula in most interior design degree programs generally feature courses in:

• Art history
• Art theory and criticism
• Drawing, drafting, color, and basic design principles
• Space planning
• Construction
• Safety and building codes
• Computer-aided design (CAD)

Types of Interior Design Degrees
If you're interested in pursuing an interior design degree, you have the choice of earning a comprehensive interior design degree or a specialty degree in interior design. They include:

• Associate of science in interior design. An associate's degree in interior design generally takes two years and prepares you with the foundation to begin working in the interior design field as an assistant after graduation or to further pursue a bachelor's degree in interior design.
• Associate of science in kitchen and bath design. Kitchens and baths are the most used rooms in any house and typically offer the most resale value of any other room. Professionals in this interior design specialty learn to transform a regular kitchen or bath space into a luxurious, high-end masterpiece.
• Bachelor of science in interior design. Bachelor's degrees in interior design are generally four-year degrees that give students the tools they need to succeed as independent interior designers or designers with an agency.
• Master of fine arts (MFA) in interior design. Two-and-a-half year MFA degrees in interior design often mix studio work with a comprehensive course of academics. Most curricula integrate theory, design, and technology and may include hands-on work in an interior design firm or corporate department.

General interior designers may also choose to earn optional certifications in residential kitchen and bath design from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). There are several different levels of certification that interior design professionals can receive through the organization's training seminars and certification exams.

Career Opportunities in Interior Design
Interior design degrees open up a world of professional options. In addition to being an interior designer for a large firm, a corporation or running your own interior design firm, job opportunities include:

• Facility Manager
• Sales Representative
• Set Designer
• Space Planner

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for interior designers are expected to grow 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. With homeowners, business owners and builders' growing interest in sustainability, there's also a wealth of potential for interior designers who specialize in "green" design.

Interior Design Salaries
The mean annual wage for interior designers was $51,990 in 2009, according to the BLS. Individuals holding degrees in interior design can expect the highest levels of employment and salaries in the following industries:

• Specialized design services: $52,400
• Architectural, engineering and related services: $56,060
• Furniture stores: $48,510
• Building material and supplies dealers: $45,930

For creative, busy professionals, earning an interior design degree online can create many new opportunities in the design field.