From being a decorative art to a creative zeal to a full-fledged aspirational profession, Interior Design has come a long way since its inception. As economies rise and people’s financial capabilities increase, housing and rent are no longer the biggest issues for the upper middle class. This ease in people’s financial capability has allowed them to live in a finer, more nuanced manner. This is when Interior Design makes its entry. As its demand increases, it becomes a sought-after occupation in society, enhancing employability and giving rise to an entire industry.
Interior Design has since become a very lucrative and rewarding career, one that requires creativity, technical skills, and constant learning. It’s not just about the aesthetics, but also about the overall health and effectiveness of the place. A good interior designer will ensure that the living space looks beautiful, complements the architecture of the place, allows enough room for air to flow, and is overall healthy and good.
What is an Interior Design Course?
Interior Design, as the name suggests, is the art and science of decorating a room’s interiors in alignment with the suitability of the residents. It could be an office space design that’s more effective and professional, or it could be one’s personal living space, which is more cozy and relaxed. An Interior Design course teaches students the skills and knowledge required to transform indoor spaces into functional and aesthetically pleasing environments.
Outside of Diploma and Certificate courses, which are usually short-term, an Interior Design Bachelor’s program is an undergraduate program. A BDes in Interior and Space Design is a 4- year course in many colleges, including the Strate School of Design, Bengaluru. Some design schools also offer an MDes in Interior Design – a 2-year course.
Interior Designing Course Eligibility
To be eligible for an Interior Design course in any reputed college, you need to pass Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks across subjects. An interest and passion in Interior Design would be a good reason to pursue it, and you need to clear certain examinations and interviews conducted by those specific colleges.
For an MDes degree, you must graduate with a minimum of 50% marks in academics.
Interior Designing Course Fees in India
In India, this is the general breakdown of the fee structure of an Interior Design course:
- Certificate Courses – INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000
- Diploma Courses – INR 1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000
- BDes Courses – INR 4,00,000 to INR 26,00,000
- BA Courses – INR 60,000 to INR 4,00,000
- BSc Courses – INR 3,00,000 to INR 15,00,000
- MDes Courses – INR 6,00,000 to INR 30,00,000
Top 10 Colleges for Interior Designing in India
In no particular order, these are the top design colleges to study Interior Design:
- CEPT University
- National Institute of Design (NID)
- Pearl Academy
- Strate School of Design
- Symbiosis Institute of Design
- Amity University
- Manipal School of Architecture and Planning
- National Institute of Fashion Technology
- UPES School of Design
- Vogue Institute of Art and Design
What is the Admission Process for Interior Designing Course?
To pursue Interior Design from any design college, a student needs to get admission and pursue a BDes degree. They must be eligible by scoring 50% or more marks across academics in Class 12. Then, they need to choose a design school of their choice, such as Strate School of Design, and apply accordingly. For a design college like Strate, they will have to clear an entrance test. If they clear the test, they will have to appear for an interview or portfolio review. Upon passing all rounds, they can get admission to the college.
Just like Strate, several other design schools have their entrance tests. However, some of the other common entrance exams for a BDes Interior Design program include the CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) and the NID DAT (National Institute of Design – Design Aptitude Test). Other institute-specific exams, such as the NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and the SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design), are also available.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
The scholarships for the Interior Design course vary from one institution to another.
For example, Pearl Academy offers scholarships of up to 100% based on performance tests. NID offers a scholarship of INR 50,000 to the first-ranked student and INR 30,000 to the second-ranked student. Several other colleges offer different scholarship schemes.
17 Career Opportunities After Interior Design Course
These are the career opportunities available after pursuing an Interior Design course:
- Residential Interior Designer
- Commercial Interior Designer
- Hospitality Designer
- Healthcare Designer
- Retail Designer
- Exhibition Designer
- Set Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Lighting Designer
- Production Designer
- Kitchen and Bath Designer
- Interior Design Assistant
- Project Manager
- Visual Merchandiser
- Design Consultant
- Academician/Researcher
- Entrepreneur
To sum it all up, a career in Interior Design is a happening, challenging, and lucrative career option, whose demand is rising by the day. Fueled by the rising living standards of people in urban areas, Interior Design is getting more eclectic by the day. Several design colleges are adopting the course every day, and interested design students should consider pursuing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the eligibility requirements for Interior Design after 12th?
The eligibility required to study Interior Design after passing Class 12 is scoring a minimum of 50% marks across academics.
2. Is an entrance exam necessary for interior design?
Yes, entrance exams might be necessary for studying Interior Design, which each design college usually conducts. In rare scenarios, some colleges may accept students only based on their Class 12 marks.
3. What is the cost of studying Interior Design in India?
To study Interior Design in India at a reputable college, the cost may vary anywhere from INR 6 LPA to INR 30 LPA. It depends on the college you attend, the course you take, and your location.
4. Can I pursue Interior Designing without Maths?
Yes, you can pursue Interior Designing without Maths.
5. Is Interior Designing a good career in India?
Yes, Interior Designing, now more than ever, is a good and lucrative career option in India.
6. Which entrance exam is best for Interior Designing?
There is no ‘single’ best Interior Design college in India. The best exam depends largely on the specific college and the course you wish to apply to. The UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT, CEED, SEED, AIEED, and CUET are some of the common entrance exams for Interior Design.
7. Are there any free online Interior Design courses available?
Yes, there are many free Interior Design courses available online. They are available on platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and Alison, among others.
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