It is possible to become an interior designer without attending an interior design school, but you will need to have 7,040 hours of applicable work experience prior to taking your certification exam. Likewise, those who have an associate's degree need 5,280 hours of work experience and those with a bachelor's degree require 3,520 hours.
One of the best interior design schools is the Pratt Institute in New York City. This interior design school focuses on academic art theory, artistic design and placement coursework (during the senior year). According to their website, "It is widely acknowledged that interior design education, as it is taught across the United States, began at Pratt.
That so many of our alumni are found in the Who's Who of Interior Designers is no surprise. The Interior Design program is consistently ranked among the top in the country in an annual independent professional survey." Courses range from designs color and lighting, to architectural drawing and building, to office management and portfolio development. Pratt focuses on preparing students for a competitive job market.
The New York School of Interior Design is another one of the interior design schools to consider. Even though this is a "young" interior design school (started in 1916), the coursework is more versatile than other schools. There are two undergraduate degree programs.
For instance, the 132-credit bachelor of fine arts in interior design and the pre-professional 66-credit associate in applied science in interior design. Additionally, a 24-credit non-degree program is offered ("Basic Interior Design") to help an aspiring professional develop a portfolio to seek further study or entry-level work.
At the other end of the spectrum, there is a 60-credit Master of Fine Arts program focusing on advanced history, theory and methods research.
To read more Making Choices From The Better Interior Design Schools
