You can’t take away the huge role played by an interior designer in decorating our houses, offices, or even establishment such as bars, coffee shops, and the rest. An interior designer basically decorates the interior design of our homes and offices to suit our tastes. Interior designing has become a lucrative profession and is now studied in school, In this article, we would be listing out the Best Interior Design Schools In The World.
You can become an interior designer by applying to any of these schools that would be mentioned below or better still become an apprentice in an already established firm and master the skills that would make you successful in the business.
In this article, you’ll get to learn about interior design, its best schools, programs, etc. In addition, this content will expose you to strategies that will help you make quicker and better choices.
However, before we talk about these schools, let’s answer some specific questions about interior design.
What is Interior Design?
Interior design can be defined as the process of upgrading or magnifying the beauty and arrangement of a particular place. the beauty of the interior design is any kind of material can be used ranging from wood and paint.
Before now interior designs were done by architects that were involved in raising a building but today the situation is white different, innovations that are rising daily have made interior design a field on its own.
Types of Interior Decoration
There are different types of interior design suitable for a particular environment or industry.
The type of design used for a bedroom would not be the same that would be used for an office or even still a coffee shop.
So every design has a place it is best applied.
Therefore let’s take a look at the types of designs;
Residential: This is basically a design that is specifically used in designing housing or private apartments. these designs cut across different styles and patterns as individual tastes differ.
Commercial: These are designs that are suitable for commercial establishments such as offices, shops, sports halls, hospitals, restaurants, bars, etc.
This is the type of design where interior designers face a bigger challenge as they most satisfy the taste of many people.
If you work at an establishment and the interior design does not appeal to you, that might be the last time you would visit the place. So interior designers take all this into consideration before embarking on a design for commercial purposes.
Elements of Interior Design
According to collaborativepractice.com, certain elements are necessary for producing an astounding design. They outlined seven of them which include;
Space
Space is an important element that helps determine the structure of your decoration. Categorically, space has been divided into negative and positive space. The difference beckons on negative space being an empty space while positive space contains objects.
The use of these spaces will vary according to the client’s taste and the designer’s perspective. Consequently, proper use of space is one astounding skill that sets out excellent designers from average ones.
Line
Lines are a basic element that determines the aesthetic nature of a place. These lines cut across horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines.
The incorporation of these lines will spark a certain sense of arrangement and can manipulate the spacing of the room.
Form
In interior decoration, forms refer to hard lines which are either geometric or natural. In addition, they can also be objects which are enclosed.
The inclusion of similar shapes will bring balance and improve aesthetics.
Light
Primarily, lighting rides at the top of the list when considering the style of decoration you should use. I believe no one would appreciate a space without enough light.
Most times, artificial lighting settings can be included however preference for natural light is considered.
Color
Of course, colors give a soothing feeling to a room. Whether exhibited in painting or wallpapers, colors are actually determined by the type of activity that will be executed in that space.
In conclusion, research has shown that lighter colors are better preferred in residential areas than in corporate offices.
Texture
Texture in design has to do with the impression that an environment expresses. In essence, it is how an individual can perceive what happens in the environment by looking at the design.
Designers understand this aspect of their work and pay attention to what’s missing in the space.
Pattern
The pattern is the totality of the arrangement that occurs within a space. As a matter of fact, it’s what distinguishes two designs used in similar environments.
Awesome designers never stick to one pattern as it can become boring. Therefore, versatility is key to building a strong career in interior design.
Who is an Interior Designer?
An interior designer is a person that improves the beauty and nature of an environment. They basically give our establishments a facelift that would be appealing and attractive to the eyes.
Interior designers work in diverse environments ranging from museums, corporate offices, and schools down to residential apartments.
For this reason, their importance cannot be overemphasized. And if you’re convinced it’s the path you wish to follow, let’s get you a list of some basic skills you need to have.
What skills do I need to become an Interior Designer?
.
You can become an excellent interior designer when you possess a basic skill set.
Technically, your skill sets will increase your creativity in addition to expanding your eye for detail.
The necessary skill sets include;
Artistry
Combination of colors
Creativity
Organization
Interpersonal skills
Integrity
How much does an Interior Designer Earn?
I guess you would want to know how much money a designer collects as his paycheck as well as how often he does that.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, an interior designer can earn as much as $53,370 per year.
However, your earnings will be affected by your country as well as your area of specialization.
What are the available Interior Design programs?
You can pursue interior design as a field of study under diverse programs. Basically, these programs are sectioned into;
Associate Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctorate Degree
Certificate & Diploma
Associate Degree
An associate degree program is a post-secondary education program. In essence, this is your first two years in a bachelor’s program.
Interior design students pursuing an associate degree will need to complete 60-64 hours of study. In addition, they must possess a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
Interestingly, you get qualified to work as a design assistant after you have completed this degree. But you need to possess a bachelor’s degree so as to meet entry-level positions.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor degree will give you the necessary technical skills used in designing. Moreso, you get to learn about business skills.
You get to build codes and understand design theory as well as communication techniques under the bachelor’s degree program.
Master’s Degree
Funnily enough, individuals who are not designers can enter the field through this program.
Essentially, students get to write a project in a certain design area. They can specialize in their interested area of design.
Doctorate Degree
You are prepared to lecture interior design at this level. In addition, you get to conduct design research and study a lot of literature.
Conclusively, you get to lecture interior design at the University or work in the Ministry.
Certificate Programs
It is important to note that certificate programs have diverse requirements. However, you need to possess a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree at the least.
Finally, a lot of these programs have two years of coursework in addition to 60 hours of classes.
How do you choose a good Interior Design Program?
If you want to choose an interior design program, you may need to consider certain factors.
These factors you’ll consider will basically revolve around your time, money, and pursuit.
As a matter of fact, your academic qualifications will play a bigger role in influencing your decision.
You need a higher school diploma at the least to enter an associate program. Similarly, you need a higher school diploma and a minimum level of CGPA in order to get into a bachelor’s program.
A Master’s program and a Ph.D. program share similar requirements such as thesis and coursework.
15 Best Interior Design Schools in the World
As expected, a lot of the schools where you can study interior design are located in Europe and America. Most of the universities share similar courses while others have a different outlines.
Therefore, here are the top 15 interior design schools in the world;
15. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded in 1885 by a couple of names Leland and Jane Standford. Interestingly, the school was named after the child whom they had lost the past year.
After the founders died, the University struggled to maintain its standard. On another hand, the provost encouraged the students by promoting entrepreneurial programs.
There are three traditional schools which consist of forty academic departments. In addition, there are four professional schools that focus on graduate programs.
Today, Stanford University is popularly known for its funding of startups and entrepreneurial programs. Moreso, they have created over 5 million jobs through their businesses.
In 2019, the institution was ranked 4th among the universities around the world by SCImago Institutions Rankings. Additionally, Times Higher Education recognized Stanford as one of the world’s “six super brands” on its World Reputation Rankings
Conclusively, when you talk about amazing interior design schools, Standford cannot be left out.
Graduation Rate
95%
Tuition
$70,476 per year
Location
450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
14. Chelsea School of Arts
This University is a college in the popular Univerity of Arts, London. Moreso, the college is recognized for its excellence and promotion of art.
Chelsea College offers education courses in graphic design and spatial and textile design. Notably, these programs are taught up to the Ph.D. level.
The Hammersmith School of Art merged with the Chelsea School of Art in 1908. As expected, this merger caused them to diversify into more areas and expand their reach.
Interestingly, there are three exhibition centers in the college. They include; Chelsea Space, The Parade Ground, and the Triangle Gallery.
Graduation Rate
N/A
Tuition
£22,920 per year
Location
16 John Islip St, Westminster, London SW1P 4JU, United Kingdom
13. Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university founded in 1869. Funnily enough, the University started as a research institute.
On the main campus of this school, you have access to over 200 majors for undergraduate students, and 69 master and doctoral degree programs. As a matter of fact, this University has the fourth-largest student body of any university in the United States.
There are five campuses in this school which comprise of; Purdue mall, memorial mall, south campus, west campus, and stadium avenue.
Graduation Rate
73%
Tuition
$45,784 per year
Location
610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
12. Rhode Island School of Design
This school is a private design college in Rhode Island. Rhode Island was founded in 1877 and has made giant strides in education.
Consistently, they have been ranked among the best institutes for art and design.
RISD is popularly ranked as the top art and design school in the United States. Therefore, this makes it one of the top choice institutes for design students to study.
In conclusion, RISD was listed among Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges in 2018 in addition to being ranked 4th by the QS World University Rankings amongst Art & Design programs.
Graduation Rate
87%
Tuition
$72,780 per year
Location
2 College St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
11. New York School of Interior Design
NYSID was founded in 1916 in the neighborhood of New York City that focuses on interior design.
As expected, this school runs several programs. These programs run from the Bachelor, and master down to the Doctorate degree.
Over the past five years, NYSID has been ranked in the top five interior design schools in the States.
Graduation Rate
44%
Tuition
$1,060 per credit
Location
170 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021, United States
10. Visual College of Art & Design
Vancouver College of Art & Design is a profit career college located in Canada. In this institution, they offer diploma programs ranging from interior design to animation.
Conclusively, the institute runs programs in courses such as graphic design, fashion, etc.
Graduation Rate
64%
Tuition
$41,895 per year
Location
Segal Graduate School of Business, 626 W Pender St #500, Vancouver, BC V6B 1V9, Canada
9. Taylor University
This institution was founded in 1864 and is recognized as the oldest evangelical college in the country. Notably, this university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges.
You can get enlisted into any of the 90 undergraduate programs with a major focus on science and education.
In conclusion, the residence halls in these institutions have been recognized for being comfortable.
Graduation Rate
74%
Tuition
$34,114 per year
Location
236 W Reade Ave, Upland, IN 46989, United States
8. Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private university with its primary location being Brooklyn.
The institute has six high-ranking schools in both undergraduate and master’s degree programs.
The school of arts has the Department of Foundation Art, Art and Design Education, and Department of Design Management.
Graduation Rate
63%
Tuition
$51,754 per year
Location
Brooklyn, New York, United States
7. Auburn University
This institute is a public research university located in Alabama. Interestingly, Auburn is the second-largest university in Alabama.
The university has a host of campuses with similar housing models. As a matter of fact, its student housing system is regarded as one of the best in the U.S.
The U.S. News & World Report ranks Auburn as the 104th-best national university overall in the U.S.
Graduation Rate
71%
Tuition
$45,625 per year
Location
Auburn, AL 36849, United States
6. Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD is a non-profit institute located in Georgia, Atlanta, France, and some other countries.
The University has been notably recognized as one of the highest-enrolling institutes. Moreso, it enrolls over 13,000 from across the United States.
An amazing campus bubbling with life in addition to an awesome line of programs makes it one of the best interior design schools in the world.
Graduation Rate
65%
Tuition
$37,575 per year
Location
516 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401, United States
5. Marywood University
Marywood University enrolls over 3,400 students in its various choice programs. As a requirement, all students must complete a core curriculum in the liberal arts in addition to the courses in their major.
The campus buildings are known for their beautiful designs which are similar to the housing facilities.
Graduation Rate
69%
Tuition
$52,462 per year
Location
2300 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18509, United States
4. Interior Design School, London
The Interior Design School is a professional teaching school. Moreso, practical lessons are the foundations of learning.
You may be wondering what makes this institute so exceptional that it takes the 4th position in our list of best interior design schools. In reality, it’s nothing exceptional.
The interior design school touches on important areas of the subject thereby creating room for improvement and creativity.
Graduation Rate
N/A
Tuition
N/A
Location
1A Sheldon Square, Paddington, London W2 6PY, United Kingdom
3. Salem College
Salem College is a private women’s college located in North Carolina. This school admits men of 23 and above although it’s a women’s college.
This college offers several graduate degrees in education and is known as the hub of Women Writers.
Graduation Rate
65%
Tuition
$42,266 per year
Location
601 S Church St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
2. Florence Design Academy
This academy was founded in 2008 and is regarded as one of the best interior design schools in Europe.
Under its design program, the academy offers a lot of programs ranging from bachelor to PhD programs.
FDA continues to grow stronger and stronger matching creativity with practical and useable designs.
Graduation Rate
N/A
Tuition
$664-1,340 per month
Location
Borgo Ognissanti, 9, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
1. Converse College
This is a liberal art Master’s University located in South Carolina, United States. In this institution, women are surprisingly higher than men in number.
The Arts & Design department of the school has notably recorded a good number of outstanding achievements.
In conclusion, notable alumni of the institution is Julia Klumpke. A well-known concert violinist and composer
Graduation Rate
60%
Tuition
$21,820 per year
Location
580 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29302, United States
Recap Best Interior Design Schools In The World
- Converse College
- florence design academy
- Salem college
- Interior design school, London
- Marywood university
- Savannah college of art and design
- Auburn university
- Pratt Institute
- Taylor university
- Visual college of arts and design
- Newyork school of interior design
- Rhodes island of design
- Purdue university
- Chelsea school of arts
- Standford university
FAQs
Who is an Interior Designer?
An interior designer is an individual who upgrades the beauty of an environment using different elements.
Do I need the education to become an interior designer?
Even though, you don’t need to be educated to become an interior decorator; what is worth doing is worth being excellent at. So, education will give you that excellence.
How much does it cost to attend an interior design school?
The price ranges differ due to policies and structure. You can check the article written above to make a great choice.
Which program can I pursue in an interior design school?
There are a plethora of options available to you depending on your qualifications. However, you can go for an associate degree with a high school diploma.
Conclusion
As an interior designer, you’re in a market space that is highly competitive. For this cause, you have to up your game always.
In doing this, you don’t have to work yourself out, you only need to learn from individuals who are more experienced than you.
That being said, if you’re looking for flexibility in work, interior designing is an area that should interest you.
