It seems that the interest in interior design training as a career choice is increasing in popularity. Consumers naturally want the best that their money can buy and some kind of assurance that those providing the service are qualified and accountable to someone if things go wrong.
There are many dedicated individuals who work diligently to increase public awareness of interior design while developing the profession to where it is today. This article examines the education, training, examination and licensing of interior designers in North America and the minimum standard of training they must attain for a professional practice.
Interior Designers
Interior designers are design professionals and are now licensed to practice. In order to call yourself a design professional, you will have to obtain a qualified education, experience and training with a professional, pass relevant examinations and be registered in the state you reside in order to practice. This profession is an ever changing field and has become more specialized. The right education and training is a critical element.
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
The interior design training curricula within North America are evaluated and certified by an organization called the Council for Interior Design Accreditation formerly FIDER (Foundation of Interior Design Research Education). It conducts an accreditation process that promotes a very high standard of education in ID principles and practices taught in universities and colleges. The education and training may be from two to four years. If your interest lies in commercial work, a bachelors degree is the minimum. At least two years plus experience and training within the field is then required. It can be more depending on the number of years of education.
NCIDQ
After graduation and a combination of six years of training and work experience under the supervision of a professional, one is then qualified to sit the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination. Passing these examinations qualifies you for registration as a professional. This certifies a interior designers competency and is considered the highest standard within the industry.
Online Interior Design Schools Correspondence courses or distance learning is a relatively new alternative to the traditional training of interior designers. The curriculum should be scrutinized to ensure that it is equal to or exceeds Council for Interior Design accreditation. If you do follow this path, be prepared for the testing to follow and the strict standards of the profession.
Conclusion
What does this all mean to the consumer? Licensing ensures that the interior designers have not only creative abilities, but also have a formal education and are competently trained to guide the consumer through the design process. Not all states have interior design regulations and so it is the responsibility of the consumer to ask whether the interior designer has passed the NCIDQ examination. There is every reason why the consumer should demand the best.