Does an interior designer have to go to college?

Answer 1

The longer and more complete and more complete answer is yes and no, depending on where one lives. The short answer is no, a college degree is not "required" to practice in the field in some way and at some level.

College study obviously provides advantages. Beyond learning basic principles and elements of design, various forms of illustrating, and basic draftsmanship, interior design students also study

1. An ever-growing number of interior materials (flooring, wall surfaces, upholstery, hardware etc.) and the acoustical, flame retardant, toxicity, durability etc. qualities of each material.
2. Building Codes
3. Barrier Free Design
4. Historical Interior treatments and furnishing (generally ranging from ancient Egypt through Classical Greece and Rome, Romanesque and Gothic opening into the Renaissance in various locales. A number of French and English historical styles follow, eventually spreading into the new American interpretations. After the Victorian era, there are at least a dozen internation modern movements that influenced what interior design includes today.
5. Both residential and commercial design. Commercial design includes a wide range of specialized interiors: medical/health care facilities, large offices using systems furnishings, hospitality work (hotels, resorts, restaurants), retail, and adapted use of historic properties.