With rapid urbanisation, space management in becoming an essential requirement, especially in big cities. As more and more people move to the cities, spaces available at hand are fast reducing, making people hire interior designers, to make most of the space that one has managed to buy or rent.
The profession of an Interior designer involves basic principles of managing apartment/house/office spaces with ideal furniture and other necessary and fashionable stuff to make the décor of the establishment appealing and structured.
Aspirants can pursue a degree or diplome in interior designing from a recognised college. There are a number of interior designing colleges in India which offer the quality education and training so enable learners visualise and create designs of interior spaces.
There is more to interior design than just outfitting a space
Like many “creative” professions, the intricacies of interior design as a profession aren’t understood enough. It isn’t unusual for someone with an aesthetically-outfitted home, office or workspace to be often told that they could have had a very successful career as an interior designer. Needless to say, a flair for creating nice spaces is a crucial skill for an interior designer. But, by no means, is it enough. Attributes such as project management abilities, strong client servicing skills and an entrepreneurial attitude are equally important for success. Creativity, an artistic flair, and an ability to visualise a design conceptually, are obvious skills required. Interior designers also need to have a good understanding of material, colours, lighting aspects, and their influence on spaces and people. Increasingly, there is also a demand for designers who can create interiors that are in harmony with nature or those who can leverage technology optimally to design smart homes.
Interior design is a curious combination of networking, marketing, selling, knowing the right people, paperwork and last but not the least design.
Skills essential for success in interior design career
Colour Balancing skills are a must which included ability to match colours as well as to understand the colours effects on space and mood. Commitment to Client Services comes next. Without brilliant client service you cannot make it far. One also needs to be prepared to answer questions, often uncomfortable, and develop a long-term relationship with customers. Communication Skill is now an essential requirement for any profession. Interior designers must communicate well with a host of people including his or her clientele, vendors, and others. Familiarity with Codes, Good Problem Solving Skills, Knowledge of Fabrics, styles and Trends and a sense of Creativity are what completes the profile.
An interior designer has a strong sense of creativity and can easily generate new ideas for designs. Space planning, strong computer Skills are added advantages.
Top interior design colleges in India
1. National Institute of Design (NID)
Courses Offered-
Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD): Four-year programme offered in eight disciples at Ahmedabad campus.
Disciplines offered: Animation Film Design, Ceramic & Glass Design, Exhibition Design, Film and Video Communication, Furniture and Interior Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, Textile Design
Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Design (PGDPD): Two to two-and-half (2.5) year programmes offered in 17 disciplines in all the three campuses.
2. Symbiosis Institute of Design
Courses Offered-Communication Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Design and Textile Design, Fashion Communication
3. Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati
Courses Offered-Bachelors of Design, Masters of Design, PhD in Design
4. Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
Courses Offered- Masters of Design, PhD in Design
5. Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology
Courses Offered-
Technical Diploma Program in Graphic Design, Duration: One year
Foundation Studies Program in Art & Design, Duration: One year
Undergraduate Professional Diploma Program in Art & Design, Duration: Three year
Postgraduate Advanced Diploma Program, Duration: One or Two years
PhD Program
6. MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID)
Courses Offered- Industrial Design, Communication Design
7. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Courses Offered- Master of Design, Bachelor Programme in Design (Fashion Communication)
8. School of Planning and Architecture
Courses Offered- Master of Urban Design, Master of Design (Industrial Design)
9. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)
Courses Offered- Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), Masters of Design
10. D J Academy of Design (DJAD)
Courses Offered-
Undergraduate programme in Industrial and Communication Design (4 Years)
Post Graduate programme in Industrial and Communication Design (2-3 Years)
Five-year integrated programme in Design (5 Years)
Job Opportunities
After completing the course/s in design one can work independently as a freelancer, launch his/her own company or join a design firm. Companies like Homelane, Urban Ladder, Bonito Designs, Livspace and Inch offer lucrative jobs for interior designers.
In our country, the salary of an interior designer depends mainly on the brand he/she is working for and years of experience. On an average the salary of a beginner varies between Rs. 30,000 to Rs.40,000 per month. The experienced ones, on the other hand, take home nearly Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 3,000,000 per annum.
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