Interior Design Education

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1 U.S.A.
2 Europe
3 Africa
4 Degree programs
5 Diploma programs
6 Certification programs
7 See also

[edit] U.S.A.

Many four year baccalaureate degrees in Interior Design exist in the United States, within major universities such as The Art Institute, Arizona State University, Northern Illinois University, University of Cincinnati, and Columbia University, or as stand-alone programs in design colleges such as Boston Architectural College. An undergraduate degree is a requirement for becoming an Interior Design professional and a masters degree is recommended.

Although masters degrees in Interior Design are less common, they are nonetheless available at a few institutions, such as Boston Architectural College, the Inchbald School of Design (in association with the University of Wales), Arizona State University, and Washington State University. Many professionals pursue advanced degrees in related subjects such as industrial design, fine art, or education. Some graduate degree prorgams in interior design do not require a bachelor's degree in a related field.

The US branch of Rhodec International offers a 60-credit Diploma Course and an Interior Design Bachelor's degree 100% by distance learning, available to students worldwide, in association with London Metropolitan University.

It is highly beneficial to complete an inetrior design degree that is accreddited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER), the primary accreditation agency for interior design education in the United States.

In the United States, most interior design schools retain the name, Interior Design, while some schools have adopted the name Interior Architecture. However such programs may or may not be comparable to programs in interior design. A practicing professional cannot use the title of "Interior Architect" unless they complete the requirements for becoming a licensed architect. As "Interior Architecture" programs are not NAAB accredited, the use of the term "architecture" is somewhat of a misnomer.

[edit] Europe

In Europe, the educational requirements differ between interior architects (considered a profession comparable to architects or structural engineers) and interior designers (considered a trade comparable to carpenters).

Traditionally in Germany, Interior Architecture has been taught at polytechnic universities or universities of applied sciences, e.g. University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart, FH Darmstadt, Fachhochschule Coburg. Baccalaureate programmes are normally three years (6 semesters) in length.

In Germany, the adaptation of the university system to the international degrees Bachelor and Master has led to a restructuring of degree programmes. Since university education has traditionally lasted at least 5 years, many Diploma programmes have been transformed into consecutive graduate Master programmes.

IMIAD (International Master of Interior-Architectural Design) is one of the first internationally orientated Masters courses in Interior Design in Europe. Part of the course takes place at a European partner institution (University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart, Germany; Edinburgh College of Art, UK; Istanbul Technical University, Turkey; Lahti Polytechnic, Finland; SUPSI - Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland) with each institution contributing its own emphasis and competences to the course. Proceeding from a Bachelor degree (B.A.), participants receive the qualification of International Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interior-Architectural Design, after the successful completion of four semesters. The IMIAD qualification is recognised by all the partner institutions. The IMIAD student will be trained for managerial duties, with particular competences in design and decision-making processes. For this, a consolidating scientific and creation course involving theory and practice in Interior Design will be offered.

In the UK, several universities and art colleges offer 3-year degree courses and 1 year MA courses in interior design. A fast-track alternative to this educational route, particularly popular with mature students, is available through the private education sector, such as the London-based Inchbald School's one-year programme, and Rhodec International's Interior Design BA(Hons) 100% by distance learning, available to students worldwide. Rhodec offer the degree in association with London Metropolitan University.

[edit] Africa

Design education has been delivered in South Africa since the 1970's and is on a par with that offered in most developed countries in the world. The Design Institute of the SABS maintains a register of reputable public and private design education institutions in South Africa. Inscape Design College one of the oldest privately-owned, multi disciplinary design colleges in South Africa, celebrates its 25th year of existence in 2006.

[edit] Degree programs

Boston Architectural College
Rhodec International in association with London Metropolitan University
School of Interior Design
Kansas State University*, College of Architecture, Planning & Design, (http://capd.ksu.edu), Manhattan, Kansas
IMIAD University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart, Interior Architecture, Stuttgart
The Art Institute Online, a Division of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh

West Virginia University offers a four year degree in Interior Design and works with Nuovo Academia de Belles Artes in Milan to offer interior design courses on its campus abroad.