INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAMS: SCALING CAREER HEIGHTS

17 Jul 2024

Be An Interior Designer: Programs, Courses, Roles, Responsibilities and Future Prospects

LET US UNDERSTAND

What Is Design? Is it subjective or objective? Design is an idea, a concept for a product, space, or intangible object. Design lets you empathize with users, experience their pain and gain points, user perceptions; this helps you understand what works best for them. The designer ideates the impression based on user feedback and develops concepts. Designing is both rewarding and challenging at the same time. Design is intentionally created for the user by the user. Donald A. Norman, the author of 'Living with Complexity,' mentioned, "We must design for the way people behave, not for how we would wish them to behave." Understanding the user's cognitive aspect is critical for crafting the experience. The most essential questions while designing a product or a space are fundamental: What, When, and How? The designer is like a storyteller. Every human seeks a story behind any developed product or space. People are always curious about how, what, and why a certain thing has developed in a particular way.

Interior design as a profession is never limited to the design of spaces. It's also more about its functionality, trends and forecasting, concept building, research and innovation, user experiences that drive the design, material assessments, site contexts, building codes, interior environment, building crafts, and more.

At Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, we create Interior designers, who are professional experts responsible for multitasking like project planning, concept built up and design, seamless execution work to create aesthetics and functional spaces. The roles and responsibilities of a designer are diverse, covering numerous aspects of design development, project management, client handling and more. Below discussed are a few responsibilities of the designer, one has to abide by after pursuing the degree.

● Client Management:

Organizing client interactions to understand their needs, preferences, and vision for the space.

● Concept Development:

To develop design ideas and concepts based on input provided, incorporating ingenuity and state-of-the-art ideas. Further creating mood boards, sketches, or presentations to visually communicate the design pitch.

● Space Planning:

To analyze and evaluate the spatial layout to optimize form and functionality and to ensure free flow and movement. Creating furniture layouts, activity charts, and zoning diagrams to ensure maximum utilization. Next step is to co-relate color schemes, material selection, furniture, lighting, and other decor elements to create a cohesive design and to ensure the design aligns with the intended purpose.

● 3D Modeling and Visualization:

After approval of the concepts, for better visualization, the designer develops 3D models and renderings that help client envision the space.

● Material Selection and Estimation:

To choose suitable materials and finishes, and furnishings considering its durability, function, aesthetics and budget constraints. To develop and create a financial plan for the project, including costs for materials, labor, and other miscellaneous expenses. To source cost-effective and sustainable materials without compromising on quality or integrity.

● Project Management:

To collaborate and coordinate with multiple stakeholders likes architects, designers, contractors, site supervisors, labors to ensure the smooth implementation. Also to oversee the process, handling timelines and addressing any on site issues.

● Building Codes and Regulations:

Remain up to date on industry standards, safety requirements, and local building codes. To verify that the design conforms with safety regulations and regulatory requirements. Integrate sustainable design concepts by advocating for energy-efficient solutions and using eco-friendly materials. Encourage the use of ecologically friendly design techniques.

● Adaptability:

Based on the particular needs of each project, adjust to various design philosophies, client preferences, and project scopes. The designer must remain adaptable and willing to make changes in response to client input and changing project requirements. Keep informed on developments in developing technologies, new materials, and industry trends. To improve abilities, look for possibilities for professional development, go to workshops, and get certified.

● Ethical and Professional Conduct:

To uphold the moral values and ethical conduct by being discreet, fair in the entire design process, respecting privacy, and acting professionally. Prioritize the well-being, happiness and satisfaction of customers throughout.

● Post-Occupancy Evaluation:

To conduct evaluations post project completion to assess the functionality and success of the design. And to address any post-installation issues and ensure client satisfaction.

Interior design is a growing domain, which in current scenario has become more urbane, w.r.t to the complexity of the task and design problems one has to cater and offer more interdisciplinary solutions. Pursuing a degree in interior design offers a wide array of career opportunities. For specialization in this field, the student may opt for a wide range of courses like a Diploma, B.Sc. Interior Design, B.Design, or any super specialization course. Below listed are a few work areas the designer can opt for.

● Spatial Designer

The most conventional path any interior designer opts for is to become a spatial designer. The student can work on functional spaces like residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors. They can also opt for technical spaces like set design, exhibition designs, and production units. The designer can also specialize in one of these areas and pursue a career.

● Design Consultant

The designer can collaborate with any specific brand/ manufacturer to sell their product. For example, for kitchen or bath design or accessories, the company seeks a designer who can visualize the design for the client and help them sell the product. The designer helps the client to understand the best fit.

● Product Designer

The designer can also explore opportunities in furniture or accessory designs like lighting design or universal design options. The designer might have to do a specialization course or develop skills to achieve the desired results.

● Research and Innovation

The designer can plan to strengthen skills further to develop a new product or innovative design by conducting in-depth research using qualitative or quantitative methods. The designer can collaborate with a firm to produce data or can do it independently. The research will help the audience understand the latest trends, data analysis, forecasting, and how industrialization impacts the process.

● Writer/ Blogger

Every creator needs a story. The designer's task isn't restricted to developing and implementing the design but also includes writing about it. The designs get further published into magazines and blogs for others to take inspiration from and acknowledge the work done. The designer also writes about another designer's work for compilation or motivation purposes. They can also write about traditional designs and methods from which people can take inspiration.

● Design Educator

The designer can also pursue a career in education and academics. People learn from experiencing things by themselves or from the experiences of others. The designer can narrate their struggles, how they managed to bridge the gap between education and industry, and how innovative concepts can be developed and implemented.

● Entrepreneur

The designer can work all by themselves to create designs and execute them. They can take up individual projects, develop their own team and work on it. The process might take time to create a brand name in the market, but it also provides a lot of flexibility and opportunities and most importantly growth.

Let us now know about the B.Sc. Interior Design syllabus. The syllabus is an inclusive guide that covers an array of themes such as introduction and fundamentals of design, color theory, layout and planning, furniture design, and material selection – estimation, elements of history, sustainability, and industry trends. The syllabus includes digital modules on presentation, 3D designs and modeling, and computer-aided design (CAD). Students also engage in hands-on workshops to apply theoretical knowledge to practical conditions, fostering originality, creativity and critical thinking.

This blog post places a strong emphasis on design as a concept, and craft meaningful experiences. The profession of interior design emphasizes its scope beyond the aesthetics of physical spaces. Functionality, trends, idea development, research, and innovation are some of the topics it addresses. The blog recommends future prospects of a degree in interior design which can be gained after pursuing the degree : B.Sc. Interior Design (3 years), B.Design - Interior Design (4 years) courses and includes a list of possible specializations.